Anthony John Clarke

Anthony John Clarke is a Northern Irish-born singer-songwriter.   Playing solo, duo or with a band, Clarke has played at folk clubs and festivals all over the UK and beyond, and he has a number of albums to his name including An Acquaintance Of Mine, Man with a Red Guitar and Sing A Chorus With Me.

Amongst his best known songs are "The Broken Years" , "The Only Life Gloria Knows" , and "Tuesday Night Is Always Karaoke".

As well as doing a few songs for us, AJ will also be acting as our compere on stage A.

AJ describes himself as "Handsome and massively overrated with just a dash of Viking "

Anthony John Clarke - I Love Camping

Tom Lewis

Tom is renowned for composing 'The Last Shanty' (A Sailor Ain't A Sailor), ''Sailor's Prayer' (Send Down A Dove), 'Legend' (Marching Inland), plus many other contemporary songs of the sea that have become folk standards, sung by more than 40 groups around the world.

Tom grew up in Gloucester before going on to sail the world.   As well as his songs, Tom is well known for his stories of sailors and the sea.

Tom Lewis performs the Last Shanty at Mystic Sea Music Festival 2017 with story

Dryadic

An amazing dynamic folk band...bringing feminist protest through the dreamier side of music" BBC Introducing
 
An infectious blend of rootsy folk with a melodic pop flair on strings & keys, peppered with heart soaring vocals & vibrant fiddle licks.     

You may have seen their fiddle player, Aly, performing with the Swing Rioters from time to time!  Mansplain (Explicit) Official Music Video

Kozachky

Ukrainian ensemble 'Kozachky' was born in October 2022 in Bristol.    Entirely composed of refugees from across Ukraine, Kozachky offer stunning harmonies with songs from their home country and elsewhere.   Not to be missed   Укр. нар. пісня «Ой ходить сон» хор - Козачки/Ukrainian folk song "Lullaby" choir - KOZACHKY

Bullo Pill

Bullo Pill is a dark alternative folk-rock collective, whose multi-instrumental members are garnered from various corners of Gloucestershire, Herefordshire and Worcestershire. The band takes its name from a tidal creek on the River Severn close to the Forest of Dean. Front-man Daevid Skaerd (of sea-shanty band The Rusty Tubs) formed Bullo Pill to perform darkly experimental versions of folk songs. Early inspiration came from bands like Lankum and the Shovel Dance Collective. 

Bullo Pillis made up of up to a dozen singers and musicians. Joining Daevid on vocals are Mads Harwood and Becky Haden (of Southside Rising). Instrumentalists include Richard Whittern (of the Swing Rioters) on keyboards/accordion, guitarist Mark Carter (also of The Rusty Tubs,) Clare Charlton (of Brimstone) on whistles, Adam Farmeron electric guitar, Mike Keating on violin, Danielle Reeves (Midlands Fretted Orchestra leader) on banjo/mandolin and Tony Gillam (of Brandy for the Parson) on mountain dulcimer. The rhythm section comprises Mike Parkin (Broad Mill Stream & Brandy for the Parson) on percussion and bassist Gordy Partridge (New Cotton Covers).

"a loose ramshackle collective of musical mayhem!

Also features Swing Rioter Richard Whittern  Gloucester Folk Trail 2025 Cod Liver Oil & the Orange Juice

Symon Says

20 years ago, Symon Says were well known in our city.   They played in many venues including the Guildhall.   Their hits included songs such as "Expensive Stealing" and built a great following throughout the shire.

Symon, Craig and Harry are a little older now, but have reformed specially for BurtoBash

The Rollright Stones

The Rollright Stones is a folk music duo comprising John Dickinson on guitars and vocals and Russ Ward on concertina, harmonica and backing vocals. We sing and play mostly traditional English folk songs and tunes alongside the occasional self-penned piece and one or two more recent covers by the likes of Billy Bragg, Leon Rosselson and even one by The Rolling Stones!

Russ has also played with the Swing Rioters!

Jessica Law and the Outlaws

Jessica Law and the Outlaws are an alternative folk band specialising in witty, dramatic folk songs with a strong storytelling element. With topics as diverse as lost polar explorers, vengeful mermaids and the miraculous migration of the European Eel, their melodies will haunt you as much as their stories.

Jessica Law is an alternative folk singer-songwriter with a dedicated following and more than fifteen years’ experience singing and playing mandolin. Accompanied by her band of Outlaws (Nimue Brown on viola, Keith Errington on acoustic guitar and James Weaselgrease on percussion and backing vocals), she creates "A collection of intriguing folk songs, packed with expressive lyrics, strange rhythms and creative instrumentation." (Ocelot Magazine)."

Nimue has also played viola for the Swing Rioters...

The Rattlin' Bog (Jessica Law and the Outlaws)

Sue Skinner

“Folk singer-songwriter from the Forest of Dean who’s songs are inspired by people and places I love”

“ I’ve been writing songs and performing solos and in duos since retiring over a decade ago, writing my first song in 2013.

My inspiration ranges from Sandy Denny and Steelye to Leadbelly and Lonnie Donegan!

I’ve now written over 100 songs and recorded 3 albums, the latest of which, “Love Tokens” was released on Valentine’s  Day this year.

I hope people are moved by my songs, which I sing from the heart”.   Love Tokens - written and performed by Sue Skinner and Al Steele

Cunningham Cox

We go by the imaginative name of Cunningham Cox! Two guitars, two voices, contemporary folk and amusing parodies.

