The longer I gaze in awe at the lineup for this year’s Bradford Roots Festival at the Wiltshire Music Centre the more tempted to break hibernation for an expedition to Bradford-on-Avon I get, even if it means in Robert Falcon Scott style. If it’s Antarctic conditions out there on Saturday 20th Jan, I’m hiring huskies!

Four stages of the crรจme de la crรจme of locally sourced music under one purpose-built roof ensures it’ll be warm inside. Bradford Roots Festival is a who’s who of local talent, more music convention than festival, and I don’t know if they took heed of some suggestions I made or we’re simply singing off the same song sheet, but, just, wowsers!

One thing before waffling on those I do know, there’s much more that I don’t know, yet, which is equally gurt lush, and hope to shed some light on those once done and dusted. For now though, let’s virtually trek stage-by-stage, kicking off with the main stage. Graham Dent Jazz Trio I caught last year and look forward to, Be Like Will aren’t much after and we love those guys, but Trowbridgeโs upcoming soul hero, Frankisoul is a must for me. Reviewing his debut EP left me at loss for a local comparison, and while I’d never use Otis Redding lightly, such is the strength of Frankisoul’s vocals I did, and that’s the highest compliment I can reward, surely?! Though I’ve yet to catch him live, I’m putting him on a pedestal I’m certain he won’t kick over.

Wild and Woolley stage speaks for itself, Mark Green’s Blues Band are worthy of attention based on last year’s stunning performance. Yet it’s the gen z takeover in the latter half of the day down there which is really going to go off. Foxymoron, Melkshamโs finest The Sunnies, and Devizes homegrown sensation, Nothing Rhymes With Orange, are all must-sees. Nestled between them is Bristol’s Life in Mono, who, though slightly older, I’ve only heard great things about.

Newly formed but brimming with experience and talent, Courting Ghosts are unplugged as a finale at the bar stage, which will be something else. It’s also grand to see one third Lost Trader Phil Cooper on the list, Phil was the mc last year, and one rising acoustic magician I beg you to catch, Chippenhamโs Meg.

There’s another stage I can’t even remember them having last year, The Golden Gudegon, kicked off by Trowbridgeโs incredible Americana artist Daisy Chapman, followed by the impressive force which is Swindonโs Joel Rose, and though the rest are new to me,ย Ruby Darbyshire is rightfully on that list, and I recommend you find the stage for these.ย
And that’s just Saturday! Though unless I win the lottery, or suddenly invent commercially viable cloning technology within a fortnight, Sunday, I’ll sadly miss it. Though Becky Lawrence, Billy in the Lowground, Karport Collective, and Ed Dyke are the ones I’ll be most sad to have missed.

And there’s my take on it, I’m sure you may have a different opinion and can name drop a whole other set on this stunningly extensive lineup, that’s your prerogative, and I’ll always heed of your recommendations. But one sure thing, Bradford Roots Festival is on, and is a wonderful thing. Fundraising for Parkinsons UK, the Music Centre’s Trust and their inhouse Zone Club, a monthly music-making project supporting the creativity of learning disabled young adults. The Zone Club presents their work on the main stage at 11:30.

Beer from Kettlesmith Brewing and plenty of food and drink. Tickets are just ยฃ32 for the weekend or ยฃ22 for Saturday and ยฃ17 for Sunday onlyโฆ.snap them up, it’s worth it for one of those acts recommended aloneโฆor maybe two, maximum!








Trending……
โNothing Rhymes With Orangeโ at Cursus Festival, May 24th, 2026.ย
by Ian Diddams images by Ian Diddams Though now based out of Bristol, at university studying Music and sharing digs together, NRWO (as they areโฆ
Make Music This Summer Launches at Wiltshire Music Centre; 19 Days of Musical Activities for Children and Young People
Wiltshire Music Centre is launching the Make Music This Summer programme, a vibrant 19-day programme of musical activities for children, young people and families….. Designedโฆ
After Ruby, Barrelhouse and RowdeFest 26
Images by Jess Worrow A busy late spring weekend across the county, with major events from Bradford-on-Avon to Swindon, but I’m bringing quality acts Iโฆ
Sir Tony Robinson, Nigel Planer, TโPau, and Timmy Mallettโฆ and More at Frome Festival in July
Tickets are now on sale for Frome Festivalโs silver anniversary year, taking place between the 3rd โ 12th July, 2026. Three hundred events are scheduledโฆ
โWe Will Rock Youโ at St. Augustine’s, Trowbridge, May 27thโ30th, 2026
by Ian Diddams images by Trevor Porter & Claire Borovac Juke box musicals tend to be little more than a string of hits, loosely linkedโฆ
Devizes Wharf to Edinburgh; Whose Play, and The Sh!t They Don’t Tell You in Books!
Images: Chris Watkins Media May seemed so far away back in Feb when we ran a preview of two plays which will see a Devizesโฆ
Phil, Jamie and Tamsin Return to The Fold
With duty calling in the wee hours of each Saturday, itโs got to be something special to drag me off the sofa on a Fridayโฆ
Chatting with Ruby Darbyshire
There’s the story of one newfound fan who, after her performance, asked Ruby how many copies of her CDs she had, bought the lot andโฆ
Sheer Music Announce Devizes Gig Frank Turner Bootleg Cassette
Itโs 2006, and the charts are awash with what will become known as landfill indie. Somewhere in backwater Townsville UK, an already road worn veteranโฆ
Shindig Festival Goes Ahead, with Bob Vylan
After months of speculation, controversy, and local media bias, The Shindig Festival at Malmesbury’s Charton Park has been given the green lightโฆ.. Despite Newsquest floggingโฆ









