We like: Fairport Convention, Demon Barbers, Bellowhead, Kate Rusby, Seth Lakeman, Peatbog Fairies, Tautas Roks and everyone else on our friends list...
JiggaWatt are an extremely talented four piece folk band with members aged 16, 17 and 18 they consist of; Sarah on fiddle, Danny on guitar, Rob on djembe and Josh on bass. They play a lively mix of traditional music, ranging from Irish and English folk to Jazz and Ragtime.
All four members of JiggaWatt are multi-instrumentalists playing many instruments between them from ukulele to full drum kit.
Danny plays various instruments in two other bands, Blackstone Edge and Orin and the Heads. He will be starting a music degree course at Hull University (based in Scarborough) in Autumn 2009.
Sarah also plays fiddle with Blackstone Edge and has recently started playing as a duo with another multi-instrumentalist - 17 year old James Cudworth. Sarah started her A level courses in September; music being one of her subjects.
In addition to JiggaWatt, Josh plays in an indie/rock band, Switch. He started his second year at college in September; his studies include music A level.
Rob sings in the Wakefield Youth Choir often taking the solo lead. He was also successful in his GCSE music.
They had great success entertaining the crowd at Trowbridge Village Pump Festival in 2007 and in April JiggaWatt were invited, by a panel; Lynn Heraud, Andy Stafford, Pete Coe & Eliza Carthy, to play as finalists in the New Roots 2008 competition in St Albans.
April 2009 saw them in the New Roots 2009 finals again, this time the panel included Nancy Kerr & James Fagan; they had nothing but positve things to say.
In 2008 JiggaWatt also played at Shepley Spring Festival where they played on the Folk Train and wowed everyone with their performances in the 'Springboard Showcase' and in the beer tent.
They were invited back to Shepley to play at the 2009 Spring Festival & had a great reception - they opening the 'final fling' in the dance marquee.
JiggaWatt frequently play in local pubs and open mic. folk clubs in the Wakefield/Barnsley area. They cause quite a stir when they perform and have attracted a great deal of interest receiving offers to play a variety of gigs and festivals.
All four band members are very busy:
Josh plays football and in August 2008 cycled, for charity, from Land's End to John O'Groats.
Sarah and Rob take an active part in various groups at the local Music Centre.
Danny, Sarah and Rob are also Explorer Scouts and are often involved in adventure and conservation activities/weekends.
Have a look at pics & vidoes & on Youtube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=LtLc2U6a3uI
WHAT PEOPLE SAY ABOUT JIGGAWATT:
'It’s not often I’m drawn to a festival beer tent these days so there was a minor miracle at Shepley this year - Jiggawatt. Keep an eye out for them...there’s a lot more to come'.
Damien Barber - The Demon Barbers
'...showcasing the outstanding talents of fiddler Sarah...'
Folk and Roots magazine: http://www.folkandroots.co.uk/reviews9.htmlshepley (insert a hash sign before 'shepley' for the correct address)
2008: 'One of the Galtres Festival organisers came across them busking in York and immediately booked them - they went down a storm at their debut at the festival in August.'
'...following JiggaWatt's storming impromptu set last year... we're going to have more of this': http://www.galtresfestival.org.uk/music-dance.cfm
2009 Festival - JiggaWatt were brilliant, as always, but that half hour stomp at the end was something else!
James Houston, Organiser - Galtres Festival, York
'Oh, that was so good! Nothing but positive feedback. May the band go from strength to strength!!!!'.
Clive Pownceby, Organiser - The Bothy Folk Club, Southport.
GIGS BEEN & GONE
2009
25 July 2009: Warwick Folk Festival - The Director saw us play at Shepley in May & booked us for Warwick...
28 June 2009: Leigh on Sea Folk Festival, Essex - Due to a change in band plans Sarah & James played this one - thanks James for stepping in.
13 June 2009: Xscape - charity gig for Pontefract Hospice for National Carers Week.
15-17 May 2009: Shepley Spring Festival
JiggaWatt played in the Beer Tent on Saturday afternoon to a very appreciative audience.
Sunday saw them playing in the Acoustic Cafe Springboard Showcase with other talented youngsters.
They then opened the 'Final Fling' in the dance marquee on Sunday night & drew a good crowd ready for Sheelanagig & The Red Hot Chilli Pipers - brilliant shows & brilliant weekend - thanks Nikki. Hope Sarah & Rob do ok with their Maths GCSE on Monday!!
8-9 May 2009: Holmfirth Folk Festival - what a great weekend, thanks Cath.
JiggaWatt played at the Cricket Club with friends on friday night - thanks for putting on such a fun night Gerry.
Saturday afternoon's gig outside Hervey's also went down very well - Sarah & Josh followed this by playing at No.11 with friends as 'Damp n Dirty', they were asked to go back whenever they like.
26 April 2009: New Roots final, St Albans; Brilliant day & great feedback from Lynn Heraud, Any Stafford, Nancy Kerr & James Fagan. Caught up with a few people & met some new friends - hi Billy!
23 April 2009: The George, Upper Denby; Celebration of St. George's Day - great gig although Danny snapped 3 strings on two guitars & ended up playing rhythm guitar on mandolin! Josh got chance to off his mandolin playing too.
