Tag: braydon lee

Devizine Launchpad at DOCA’s Festival of Discovery

So, you’re joining us at Albion Place on Sidmouth Street in Devizes this weekend, right?! Don’t say I’ve not told you about it once it’s over!! There’s so much going on for this Festival of Discovery and DOCA have worked tirelessly to provide an amazing FREE weekend, but I’m here to tell you a little bit more about who we have playing in the Devizine Launchpad area….

You can download the program HERE and find some amazing things going on throughout all three zones; amazing things I’ll likely miss because I’ll be with sound engineer Simon Stockley, Ian James of Light & Sound, and these amazing young and talented singers, songwriters and musicians:

I’ll start with Saturday and bring you news of Sunday tomorrow…..

Saturday 17th October

11:30: Stan Jenkins

Stan is a thirteen year old singer-songwriter and guitarist from Trowbrigde. A student of Bath & Wiltshire branch of The Rock Project, Stan joined the Trowbridge Town Hall Youth Board and with friend Oliver Clark recently sold out Trowbrige’s Old Town Hall organising a teen open mic evening.

I’ve not seen Stan perform myself yet, so get here early and let’s kick this off together in style!

https://www.tiktok.com/@stanj.music

@stanj.music

forgot to post anything from the open mic night #backtoit #music #bass #drums

♬ original sound – Stan Music

12:05: Sienna Wileman 

Sienna is a singer-songwriter and actor from Swindon. She began writing and performing aged ten, and released her debut single Petals in 2022 at fourteen. Her style is dark folk-rock to pop, with progressive accompaniments. Sienna vocalised for AuralCandy, and is inspired by her father, Richard Wileman of Karda Estra. Sienna is currently studying at BA Musical Theatre in Winchester.

Though I’ve not yet met Sienna in person, we’ve been covering her singles for a few years, and she contributed to the second 4 Julia’s House compilation album with Petals.

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12:45: Braydon Lee

Braydon Lee Jones is a fifteen year old solo acoustic singer-songwriter from Calne, and is rapidly becoming one of the South West’s most exciting young artists. Despite performing live for just over a year, his incredible stage presence has already landed him on major stages like the Bristol Harbour Festival and the Phoenix Festival in Cirencester. Blending a diverse mix of well-loved covers with a growing catalogue of country-infused original material, Braydon-Lee brings a fresh, high-energy performance that appeals to music lovers of all ages.

It has been a massive breakthrough year for the young artist, who was recently featured on BBC Introducing in the West and is currently shortlisted in the Top 5 for three separate awards, including Best Male Artist, Best Newcomer, and Best Original Track for his hit single, Endless Summer.

Unfortunately I missed Braydon at CrownFest this summer, but I did catch him for the first time at FullTone Festival a couple of years ago!

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13:35: Jodie Lauren

Image: willhenneymedia

Jodie is twenty-three, a Cheltenham UGC travel creator, musician and vlogger.

With over 103k followers on Tiktok, Jodie creates aesthetic content to showcase hotels/airbnb brands in a natural and relatable light. She’s worked for Tiktok Live, and has experience in social media marketing. Jodie also regularly busks and brings her own spin to popular covers.

That’s where I first saw Jodie, busking in the Devizes Brittox!

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14:25: Ed Dowdeswell

Ed Dowdeswell, a level 3 music student, is an emerging grassroots singer-songwriter and musician based in Devizes. The stepson of Jamie R Hawkins of The Lost Trades, he’s learned from one of the best. Ed also fronts Chippenham band Olympiad.

Ed is often found at open mics, I first saw him at The Fold’s open mic in Devizes.

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15:15: Rosie Jay

Rosie Jay is an indie folk-rock-alternative professional singer-songwriter from Salisbury, currently studying music at Bath Uni. Rosie writes her original music and creates haunting and memorable lyrics and riffs that capture the world around her, creating a captivating experience for the audience an evening of walking in her shoes. She won two Wiltshire Music Awards last year, runner-up in a third!

So impressed with Rosie’s singles, we become friends a few years ago, and I first saw her performing at The Crown in Bishop’s Cannings.

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16:05: Emelia Houchin

Emelia is a singer-songwriter from Marlborough, currently studying for GCSE’s. With a passion for storytelling through song and performance, Emelia’s last performance at MantonFest blew me away, along with everyone else watching!

Emelia is a regular at MantonFest and RamsFest and also enjoys musical theatre, performing in school performances, and has previously performed professionally at the Watermill Theatre in Newbury.

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16:50: M3g

Meg Hoy, or M3g, is an original singer-songwriter of indie-folk from Chippenham. With numerous local appearances from The Pump to Swindon Shuffle to Minety and Chippenham Folk Festival, her self-penned songs are uniquely poignant experiences. Influenced by artists like Florence Welch and AURORA, she has been performing live since age 14 and has built a notable local presence, including winning The Neeld’s battle of the bands, and opening for Frank Turner at the Bristol O2 Academy. Her music is celebrated for its emotionally transparent, unique lyrics, which she roots deeply in her personal experiences and her autism.

