Sheep Music
Encyclopedia
Sheep Music is an internationally acclaimed three-day world music
festival which takes place during July each year in Presteigne
. It has more than 15 years of history to its name, starting as a party on The Warden around 1992. Since moving to its current site at Wentes Meadow in the mid 90’s it has grown into a large and respected music festival ,with around 6,000 visitors a day . In addition to several music stages, the festival also features various workshops, craft activities, and local food and ales. The next Sheep Music Festival will be taking place on the 20th-22nd July 2012.
and the north-western edge of Presteigne
, a border town located in Powys
, Mid-Wales. It can be accessed from Joe Deakins Road and the B4355.
In 2007 the festival also expanded its camping grounds north of the river, with a temporary bridge spanning the water.
However, in 2007, Sheep Music had four stages – the Main Stage, The Ambient Tent, The Acoustic Tent and the Bar Stage. In addition, the Tiny Tea Tent also has held impromptu acts in the past.
The Main Stage is always the focal point for the festival, hosting the biggest names and the largest workshops throughout the 3 day event.
The Ambient Tent generally specializes more in Drum and Bass and Dance music, playing late into the night.
The Bar Stage, located in the Beer Tent, holds a smaller capacity than the Main Stage. Usually, the events are staggered so that as bands take down/set up at one stage, an event is taking place at the other.
The Acoustic Tent played host to the un-amplified acts and speakers, as well as workshops during the day. In 2007, it also had a small tea, coffee, and cake stand inside most events.
In 2006, Sheep Music took a year’s ‘sabbatical’ and returned in 2007, with the event taking place on the weekend of 20th, 21 and 22 April[1]. Unfortunately, the event was hit hard by the summer’s wet weather when severe floods affected the region. The main site was quickly turned to mud, and the rising waters of the nearby River Lugg meant the camping fields had to be evacuated. Bands struggled to reach the festival through the flooded roads, and the festival was in danger of being cancelled on safety grounds
However Sheep Music was back for 2009..boasting a rocking line up that promises to get everyone up and raving. Friday night saw Sicknote play along side the Hot 8 Brass band from New Orleans. Saturday night was tech-country rock band Yes Sir Boss warming up for Maroon Town whom returned to raise the roof again. As always the festival did not slow down for Sunday with the Destroyers (gypsy punk), 17 Hippies (big band European lunacy) Royal Gala (rising ska) Extra Curricular (nu jazz and hip hop) Ash Grunwald (ozzie blues legend) and finished with the massive Dub Pistols..... The 2009 line up caused a stir in the festival sector. When compared to other festivals of similar size and price its obvious that Sheep Music are doing something right. 'Its good that Sheep Music is seen as a leading event in its field, however we are not a commercially driven festival, it would be nice to have the budget of say the Jazz World Stage at Glastonbury however we survive on a combination of good will and hard work. Fortunately after doing this job for many years now most of the industry are aware of our name and the events credibility. Bands want to work with us as they know we will make them sound good on our crystal clear F1 soundsystem. Also we carefully programme the event so there is constant variety promising the audience a truly rich and ear opening audio experience. Whether your listening to a disc jockey or a ten piece marching funk band from South America, we have listened to them again and again ..and perhaps been to see them live to ensure we are bringing you the best for your money...’ [quote] Ivor Meredith one of the Festivals long standing music directors.
The trustees responsible for the company currently number nine people[8]. Decisions regarding the festival and other company operations are usually decided by a committee. The festival itself is primarily staffed by volunteers, who work in exchange for free entry to the ground.
Apart from the music festival, Sheep Music Limited also arranges other local music events throughout the year, which are usually held in either The Dukes Arms, Presteigne, or in The Royal British Legion, Presteigne. In addition to this, Sheep Music also supports an organization called Black Sheep White Sheep, a youth band run by John Hymas which meets weekly in Presteigne assembly rooms.
World music
World music is a term with widely varying definitions, often encompassing music which is primarily identified as another genre. This is evidenced by world music definitions such as "all of the music in the world" or "somebody else's local music"...
festival which takes place during July each year in Presteigne
Presteigne
Presteigne is a town and community in Powys, Wales. It was the county town of the historic county of Radnorshire, and is in the Diocese of Hereford...
. It has more than 15 years of history to its name, starting as a party on The Warden around 1992. Since moving to its current site at Wentes Meadow in the mid 90’s it has grown into a large and respected music festival ,with around 6,000 visitors a day . In addition to several music stages, the festival also features various workshops, craft activities, and local food and ales. The next Sheep Music Festival will be taking place on the 20th-22nd July 2012.
Location
Sheep Music is currently held on community land known as Wentes Meadow, owned by Presteigne and Norton Town Council .This reserve is between the south bank of the River LuggRiver Lugg
The River Lugg , rises near Llangynllo, Powys. It flows through the border town of Presteigne, Wales then through Herefordshire, England, including the town of Leominster, south of which it is met by a tributary, the River Arrow, then to a confluence with the River Wye, which it joins at Mordiford,...
and the north-western edge of Presteigne
Presteigne
Presteigne is a town and community in Powys, Wales. It was the county town of the historic county of Radnorshire, and is in the Diocese of Hereford...
