Summer of Events, FutureFest, More Music Courses and TV Shows

It’s been a fun summer attending a few wonderful cultural events and festivals including Wimbledon and a 1940s weekend for the Seagull Theatre in Lowestoft where I got to dress up in vintage attire. I had a fab (see what I did there!) time seeing the new Paul McCartney exhibition “Eyes of the Storm” at the National Portrait Gallery. It was so cool viewing his intimate, never-before-seen images which offer a personal perspective on what it was like to be a Beatle at the start of ‘Beatlemania. More recently, it was great to be back at Latitude Festival after a few years – so many music highlights: Impressive new talent at the Inbetweeners Stage from Access Creative and amazing sets by Metronomy and Pulp. Last weekend I went to Primadonna Festival for the first time in the beautiful surroundings of the Food Museum, Stowmarket. So much creativity there with fascinating workshops, panels and talks on writing and music. It was lovely to meet JB Gill from JLS, now a children’s author and farmer, after a talk and signing of his children’s book and a real highlight was meeting the brilliant Miki Berenyi from Lush who was there to discuss her highly acclaimed memoir ‘Fingers Crossed’

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Lisa Redford at First Light Festival

In June I had a busy “two gigs in one day tour.” It was lovely to perform at First Light Festival in Lowestoft for the first time – such a warm welcome and great atmosphere. It was also wonderful to share the night again with the fantastic The Weeping Willows as part of their UK tour. Thanks to Grapevine for Music for hosting such a special night, Jason French for joining me on sublime banjo and fiddle, Chad Mason for gorgeous sound, and Katie Harris for this live photograph below.

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Lisa Redford and Jason French live at Grapevine for Music, Norwich with The Weeping Willows. Picture by Katie Harris.
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Lisa Redford at FutureFest 1.30pm

For my next gig I will be supporting my friends at Future Radio, performing at the inaugural FutureFest – a vibrant celebration of community, music and fun – to raise money for local charity Future Projects. Future Radio will be taking over The Brickmakers Pub on Sunday 6th August, featuring live bands on three stages, food trucks, kids activities, and DJs from midday until 11pm. Full-access tickets are just £10 (plus booking fee) and under 13s go free! Get your tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/…/futurefest-tickets…
For more information, visit futureradio.co.uk/fest/ I will be playing a solo set at 1.30 as part of this amazing and eclectic lineup. All funds raised at FutureFest will go toward local charity, Future Projects.

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Ukulele Taster Session with Lisa Redford at Norfolk and Norwich Millennium Library for Creativity and Wellbeing Week

I May I ran a lovely ukulele taster session for #CreativityAndWellbeingWeekAdult Learning. It was so great to see some new and also familiar faces joining me for a fun strum downstairs at Norfolk and Norwich Millennium Library. Thanks to Norfolk Library and Information Service for having me.

Join me in September for some more fun group music courses. I will be teaching ukulele for beginners and improvers again as well as guitar for beginners and there will also be more singing for well-being sessions. For further information and to enrol, please visit the Adult Learning website: https://www.norfolk.gov.uk/education-and-learning/adult-learning

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Ukulele courses for Adult Learning, Wensum Lodge, Norwich
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Guitar for Beginners Course with Lisa Redford at Wensum Lodge, Norwich
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Ukulele Taster Session with Lisa Redford

Always exciting seeing filming projects I’ve worked on finally make it to the TV. Back on Netflix recently was Catching Killers – try and spot me playing a TV reporter in season 3. All episodes of brand new series Mother Undercover are now available on HULU in the US, and on Disney+ in the UK. In this inspiring series I was excited to play a photographer.

