Fat Digester

Fat Digester (The Fats) are a music-based collective that at times include dancers, rappers and visual artists.  They fuse fun and social comment in a blend of Jazz, Funk, Soul, Dub and Hip Hop.  
An incredible live band, they have proven their worth on both the alternative festival circuit and at venues across the UK and abroad.  The act is dynamic, energetic and engaging - definitely not for the faint hearted!  
Now entering their 25th year the band show no signs of slowing down, continuing to draw large crowds wherever they perform.

John Otway

We at Exile are delighted to have temporarily released from captivity Rock & Roll’s greatest failure (his words!). You will probably witness his attempts at demolishing our stage, defying gravity and intimidating the audience with his own brand of lunacy. He might also throw some great guitar shapes and classic Otway songs in to the mix. A left field legend in his own lunchtime Otway has played everything from Grey Whistle Test to Glastonbury. Song writing? Who can forget his hit ‘Cor Baby That’s Really Free’? Most of us, maybe but certainly not John. Rumour has it he bought a Bentley 😊 Enjoy the legend - Sunday Main Stage.

Frank Burkitt

Frank Burkitt is a story-teller, songwriter, singer and guitarist; performing for the last 15 years throughout the UK, New Zealand and Australia. American Roots with hints of Jazz, Blues and Swing very much shape his music. Frank and partner Kara will be gracing the Friday Main Stage playing  songs inspired by artistes such as Van Morrison, James Taylor, Tim O'Brien and Pokey LaFarge.

The Homing

An eclectic mix of folk, rock and country instruments and influences, evoking the best of 70s radio classics. Twin harmonies from the amazing Dani Somerside  (NZ) and June Brawner (Georgia USA) on keyboards and acoustic guitar – with Kane (UK) and Carrete (Mexico) in the rhythm section. A Scheherazade’s treasure chest of true stories from acapella vocal to something approaching rock and roll.

Ranagri

Ranagri is a contemporary folk/world music band featuring Donal Rogers, Eliza Marshall, Ellie Turner & Joe Danks; consisting of flutes, irish whistles, electric harp, bodhran, guitars, piano, bouzouki and voices. Echoes of Pentangle, Jethro Tull and new Celtic folk sounds cemented by strong contemporary song writing.

"Every now and again the Folk music world needs a gentle kick up the backside and we should be eternally grateful that the four members of Ranagri have slipped into their best Doc Martins to just that" - Beverley Folk Club

Harbottle & Jonas

​Dave and Freya blend their distinctive solo voices and close harmonies with concertina, harmonium, cittern, stomp box and acoustic guitar. This signature sound has earned them many pluadits including Seth & Geoff Lakeman, Jon Boden, Rod Clements, Lankum, Declan Sinnott, BBC6 Music and the Radio 2 Folk Show.

Harbottle & Jonas are establishing themselves as one of the most exciting prospects on the folk circuit.

Jack's Rake

Jacks Rake have being ‘Folking’ in one form or another for many years. As much a consortium as a band, you can catch them playing festival stages one minute, compressed in to a characterful pub the next (probably up north ‘appen). Wherever they play they stir up a jolly storm!

​“Jack’s Rake had the place screaming for more by the time they had finished. They couldn’t suppress the smiles on their faces, and played the deserved encore. One of Sheffield’s favourites, with good reason. Loads of energy and crazy fiddles.” – Robb Frost, Revival Leeds reviews

Shankara Andy Bole

Shankara Andy Bole is a multi-instrumentalist, arranger and composer with a highly respected international reputation. He has worked with numerous artists including, Bonfire Radicals, Daevid Allen and The Bushbury Mountain Daredevils amongst others.

​He has produced seven solo albums and has appeared at various festivals including Green Gathering, Kozfest and Deeply Vale. Andy’s latest album “Rainbow Crow” showcases his extraordinary bouzouki playing and inventive looping.

Whale

WHALE are a three piece band from Leicestershire formed in 2016 from disparate roots predominantly perform the songs of Bob Whale plus a few selected covers.
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"Being of a certain age, we know not to take ourselves too seriously, but we are very serious and passionate about our music." Bob says, “We are enjoying hearing our own distinctive sound emerge from the white noise. It is our privilege and pleasure to have been invited to play at Exile, we can’t wait!

Two Man Ting

TwoManTing was formed in 2004 when Sierra Leonean drummer Jah-man Aggrey, and guitarist Jon Lewis were playing together as part of dance band, Le Cod Afrique, at venues such as Montreux Jazz Festival and WOMAD.
Shows feature palm-wine, acoustic dub and highlife grooves with thoughtful and thought-provoking lyrics on subjects ranging from childhood memories, political protest and er….duvets. 

“Brilliant – love this sound! If you want to get a bit of early summer, then get this in
your ear-holes!”  - Lauren Laverne, BBC 6 Music

Gearjammer Blues Band

The latest collaboration of four seasoned musicians, the GearJammer Blues Band bring an eclectic style of music that changes feel and pace through a typical set, from haunting melancholic Blues to full-on jaw-dropping Blues-Rock.
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The four members of the band have varied and extensive musical backgrounds, having written and performed Blues, Jazz, Rock (thanks Keith for your Prog roots!) Funk and more over the years, and include ‘Slim’ Rick on vocals, lead guitar and harmonica, ‘Big Willie’ Bill on bass, ‘Gorgeous’ George on rhythm guitar, and Keith ‘Mojo’ on drums – whatever your particular tastes, GearJammer will get you on your feet!

Chris Sherburn, Denny Bartley & Emily Sanders

Chris (concertina) and Denny (vocals and guitar) have been bringing their unique sound to audiences across Europe and America, creating one of folk music's most enduring partnerships. In 2016, they joined forces with Emily (fiddle/viola and vocals) and became a well-established trio.

Mancuso

Mancuso - more Funk and Disco than you can shake a stick at! Good time vibes with ‘Four to the Floor’ joyous classics... dancing shoes required.

Nostalgia Steel Band

This fabulous London based steel band is also the first and only traditional 'pan-around-neck' band in the UK, allowing greater interaction with an audience. As well as regularly appearing at the Notting Hill Carnival, the band have played at the Lord Mayor’s Show and appeared on national television and radio.

John Biddulph

John is delighted to be returning to Exile, this time as electronic musician. John has performed all over the UK and beyond as a solo electronic artist. He uses a wide range of devices to craft and control sound. His music has been used for TV, radio, and for commissions such as the centenary of Scott’s Expedition to the Antarctic performed at the Scott Polar Research institute in Cambridge.
John’s latest album “Perambulations 1” is available at johnbiddulph.bandcamp.com from 1st May 2021.

Paul Conneally

Internationally acclaimed haiku poet Paul Conneally aka ‘Little Onion’ will lead a short haiku hike out from the festival to the nearby Nine Ladies Stone Circle (about a half hour walk) and back again. The walk links directly to the main stage performance by John Biddulph whose new album ‘Perambulations I’ evokes and invokes the spirits of Peak District sacred spaces including the local Doll Tor and Nine Ladies stone circles. 

No previous experience of writing haiku is required, and the emphasis will be on engaging with our beautiful Peak District surroundings and having fun!

John Gill

WI'KID! The inspirational John Gill does a workshop/show for, and with younger children. Just watch him get their imaginations firing on all cylinders! They might even write a song together..