, a border town located in Powys
Powys
Powys is a local-government county and preserved county in Wales.-Geography:Powys covers the historic counties of Montgomeryshire and Radnorshire, most of Brecknockshire , and a small part of Denbighshire — an area of 5,179 km², making it the largest county in Wales by land area.It is...
, Mid-Wales. It can be accessed from Joe Deakins Road and the B4355.
In 2007 the festival also expanded its camping grounds north of the river, with a temporary bridge spanning the water.
Venues
Sheep Music 2012 is only starting the planning stage, so no firm structure to the festival site has been agreed.However, in 2007, Sheep Music had four stages – the Main Stage, The Ambient Tent, The Acoustic Tent and the Bar Stage. In addition, the Tiny Tea Tent also has held impromptu acts in the past.
The Main Stage is always the focal point for the festival, hosting the biggest names and the largest workshops throughout the 3 day event.
The Ambient Tent generally specializes more in Drum and Bass and Dance music, playing late into the night.
The Bar Stage, located in the Beer Tent, holds a smaller capacity than the Main Stage. Usually, the events are staggered so that as bands take down/set up at one stage, an event is taking place at the other.
The Acoustic Tent played host to the un-amplified acts and speakers, as well as workshops during the day. In 2007, it also had a small tea, coffee, and cake stand inside most events.
Recent history
Over the years numerous bands have played at Sheep Music. These include Transglobal Underground, Zion Train, the Haggis Horns, Smerins Anti-social Club, Nizlopi, The Cat Empire and Attack and Defend, to name just a few. As well as being at the forefront of the live alternative music scene SM has also hosted a diverse mix of electronic /DJ talent. Prior to the introduction of the 'so called' Ambient dance arena electronic music buffs would have to get up early in the day to feed their electronic musicals needs with the 'Breakfast Beat Chefs / DJs'on the main stage Res2 soundsystem. Over the years a variety of renowned DJs spun their classic soul/jazz/break/lounge/garage 7s and 12s for the early risers, litter pickers and those still wobbling around from the night before. But the most memorable musical hangover cures each year were provided by party DJs Ken Easy and Ivor da Jiver whom as well as playing a diverse selection of music also hosted various crazy world record attempts including mass line dancing and musical statue marathons.In 2006, Sheep Music took a year’s ‘sabbatical’ and returned in 2007, with the event taking place on the weekend of 20th, 21 and 22 April[1]. Unfortunately, the event was hit hard by the summer’s wet weather when severe floods affected the region. The main site was quickly turned to mud, and the rising waters of the nearby River Lugg meant the camping fields had to be evacuated. Bands struggled to reach the festival through the flooded roads, and the festival was in danger of being cancelled on safety grounds
However Sheep Music was back for 2009..boasting a rocking line up that promises to get everyone up and raving. Friday night saw Sicknote play along side the Hot 8 Brass band from New Orleans. Saturday night was tech-country rock band Yes Sir Boss warming up for Maroon Town whom returned to raise the roof again. As always the festival did not slow down for Sunday with the Destroyers (gypsy punk), 17 Hippies (big band European lunacy) Royal Gala (rising ska) Extra Curricular (nu jazz and hip hop) Ash Grunwald (ozzie blues legend) and finished with the massive Dub Pistols..... The 2009 line up caused a stir in the festival sector. When compared to other festivals of similar size and price its obvious that Sheep Music are doing something right. 'Its good that Sheep Music is seen as a leading event in its field, however we are not a commercially driven festival, it would be nice to have the budget of say the Jazz World Stage at Glastonbury however we survive on a combination of good will and hard work. Fortunately after doing this job for many years now most of the industry are aware of our name and the events credibility. Bands want to work with us as they know we will make them sound good on our crystal clear F1 soundsystem. Also we carefully programme the event so there is constant variety promising the audience a truly rich and ear opening audio experience. Whether your listening to a disc jockey or a ten piece marching funk band from South America, we have listened to them again and again ..and perhaps been to see them live to ensure we are bringing you the best for your money...’ [quote] Ivor Meredith one of the Festivals long standing music directors.
Organization
Sheep Music is run by a limited company number 04427679, Sheep Music Ltd, incorporated on 30 April 2002. Sheep Music Ltd has also been a registered charity, number 1099690, since 26 September 1993.The trustees responsible for the company currently number nine people[8]. Decisions regarding the festival and other company operations are usually decided by a committee. The festival itself is primarily staffed by volunteers, who work in exchange for free entry to the ground.
Apart from the music festival, Sheep Music Limited also arranges other local music events throughout the year, which are usually held in either The Dukes Arms, Presteigne, or in The Royal British Legion, Presteigne. In addition to this, Sheep Music also supports an organization called Black Sheep White Sheep, a youth band run by John Hymas which meets weekly in Presteigne assembly rooms.