8 April 2009: New Inn, Walton; launch of weekly open mic. folk nights with Rosie Doonan, great fun.
14 Mar 2009: Dewsbury Town Hall, W Yorkshire; event opened by Mayor of Dewsbury with Pulse Radio reporting.
6 March 2009: Private Party at Westgate Common Club; happy birthday Ian...
21 February 2009: 1st Boston Spa Beer Festival, Boston Spa near Wetherby. Fund raiser for the Village Hall & local school; what a great day, well done Chris, Ruth & friends. A great success.
10 January 2009: Acoustic Cabaret concert, The Red Shed, Wakefield; supporting the well known Brian Peters.
2008
19 December: Court in Session Concert, The Courthouse, Otley; Young Performers Night. Shame this was the last 'Court in Session' night for a while; horrible weather but a great night, thanks Gerry & Anni for inviting us to play...
27 November: The Black Swan Folk Club, York; Young Performers Night with Niamh Boadle.
Thanks for a great night Roland; lovely to see you too Niamh.
22 November: The Old Post Office, Haigh - Jnct 38, M1, West Yorkshire. Landlord & Landlady's farewell 'do' + birthday party. Gook Luck Sue & Kev...
26 September: The Memorial Hall, Reeth, North Yorkshire, supporting The Churchfitters.
http://www.reethmemorialhall.co.uk/
13 September: Private party (wine tasting!) Ossett, West Yorkshire.
5 September: The Old Post Office, Haigh - Jnct 38, M1, W Yorkshire.
24 August: The Galtres Beer, Food & Music Festival, near York. On the main stage at tea time & later in the beer tent. What a brilliant day!!
www.galtresfestival.org.uk/music-dance.cfm
20 July: Bothy Folk Club, Southport. Guest appearance supporting the famous John Kirkpatrick.
www.bothyfolkclub.co.uk
13 July: Birdsedge Village Festival, near Huddersfield. Great afternoon with some really talented musicians!
5 July: Sarah & Danny played in a session at Cleckheaton Folk Festival with friends, Jon & Robin, from Blackstone Edge.
5-12 July: Sarah, Josh & Rob: Music Tour with Kettlethorpe High School, Barcelona, Spain.
21 June: The Calder Vale, Horbury Junction, Wakefield.
Joined by our friend, Bob.
Danny snapped a string again!
15 June: Danny & Rob's Grandad's 70th Birthday Party in Blackburn. Lovely day, thoroughly enjoyed by all.
Danny snapped two strings!
14 June: Private Party near York. Caroline saw JiggaWatt busking the week before & booked them for her husband's birthday party... what a great night!
Sarah's fiddle had an accident...
10 June: Charity gig at Pontefract Hospice.Charity gig, part of a series of events in support of National Carers' Week. http://www.pwh.org.uk/index.php?pageid=64
7 June: Cleckheaton Festival CD Launch night, playing with Jon & Robin from Blackstone Edge.
http://www.cleckheatonfolkfestival.org/
24 May: The Acoustic Festival of Britain, in the Festival Beer Tent. http://www.efestivals.co.uk/festivals/festivals.php
16 -18 May: Shepley Spring Festival, Huddersfield, West Yorkshire.
Performance on the folk train; Huddersfield to Sheffield & return, band and bar onboard..., Springboard Showcase Concert & in the Festival Beer Tent.
http://www.shepleyspringfestival.com
23 April: Red Lion, Ossett, W. Yorkshire.
17 April: Kettlethorpe High School; Prom Gig.
13 April: Trestle Arts Base, St Albans; Final of New Roots 2008. http://www.new-roots.org.uk/
22 March: The Old Post Office, Haigh, Jnct 38, M1.
17 March: The Sun, North Featherstone, Pontefract; St Pat's Day.
1 & 2 February: The Arches, Barnsley, South Yorkshire.
2007
31 December: The Old Post Office, Haigh, Jnct 38 M1.
21 December: The Old Post Office, Haigh, Jnct 38 M1.
As an old (ex) folkie, from my days with Oberon (Hugh Lupton et al), I have to say that you guys are one of the best I've ever seen. Very enjoyable and highly recommended. Galtres was great - two amazing sets. Very best, Nick - the howl of the Owl.
Glad to see you have been booked for Warwick. If your programme allows, there is an Irish Session in Warwick Town Centre at the Zetland on the Fri night from 8pm (supported by the Festival). Might see you there.
This years festival is headlined by Billy Bragg (Friday), Seth Lakeman (Sunday) and Peatbog Faeries (Saturday) with many more top artists also performing.
Hey, course I remember you from New Roots, it was cool. Thanks for checking out my stuff, I will have to try and get up North, know any good venues? Good luck with your stuff, sounds good on here.
The Irish outlaw Reilly Ramones is not rambling along rainy green Irish valleys. This time he troubles the spotless under the hot Mexican sun and drowns Mariachi trumpets in Guinness. Come and listen to the fine crossover of traditional irish tunes, Rock'n Roll and Hip Hop on the new album "Kind Of Green". www. myspace. com/insearchofarose
wow thats great! glad you had a good weekend! we should try and meet up again and have a few tunes soon! you going to any other festivals this summer? kris x
thanks!! we enjoyed watching you to! nah we've a few local gigs over the summer before broadstairs in august, the folk train was brilliant fun! we'll have to sort out some gigs with all of us!
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