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Special thanks to Folk works for the use of their pictures

Okay, the only project to report, at the

moment, is that Dan has completed the work with

Matt Thompson, who he met at Swanage Folk Festival last summer.

Please visit the 'would be stars world tour' home page. Take a listen to the extraordinary banjo/fiddle player with his new cd...

Visit the 'Would be stars world tour'  homepage now.

Beltaine have been together for about three and a half years. They began as a four piece (fiddle, bass guitar, flute and mandolin) and later gained

Dan, the drummer, lost the mandolin player and gained Julien, the piano

accordionist!

Although all music is based on traditional music or music in a

traditional style, Beltaine enjoy adding deeper, rock/funk rhythms to make the music both easy to dance to and more accessible to a  wider audience.

During the time together, Beltaine have appeared at many

public events including Gold Hill fair 2000, 2001 and 2002

Wimbourne and Boscombe festivals 2000, Sidmouth

International festival 2000, Swanage festival 2000 and 2001, Larmer tree festival 2001 and 2002, Gosport festival 2002, and were considered as one of the best 14 acts at the

BBC radio 2 Young Folk awards this year, and one of the best 12 last year. Beltaine then successfully completed their visit to Lindlar, Germany, attracting a new crowd with their music.

However, Beltaine have also entertained many at private

functions all over the country.

You may also have heard Beltaine interviewed on BBC Radio Solent a few months back!

The following are just two reviews of Beltaine:

' Beltaine are without question one of the finest young bands to perform at the Larmer tree festival - they immediately captured a laid-back afternoon crowds attention with their youthful

exuberance and skill with a fair number bopping furiously by the end of a stunning set. I predict a fine future for Beltaine - the world really is their oyster!'

James Shepard, co Director, Larmer Tree festival.

' We were delighted to welcome Beltaine back to the Swanage folk festival for the third year running. With an average age of just 18, this Shaftesbury based band captivated the audience with their individual, vibrant sound. They must have been well pleased with the heartfelt response from the audience.

The band have also played at Sidmouth, Larmer tree and

Wimbourne festivals but I'm sure its only a matter if time

before other festivals catch onto what they're missing.'

Roy Simms, Director, Swanage festival

Other Projects

A brief History