2011 Lineup

 Provisional Time Artist
 12:00 – 12:45pm Cholsey Silver Band
 12;45pm – 1:15pm Cholsey Choir
 1:25pm – 1:55pm Mark Barrett – solo artist
 2:15pm – 2:45pm David Walters – solo guitarist
 3:00pm – 3:45pm Mark Austin’s “Creaky Knee”
 3:55pm – 4:25pm Ellie Seymour – “The meaning of
Ellie”
 4:35pm – 5:20pm Face Book Friends
 5:30pm – 6:30pm Oxford Ompha Band
 6:45pm – 7:45pm Livewire – Pop “n” Rock
 8:00pm to close CHOKO 2010 HEADLINE ACT
The Unusual Suspects
– Popular
Local Band

 Artist Bio
 Cholsey Silver Band Cholsey Silver Band has been around since 1847, or so it is reported, when it was first formed for the celebration of the refurbishment of St John Baptist Church, Moulsford. These days the band attracts players from the surrounding area with four of the senior musicians currently from Cholsey. Actively promoting music to the younger generation, the Cholsey Silver Band Youth section opened this Cholsey Festival earlier this year, so any youngsters looking to play a brass instrument would be welcomed with instruments and uniforms provided at no charge. We are delighted to welcome Cholsey Silver Band to this years’ Choko Beer Festival where they will open the event at 12:00, be sure not to miss them, arrive early and leave late
 Cholsey Choir Bio - Cholsey Community Choir is a brand new choir that is rapidly expanding, with 20 regular members they are always on the lookout for new voices. Singing anything from arrangements of modern pop songs to traditional classical choral works this will be their first appearance at the Choko Beer Festival on the 24th September.
 Mark Barrett – solo artist Mark has been playing acoustic and electric guitar
since the age of 9. He will be performing a range of
instrumental covers of songs by bands from the Allman
Brothers to Zeppelin, as he hasn't yet learnt anything
by ABBA. This is his fourth time playing the Choko Beer
Festival, and he has two simple aims: to at least start his
set without breaking a string, and to not set any of the
sound equipment on fire. Again.
 David Walters – solo guitarist Having played at the monthly folk sessions in Wallingford
pubs for the past 3 years, Dave once again nervously
steps up to his second Festival. Songs from Neil
Young, Harvey Andrews and Christy Moore (his main
musical influences) are intermingled with the odd song
from his native Wales. Please support as necessary -
(sympathetic) applause, laughter or first aid”
 Mark Austin’s “Creaky Knee” Formed: Summer 2007 at the Charity Gig in Eaton,
the band members include Matt Cottingham (Guitar,
Vocals, Didgeridoo), Mark Austin (Vocals, Guitar,
Bodhran, Assorted Percussion). Musical influences
include essentially a mix of acoustic rock and
contemporary folk. The band covers artists such as
Neil Young, John Martyn, Bruce Springsteen, Roy
Harper etc, as well self-penned material. As well
as live performances the band also record and are
working on a new album, due out early 2012. The
band play mostly festivals, confirmed bookings so
far this year they will be at Elder Stubbs Festival – Aug. 20th
and of course Cholsey Beer Festival 24th September.
Check them out on
http://uk.myspace.com/creakyknee
Or contact Mark at maustin@brookes.ac.uk
 Ellie Seymour – “The meaning of
Ellie”
 'Mischief initiator Ellie Seymour, often hears her music
referred to as "children’s stories disguised as Songs."
Acclaimed as Naive Folk her music is designed to create
characters within her songs that we can relate to. She
conveys emotions found within such bizarre things
so beautifully that we find ourselves drawn into the
fiction wishing it where real. In saying this it is her
uncontrollable imagination and continuously revisited
personification that makes her music; Original, playful
and Quirky.
The meaning of Ellie, as is known today was created
a year ago, collaborating different styles of folk with a
huge focus in trying to maintain a natural 'feel good'
sound – with heaps of clapping and whistling thrown
in! The concentration within her music comes down to
guitar/ukulele twined with vocals, inspired by such raw
vocal talents as Florence Welsh, Annie Lennox & Delores
O’Riodran. Musically she retrieves her main influences
from Kimya Dawson and Laura Marling.
Listen to The meaning of Ellie if...your into quirky guitar
rhythms, catchy lyrics and feel good Fruitiness!'
 Mr Z and his Facebook friends Britain’s newest (and oldest) boy band. Just as they should be contemplating a well-earned retirement it is taken from their grasp. So the facebook friends make one last attempt at international stardom. Brought together specially for the Choko Beer Festival (they never miss the opportunity of a drink), the friends will meet on the 24th September for the very first time.
Travelling from Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, Hampshire, Oxfordshire (sounds better than Didcot) and Caps Lane Cholsey. The friends will bring you songs by Beyonce, The Sugarbabes, The Four Tops, Fontella Bass, Robbie Williams, Maroon 5, and The Fab Four.
The Mr Z and His Facebook Friends, a not to be missed musical experience.
 Oxford Ompha Band Details coming soon
 Livewire – Pop “n” RockAfter Louise played a few impromptu numbers at the very first Choko Beer Festival she got a set together with Alan and Ian to perform at the 2009 event. Bass player John was dragged from the audience minutes before they went on stage, and has remained with the band ever since. The line-up now includes Sophie on drums. The band recently played at the Cholsey Festival, and are finding themselves surprisingly in demand for private functions. The set list, which is expanding by the week, includes many classic covers with the emphasis on getting the audience on their feet and enjoying themselves. For this years’ Beer Festival the band will be joined by the well-travelled and highly talented bass player “James”, who will be covering for John while he takes a well-deserved break somewhere in the sun.
 The Unusual Suspects  A History of Rock Icons; Unusual Suspects.
Unusual Suspects specialise in a turbo charging your
favourite songs from the past half century in their own
exhilarating style.
Unusual Suspects soared to the top of the local scene in
2005. The bands popular set unites Ian’s vocals with a
big sound to generate a set full of covers in their purest
form, with standout tracks from the past four decades.
The boys have been entertaining audiences at a variety
of events., from corporate functions, parties and festivals
to everything in between. If you consider your up and
coming event has room on the bill then get in contact:
call Ian on 07837757759
Some up and coming Gigs
Red Lion Brightwell – 16th July
Cholsey Beer Festival – 24th Septemeber
Check out the band at http://www.myspace.com/
unusualsuspectsrockhard