I first met Meg when my daughter Jess was doing work experience with Devizine, and she interviewed Meg. We’ve been friends since, and no matter how many times I’ve seen her perform, she always takes my breath away.

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I’m so pleased Meg is headlining our Saturday, and everyone else who is playing; I’m more excited then they are! But, we’ve another day on Sunday, same time same place, and don’t think for a second I’ve put all my eggs in one basket, because Sunday is going to blow your mind; I’ll be back tomorrow to highlight who’s coming on Sunday!

Who are you most looking forward to seeing at CrownFest?

CrownFest at The Crown in Bishops Cannings is making a fantastic comeback this July with a stellar lineup, particularly supporting local acts, begging the question, who are you most looking forward to seeing there?

It’s not as easy an answer as it might sound, and hey, I’m not intending to answer it myself; I’ve got to remain impartial. I could be like Graham, though. You remember Graham? With the quick reminder? On Cilla Black’s Blind Date? Or am I showing my age now?!

Ruby?

Hum, maybe not, cos you never saw him, he was just a voice, leading to the fact no one stopped to give a toss about his romantic welfare. What if Graham was single, and lonely, helping all those contestants find love, when behind the scenes he’s hurting, inside?! An outrage, that’s what it was; where was Graham’s weekend in Benidorm with a hot chick in legwarmers, a rah-rah skirt and more hairspray than it takes to hold a life together?!

George?

Anyway, I digress. There’s those easy options for me, and if you’re a regular Devizine reader then not only are you a smidgen crazy, but you’ll be aware how crazy I am for Ruby Darbyshire, our newest sublime singer-songwriter on the circuit, my dear longtime favourite George Wilding, who’ll take any requests and turn them into magic, and of course, those irresistible indie pop darlings Talk in Code, all of which you mustn’t miss. Promise me this much?

Talk in Code?
Lucas Hardy?

Salisbury’s finest Lucas Hardy, who leapt on stage at the Wiltshire Music Awards and couldn’t wait for me to introduce him; the guy is a legend! Braydon Lees, though, that kiddo is making news. I’ve seen him a couple of times and he’s a breath of fresh air.

Braydon Lee?

But if most of these have become my friends, there’s some new to me, so, who knows, they could be the ones you are most looking forward to seeing. You are coming, right? Tickets are £32.50, from here, Saturday 4th July at the Crown in Bishops Cannings, with the lovely beer garden, campsite and pizza! 

Two stages, this time, and the others I’ve yet to tick off are: The Publicans, Innovator, 5 Nights at Adyans, Dylan Bratley,  and Mother Ukers. The jury is out on them, but I can assure you the two tribute acts are awesome. Kinisha. as Tina Turner played the last CrownFest, which was a bit of a wet one, but we were rollin’ (ooh), rollin’ (ooh) rollin’ on the river.

Kinisha?

If Kinisha is a given to me and past CrownFest attendees, I’ve suggested the other tribute after seeing this guys blow the roof off the Vic in Swindon. Hey look, I’ve made friends out of so many of the musicians performing at CrownFest, but I’ve been an Adam Ant fan since I was knee-high to a grasshopper and Ant Trouble is the only band you’ll ever get anywhere near to the real thing.

There’s a lot on this bill, and all of them worthy of being the answer to our question, who are you most looking forward to seeing at CrownFest. Perhaps I’ve got the lowdown on more of them than you, but you’ve taken heed of my worldly advice and, just like Graham with his quick reminder, it’s got to be George, Ruby or Talk in Code.

Or, perhaps I’m just the dandy highwayman you’re too scared to mention, spending my cash on looking flash and grabbing your attention?!

No, that’s really not me at all! You’d be far better off buying a ticket for CrownFest, than waiting for me to look like anything merely resembling “flash”…or spending my cash, come to think of it! Adam Ant in Bishops Cannings, though; how can you resist? I think, despite the fact any one of these fantastic acts could easily be the one I’m most looking forward to seeing at CrownFest, Ant Trouble might just be the icing on the cake.

Extended Lineup for CrownFest

It was back in October when we revealed CrownFest at The Crown in Bishop’s Cannings was returning this summer, and January when we last mentioned it, because the organisers Stone Circle announced that its proceeds will be donated to Wiltshire Hope & Harmony’s Dementia Choir. I like to tease you during those cold winter months, and get us looking forward to warmer days coming…..

Now the time is nearly upon us; frosty starts but some glorious sunshine brings a sigh of relief, as spring has sprung. Time to remind ourselves of some of the local festivals on our horizon, but this isn’t about simply regurgitating what we’ve already said about CrownFest, because there’s been a few updates since, worthy of your attention…..

What is new, is that the music will be presented over two stages rather than the single stage. Acoustic acts will be in the marquee, while bigger bands will be soundchecking and warming up on the main stage. This is great news, for continuous entertainment, and you’d have to wonder otherwise, just how they’d squeeze so many acts into just one day.