Many will remember Richard's humour and songs from the 60th Birthday production of BurtoBash

Sunflowers Wales

Sunflowers Wales is a nonprofit Community Group organized in May 2022 by Ukrainian volunteers in Wales to support Ukrainians affected by Russia’s invasion.

Sunflowers dancing group began as a therapeutic outlet for refugee women coping with the trauma of displacement.

Most of these women are in Wales with their children, representing different regions of Ukraine. They come from diverse backgrounds, including teachers, managers, IT specialists, a translator from Arabic, an accountant, an entrepreneur, a lawyer, and others.

Most of them never danced professionally back in Ukraine. What started as a small, supportive circle has blossomed into a vibrant group that now meets weekly. Their journey demonstrates that nothing is impossible, as they have progressed from beginners to being invited to perform at various events across the UK, spreading the beauty of Ukrainian culture and the strength of the human spirit wherever they go..

 Ukrainian Dancing #sunflowerwales #ukrainefestival #swindon #ukraine #dancing #towngardens

The Swing Rioters

Cotswold Punk Folk.  8 piece band.

The love child of Fairport Convention and the Clash!
We take classic, mainly English, traditional folk songs and "punk them up". We also take more modern songs and "folk them up".

Robin, our singer, has discovered that two of his relatives in 1830 were genuine Swing Rioters.   Don't ask him about it unless you have a couple of hours to spare

Swing Rioters @ The Gloucester Brewery

Shepherds' Crook

Shepherd's Crook is a folk choir based in Winchcombe, Glos. We sing mainly traditional local songs in 4 part harmony to keep our Gloucestershire music in people's memories together with some more modern pieces.

Tetiana Hnilytska

Tetiana has spent 16 years in the Odessa Philharmonic and has also toured Europe and America with the Hans Zimmer Orchestra.

Currently living in Cheltenham, Tetiana is also the violinist in the local punk folk group, the Swing Rioters.

Kolo School

Ukrainian School "Kolo" in Gloucester welcomes its students from 5 to 18 years old every Saturday. In classes we study Ukrainian language and literature, history and geography of Ukraine, traditions and culture, sing traditional and authentic songs, dance and hold various master classes. We travel together and take part in various events throughout England..

The Kolo School will be entertaining us with some traditional Ukrainian dance.   They have been invited to perform in a major international competition taking place in Spain later this year.   They need to raise some money to cover travel costs, so, if you like what they do, please consider a small donation:  Fundraiser by Oksana Semeniaka-Sira : Gloucester’s Ukrainian Children: Help Their Dance Dream Come

Carnival of Cryptids

Carnival of Cryptids are a feral folk choir who sing unusual folk songs, sea shanties, original songs and occasional covers, with a different repertoire depending on the time of year or event. It’s an informal group that was formed around a core of three members to allow people with commitment issues, whether that be work, health or anything else, to join in and sing. They sing at community events in Gloucestershire.

.

The Dads of Rock

Led by the Rock and Roll Doctor himself, Tom Burton, the Dad's of Rock hail from South Wales.

The Dads of Rock are Tom (vocals), Dom (guitar), Jonny (guitar), Isaac (bass), and Anthony (drums).

What started as a casual curry night among dads from a local primary school quickly turned into a deep dive into ’90s rock—and before long, a band was born.

Isaac brings real musical pedigree, having previously played in bands at a London music college (mainly on keyboards). Now based in sunny South Wales, he’s swapped keys for bass and hasn’t looked back.

Anthony picked up the sticks in his mid-twenties and got involved with musicians early on. His Surrey-based covers band, 30 Degrees West, ran for around five years before family life took priority and he relocated to South Wales—where fortune intervened and he met the rest of the band. He’s somehow been banned from renting cymbals and is always pushing for covers inspired by John Bonham… despite not quite being able to do them justice.

Dom once dreamed of becoming a famous jazz guitarist. He eventually came to terms with the fact that such a thing may not exist.

Jonny played a bit in secondary school—but, as he’d probably agree, the less said about that, the better.

Tom, the eldest of Robin and Chris, boldly believes he can sing—and occasionally proves it.

Together, The Dads of Rock deliver a quality, eclectic mix of covers they genuinely love, all served up with a healthy dose of dad charm.

This will be their debut playing in our fair city

Keith Errington

I write songs as Keith Errington, and perform then with my 12-string, often accompanied by my partner Nimue Brown on electric violin and vocals. My songs cover a variety of subjects, serious and funny, with generally a folk feel. I have played at many events including steampunk events, fairy events and a goblin ball.

https://keitherrington.co.uk/music/

BurtoBash Merchadise

The one and only Paul Davies has designed some unique T Shirts and other merchandise for us...

"Burto Bash Specials" Essential T-Shirt for Sale by Paulcartoons | Redbubble

Food and Drink

Real ale and and other drinks are available at the festival bar.   Food and hot drinks, including the legendary borscht are available from the Folk cafe until 2 p.m.   

Afterwards we have arranged a food delivery service with Bombai Boyss of Westgate Street Gloucester.    Menus and instructions on how to use the service will be posted on the day.

Go to BombaiBoyss | Order Food Online | 15 Westgate St, Gloucester GL1 2NW

Select "pickup" and write "BurtoBash" in the comments section.   They will deliver every hour... and you get 10% discount from the usual delivered price

Venue:  The Folk of Gloucester

A real Tudor merchants house set in the heart of Gloucester.    If the weather is kind to us, then most things will happen in the courtyard and Tudor garden.     If not, we will bring activities indoors.