Lindisfarne lead the line at Harpenden music festival

Various performers (Image: Archant)

Featuring a six-piece line-up of original members, they are taking top spot at the Harpenden Folk, Roots and World Music Festival in the Public Halls.

During the early 1970s they were one of the top folk-rock bands with a repertoire of songs including Meet Me On The Corner, Fog On The Tyne, Lady Eleanor and Run For Home.

Fronted by original founder-member Rod Clements on vocals, mandolin, fiddle and slide guitar, Lindisfarne (pictured)are still able to galvanise festival and concert audiences.

Joining them at the festival, which runs from 2pm to 10pm, is Julie Felix who recently celebrated 50 years in the world of music

Various performers (Image: Archant)

In 1964 Julie arrived in England after leaving California and became the first solo folk artist to be signed with major British record label Decca

Her career really took off in 1966 when she became the resident singer on the popular TV programme The Frost Report. She went on to appear in her own TV series on BBC1 and BBC2 and recorded hit singles on Mickey Most’s RAK label.

Julie, who lives in Hertfordshire, took a break from the music world in the 1980s, taking up singing for Latin American refugees, woman’s and gay rights and peace projects but went on to create her own record label before performing at the Leicester Square Theatre in June 2013 to celebrate her 75th birthday.

Also appearing are Dexeter who have gone from strength to strength since first appearing at the Country 2 Country festival in London in 2014.

Various performers (Image: Archant)

They went on to open tours for Brit Country favourites The Shires, Ward Thomas and Raintown as well as playing all over the UK with acts including Laura Oakes, Sasha McVeigh, Honey Ryder, Jess and The Bandits, and Angeleena Presley of Pistol Annies.

Dexeter played three shows at the O2 in London as part of this year’s Country 2 Country festival, including receiving the only standing ovation at Bob Harris’s Under The Apple Tree stage.

Quartet Polly and the Billets Doux combine folk, pop, rock’n’roll, soul, country, blues and gospel. They have been championed by Bob Harris and Terry Wogan on Radio 2, Tom Robinson on Radio 6 as well as taking part in live sessions with Cerys Matthews and Loose Ends on Radio 4.

Irish singer-songwriter Linda Em, who quotes Joan Baez, Carole King and Melanie Safka as her song-writing influences, is also performing as well as Hertfordshire’s Said The Maiden with Jess Distill (vocals, flute, whistles), Hannah Elizabeth (vocals, violin, accordion, mandolin) and Kathy Pilkinton (vocals, guitar, clarinet). The trio grew up and went to school together and sing traditional and contemporary English, Irish and American folk songs, creating our own arrangements often in acapella three-part harmony.

Completing the line-up is Delta Ladies, who draw on American and European roots music, folk, world and bluegrass influences.

To buy tickets for the festival call 01472 349222 or go to the website.