And, before I waffle too far, that one day is the 4th July 2026; closer than you might think!

Tickets available HERE. A standard adult is only £32, children are £10, and there’s a £75 family bundle option too.

So, what I’ve already told you: Kinisha’s renowned Simply the Best Tina Turner Tribute and Adam & The Ants tribute Ant Trouble headline, closely followed by Wiltshire’s premier indie-pop favourites and winners of six Wiltshire Music Awards, Talk in Code. Purveyors of Irish & Celtic folk The Publicans will also be playing, along with Salisbury’s rock cover band Innovator, rock covers band Tipsy Gypsies, the one and only George Wilding, Mother Ukes, and the blooming marvelous Lucas Hardy.

And if all that isn’t already enough, what you might not have noticed, is some fantastic additional acts recently added. Firstly, the sublime Ruby Darbyshire is now on the lineup, who is worth the ticket price alone! Young Calne singer-songwriter, Braydon Lee, is a name on everyone’s lips right now, we fondly reviewed his latest single, and he’s coming too. Eighteen-year-old singer-songwriter, guitarist and pianist Dylan Bratley also made the team; a new name to us but I’ve just checked out his rather cool Noah Kahan cover on TikTok, looking forward to hearing him live.

Lastly, is an upcoming Salisbury sixth form band, organiser Eddie Prestidge likened to Nothing Rhymes With Orange, called Five Nights at Adyans. The Salisbury Journal recently mentioned them playing Wiltshire Creative’s “Glow with the Flow” event for young musicians at Salisbury Art Centre. They revealed “the band is composed of four boys, Jasper Hill, Owen Morgan, Thomas Clark, and Toby Allen, who are all currently in Lower Sixth at Bishop Wordsworth’s school, and have been friends since they were in Year Seven. The influence behind their name is a play on the famous video game “Five Nights at Freddy’s”, combined with the influence from their classmate called Adyan, whom they often bring up on stage.” 

This kind of leaves me wondering what Adyan does, if he’s like a young Bez from the Happy Mondays, and if he will show up at CrownFest! Adyan or no Adyan, CrownFest is getting better and better, the latest poster unusually puts the lesser-known acts above the headliners, showing a real dedication to upcoming performers, and that’s a great look! All roads lead to Bishops Cannings this coming 4th July…. get on one of them!

An Endless Summer with Braydon-Lee’s New Single

If, inspired by the likes of Ed Sheeran and James Arthur, the majority of Gen Z loves a good power ballad, the beginnings of the next generation, Alpha, seem to be following suit. And if that’s the thing, fifteen-year-old Calne singer-songwriter Braydon Lee was already in the forefront locally, but in my unprofessional opinion, his second single newly released, Endless Summer, provides the truckload of potential necessary to make this a nationwide phenomenon……

Oi kids, we had heartbreakingly emotional roller-coaster power ballads in the eighties too, you know; practically invented ‘em?! Just with a lot more guitars and hairspray! Yet, I’ve been reconditioned by gigging with my daughter, where Noah Kahan at the O2 impressed me on a Springsteen level, into appreciating these soulful melodic beats, derived, debatably, of folktronica and contemporary RnB. If I’ve acclaimed anyone on the local scene for adopting this in a manner marketable on an international level, it has to be Swindon’s Brandon Clarke, aka Weather. It just so happens, Brandon has produced this track, and together, Braydon and Brandon, their dedication illuminates on this ingenious and poignantly buoyant love song.

This is an absolutely wonderful tune, a hefty guitar riff bassline drifting you along a crestfallen narrative with euphoric backing and Braydon’s eloquent vocals shining through. Braydon has penned a sublime anthem to pluck any heartstring, and he delivers it with the passion and emotion of a professional singer twenty years further down their line.

It’s this bucketload of unpatronising top marks from me, which though I thought I’d seen him before, searched my own blog and came up trumps, (I caught the end of his superb appearance at last year’s FullTone Festival) I predict one day soon, no one will need to search for Braydon Lee; they’ll all know him, love him, and have brought his merch from the O2 shop!

“It was my YouTube cover of Sam Barber’s Straight and Narrow that started getting me attention,” Braydon explained. Now, I’m just a two-bit blogger not wishing to put stars in anyone’s eyes, but while running off a quick cover will gain attention, Braydon needs to concentrate on carving an original style, with the noticeable hook, and herein lies the groundbreaking moment, Endless Summer accomplishes this. 

You can pen a thousand good songs, but finding that awakening hook is key. An Endless Summer, working outdoors through the night, I like this idea, although this is metaphorically akin to the Summer of ‘69 when Bryan wished the season would go on forever, so Braydon might romantically hook his duck, I reckon. And on those levels this works, and will gain more than the attention of his heart’s desire. The first geezer I’m sending this review to will be Mr Threlfeall at BBC Introducing, hoping Braydon is already on his radar.

It comes with a professionally shot video created by Swindon’s 1988 Media, and as a package this has impressed me. I urge you to pay it some attention, or at least pass this message onto your offspring; Braydon is one to watch….

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