7th – 9th August
Cropredy Village, nr Banbury, Oxfordshire
Seminal Folk Rockers Fairport Convention are very happy to announce the line up for their Cropredy Convention in August, and by turn marking 45 years bringing some of the biggest names in music to a quiet corner of Oxfordshire.
Taking place across the 7th, 8th and 9th of August 2025, the 3 day festival of folk, roots and rock will once again transform the bucolic village of Cropredy (as well as its hostelries, waterways and pastures) into a mecca for the discerning music lover.
Fundamentally unchanged since its inception in 1980 – and predating other outdoor behemoths such as WOMAD, Leeds and V Festival by a decade or more – Cropredy represents an opportunity to experience a pure, untainted festival experience – free of corporate sponsors, high street chains and eye-watering prices.
Still lovingly curated by the band itself, this personal touch continues to imbue the event with an atmosphere of joy and celebration – and ensures many a famous face is spotted at the festival bar or sat basking in the sunshine in front of the stage.
Having previously hosted the likes of Brian Wilson, Procul Harum, 10CC, Status Quo and Stevie Winwood – as well as lauded Fairport alumni in the form of Richard Thompson, Steeleye Span and The Albion Band – this year’s lineup sees a return to the festival’s roots.
Showcasing contemporary Folk courtesy of The Salts, Urban Folk Quartet and Plumhall; bonafide legends in the form of Albert Lee, Trevor Horn and Martin Barre’s Brief History of Jethro Tull; festival stalwarts Peatbog Faeries and King Pleasure and The Biscuit Boys; and not forgetting your hosts for the weekend, Fairport Convention, bookending proceedings with their stripped back opening set on Thursday afternoon, and epic closing finale on Saturday night.
LINE-UP
With a career now spanning 58 years, each trip around the sun herald’s another milestone for Fairport Convention. 2025 sees the band 55 years on from their seminal Full House album – featuring Simon Nicol, Dave Pegg and Dave Mattacks – all of whom will join the lineup for their obligatory Saturday night headline set. Unlike many of their peers, the band continues to sell out venues across the country – delighting both existing fans and new converts alike. With their most well-known track Who Knows Where The Time Goes now nearing 30 million streams on Spotify, Fairport Convention are the architects of British Folk Rock and true statesmen of the scene – cherished by critics, musicians and fans in equal measure.
Martin Barre
Renowned Guitarist Martin Barre was a key member of Jethro Tull from their second album in 1969, until their last in 2014. His new show – A Brief History of Tull – celebrates 50 years of the seminal British rockers and showcases the extraordinary guitar skills and innovative techniques that have made him a legendary figure in rock music. Expect classic Tull hits played throughout – including songs from legendary albums such as Thick As A Brick, Aqualung, Stand Up, Songs From The Wood, A Passion Play, Heavy Horses and many more.
The Trevor Horn Band
Expect hit after hit from one of the most influential and award-winning producers and musicians in popular music. Trevor Horn is back with his fabulous star-studded band to headline Friday night, with the added bonus of a mystery guest or two!
Albert Lee
Headlining the Thursday evening is the sensational Grammy Award-winning British guitarist, Albert Lee. Emerging from the rock ‘n’ roll scene in sixties, he is one of the most respected and renowned guitarists in music history and has worked with The Everly Brothers, Eric Clapton, Emmylou Harris and The Crickets over his long and illustrious career.
King Pleasure & The Biscuit Boys
Rough, tough and always rocking, King Pleasure & The Biscuit Boys are more than just the world’s greatest jump, jive and swing band – they’re an institution! With more than 6500 performances in 21 countries under their belt in their 30 years on the road, expect dazzling musicianship and a riveting stage performance from the Kings of Swing.
City Funk Orchestra
Featuring two of the best soul singers in the UK, in female lead Imaani (long-time lead singer with internationally acclaimed UK jazz funk legends Incognito), and from Cleveland, Ohio, the amazing Angelo Starr – brother of the legendary Edwin Starr! – City Funk Orchestra delivers a dance floor banquet for lovers of the sounds of an unsurpassable era of soul & funk music aristocracy.
Peatbog Faeries
Hailing from the Isle of Skye, the legendary Scottish trailblazers have created a glorious mixture of traditional sounds and dance-floor grooves that have been embraced worldwide. Drawing upon a dazzling myriad of influences from jigs and reels through Dance Music, Jazz, African, and more, they bring the sound of Scotland fresh-faced and breathless to the new audiences around the world.
