Shoreditch Festival Announces Diverse And Vibrant Music Programme

• 12th Aug 2008

The Shoreditch Festival, now in its 7th year, has announced one of the most exciting and musically diverse line-ups that will grace any festival all year and it all takes place on The Lift Main Stage and the Rising Tide EQ Stage, on Saturday 16 August in Shoreditch Park – the free opening day of the festival.

The opening act on The Lift Main stage, is this year’s Mercury prize nominee, Portico Quartet – this is a chance to catch this talented four piece jazz-classical fusion combo before they go stratospheric.

Next up is Little George Sueref & the Blue Stars with their ‘grit ‘n’ groove gumbo of wailin’ Southern fried soul and downtown blues’. Greek-born George is one of the UK’s finest bluesmen.

The Fontanas’ music defines diversity, ranging from back-foot Brazilian grooves to funk-fuelled anthems, with musical roots in the foothills of Brazil and Jamaica and honed in urban London. Their brand of Afro-Brazilian funk has marked them out as one of the most exciting live bands out there.

Changing the day’s musical canvas is Nathan ‘Flutebox’ Lee, performing his trademark live Fluteboxing (beatboxing whilst simultaneously playing the flute) accompanied by his cosmopolitan five piece band. Nathan’s sound is a blend of hip hop, drum ‘n’ bass and ragga beats with classical Indian and funk melodies

Raices Cubanas is a sensational eight piece Cuban Salsa band led by the great Cuban violinist Omar Puente. With roots in Cuban Son and Charanga infused with Afro-Cuban jazz, Raices Cubanas have created an exciting new dance sound in Cuban music.

Keeping the party in full swing will be the Congo Faith Healers, playing their swamp-infused gypsy blues. This exciting band combines gravel throated vocals with down and dirty grooves making them an unstoppable musical force. They’ve been described as falling somewhere between Tom Waits, Led Zeppelin and a moment from a David Lynch movie.

Saravah Soul will bring the fun to a crescendo as the final act on The Lift Main Stage. Fronted by fiery break dancer Otto Nascarella, Saravah Soul performs a highly addictive style of late 60’s Brazilian soul-funk and samba. This blasting seven piece band are guaranteed to bring the sounds of Carnival to the Festival!