Rye Arts Festival prides itself in bringing the best of music from around the world to Rye audiences.
And this year the exciting programme of non-classical music kicks off with the legendary British reggae band Merger at a gig on Friday 11 September at Rye Community Centre. Merger burst onto the music scene in 1978 when Bob Dylan invited them to be on the bill of his Blackbushe Aerodrome gig in Surrey in front of a quarter of million fans. I know they were good as I was there! The band disbanded but have very recently reformed and aren’t to be missed if you want to hear some British reggae legends.
A few days later we have a chance to see a folk duo at the start of their musical journey. Jenny Sturgeon and MG Boulter met and became penpals online, but have managed to close the gap between their respective homes of the Shetlands and Southend on Sea and play their self-penned songs to a growing audience of folk music fans. Check them out on Thursday 17 September.
And on Saturday 19 September Festival favourites The Mountain Fireworks Company make a welcome return. The five-piece play an exciting mix of blues, traditional folk, country and Americana and never fail to entertain.
On Friday 25 September, The Equatorial Group debut at Rye. Also a five-piece, this tight, young band from Eastbourne plays Americana and their self-penned music has been favourably compared with Neil Young and, it is rumoured, Fleetwood Mac.
Last, but far from least, and a perfect fifth in the programme, the Festival welcomes back Mampama. A good-time band, Mampama fuse the music from West and East Africa. The pulsating and melodic music from this five- piece band is sure to turn the Rye Creative Centre into the hottest venue north of the Sahara on Saturday 26 September!
For more information and to buy tickets go to www.ryeartsfestival.org.uk
Image Credits: Rye Arts Festival .