The Deborah Bonham Band
Over the course of an impressive career, Deborah Bonham has established herself as one of the finest Blues, Rock and Soul singers that the UK has produced. A string of critically acclaimed original album releases, captivating concert performances at the Royal Albert Hall & London Palladium, and tours with Paul Rodgers, Jeff Beck and Heart’s Ann Wilson, have continually garnered rave reviews.
Rosalie Cunningham
Multi award-winning singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Rosalie Cunningham (ex Purson/Ipso Facto) released her Mercury Music Prize nominated, self titled début album in 2019 and has continued to blow audiences away ever since with her sound and distinctive stage presence.
Skipinnish
Skipinnish are a powerhouse of contemporary Scottish music and marked a remarkable voyage of 25 years in 2024. Emerging from the heart of the Scottish Highlands and Islands, the band has flourished into an iconic name in the Celtic music scene, enthralling audiences with their potent blend of traditional and modern sounds.
The Henry Girls
The Henry Girls are sisters Karen, Lorna and Joleen McLaughlin from the most Northerly part of Co. Donegal. Infused with the rich cultural heritage of their homeland, they interweave their traditional roots with contemporary elements – earning them both commercial success and spectacular critical acclaim on both sides of the Atlantic.
Bob Fox and Billy Mitchell
Two great voices, impeccable musicianship, a set full of memorable songs and infectious good humour – their mix of material is sparkling, full of punch and beautifully executed as they lead you through some of their favourite songs including Lindisfarne classics and trad folk.
Urban Folk Quartet
The Urban Folk Quartet’s approach to the folk ethos is to embrace any and every influence that genuinely makes sense of their time and place, and makes sense in their music. From funk grooves to middle-eastern melodies, afrobeat to north Indian rhythms, they are unlike any folk band you have ever heard.
Joe Broughton’s Conservatoire Folk Ensemble
The UK’s biggest folk band, the Conservatoire Folk Ensemble will be joining Fairport Acoustic on Thursday afternoon for an incredible version of The Lark Medley. The band’s touring line-up features a stage-challenging 50 members – among them are 15 horns, four cellos, six percussionists, three electric guitarists, plus fiddles, flutes, clarinets, electric bass, melodicas, acoustic guitars, and an accordion. They sing too.
El Pony Pisador
El Pony Pisador is a lively and unique band from Barcelona, known for an eclectic blend of musical styles and a humorous, adventurous spirit. Their mix of folk sounds from all over the world results in a fun and energetic sound that’s unpredictable and full of personality – ranging from their native Catalan songs and dances to Celtic and Mediterranean tunes, yodelling, Tuvan throat singing, Georgian polyphony and Balkan polyrhythms.
Plumhall
Michelle Plum and Nick B Hall – Plumhall – are an acclaimed UK songwriting duo known for their captivating vocal harmonies and exquisite acoustic guitar playing. They are no strangers to Fairport fans – as special guests on their Winter 2024 Tour and they made many friends and expect to make many more next August, as they take to the Cropredy stage with their own band, including musicians Dave and James Crickmore.
Churchfitters
Why “Churchfitters”? Nobody knows! They’re not fitters and have absolutely nothing to do with churches. When your array of instruments includes a motorcycle petrol tank, a musical saw and a Mercedes Benzouki made from hubcaps, there’s little point worrying if the name makes sense! These three flamboyant characters present their uplifting and entertaining show with a unique dynamism and describe their music as “Folk Unlimited”.
Richard Digance
Richard Digance is a BAFTA Nominated entertainer and Gold Award Recipient from The British Academy of Composers & Songwriters. He also performs in concert, composes soundtracks for audiobooks, TV soundtrack music, writes books, makes albums and paints pictures.
The Salts
The Salts perform sea shanties – songs from the sea – celebrating the maritime classics that we all know and love, alongside their own original material.
The band features five seasoned musicians collectively performing a mixture of instruments and great harmonies.
Cropredy Primary Folk Class
The opening act on Friday the 8th heralds a rather special first for the festival. For 2024, Cropredy Primary School started a folk music class and the pupils from years 4 & 6 will be entertaining the crowd with a set at noon. Cue ‘Proud Parent’ alert!
And of course, your compere for the weekend – Anthony John Clarke.
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