Creativity & Wellbeing Week – Ukulele Taster Session, Gig with The Weeping Willows

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The Weeping Willows UK/Switzerland Summer Tour

After a lovely gig together last year, I’m so looking forward to playing another show with these incredible friends – award-winning Americana/bluegrass duo The Weeping Willows next month for Steve Howlett, Grapevine For Music, Norwich on Sunday June 18th – the same day that I’ll be playing First Light Festival. This will be a very special intimate show. Don’t miss these super talented Australian friends on their UK/Switzerland summer tour! For tickets, please DM: www.facebook.com/GrapevineForMusic

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Norfolk Creativity and Wellbeing Week – Ukulele Taster Session with Lisa Redford

I love teaching my ukulele courses for Adult Learning, and if you’d like to learn more about playing this joyful instrument, I’m running a ukulele taster session at Norfolk and Norwich Millennium Library on Tuesday 16th May for #creativityandwellbeingweek – come and have a strum and also find out about all the music courses I run for Adult Learning. More details here

Summer Festivals and Events

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Lisa Redford, Jason French and The Weeping Willows

I recently played a lovely gig at The Reindeer Norwich. Thanks so much to everyone who came along and made it such a lovely night. It was so nice to finally share the stage with the sublime The Weeping Willows on the first night of their UK tour which included sets at Maverick Festival. Thanks to the brilliant Jason French for joining me on banjo and fiddle – live video clips at Instagram @lisaredfordmusic

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I also have some lovely festivals and events coming up including Reepham Festival on Sunday August 7th. It will be great to be back at this wonderful festival and I’m performing at the historic Whitwell Station from 2pm. More details and ticket info here

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Lisa Redford at Reepham Festival 2022

Looking ahead to September and I’m excited to be performing at the award-winning Brisley Pub for Brisley Live – a weekend of live music, comedy and theatre. I will be playing on Saturday September 10th. Further details and tickets here

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Brisley Live – A weekend of comedy, theatre and music at The Brisley Bell

Another favourite festival is Deepdale Festival on the beautiful North Norfolk coast and I’m looking forward to returning this year amongst a wonderful line up. I will be performing on the Saturday afternoon. To book tickets and for further details, check out the website

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It was so rewarding to teach my first beginner guitar and ukulele courses at Wensum Lodge for Adult learning this summer term and to receive wonderful feedback from learners who had enjoyed the courses. I will be teaching beginner courses again this September so any budding guitarists and ukulele players please check out the dates and details on the Norfolk County Council website

New Shows and Festivals Announced, More Community Singing and Acting

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Lisa Redford – Community Singing Sessions at the Millennium Library, Norwich

When I started the fun and free #community #singing sessions in Norwich libraries earlier this year, I didn’t think it would continue to grow. I’m excited to be starting a new #online singing group from June 6 – July 11 for Viewpoint – a mental health service user charity based in Hertfordshire.

I’ve also been really enjoying running my beginner ukulele and guitar courses at Wensum Lodge this summer term. It’s been so rewarding and fun to teach in-person again after so long and share my passion for both instruments. I’m also resuming my one to one music lessons in-person and have a new teaching venue: the beautiful Christ Church, just off Mile End Road at NR2 2AQ. If you would like to find out more, please get in contact.

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Viewpoint Singing Group

I’m also continuing to enjoy a mixture of acting roles. I had a great time recently filming in a beautiful North Norfolk beachside location, part of a fascinating true story and playing a glamorous party girl. It’s exciting to finally see projects coming on to the screen and I’m really looking forward to seeing ‘This England’ on Sky TV later this year in which I play a journalist in one scene. Kenneth Branagh looking and sounding remarkably like Boris Johnson!

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Playing a party girl in upcoming crime documentary
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Upcoming Gigs!

Really excited that I will be performing on Thursday 30th June at The Reindeer Norwich with wonderful award-winning Americana duo, The Weeping Willows from Melbourne, Australia. The free gig will be part of their upcoming UK tour which also includes a performance at this year’s Maverick Festival.

I’m also looking forward to returning to the lovely Reepham Festival; performing at Whitwell Station on Sunday, August 6th. More details on their official website and the shows page.

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More Wonderful Reviews for ‘I Just Can’t Forget’ Maverick Magazine, New Interviews, Leaving Traces – Celebrating Neal Casal

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“Your new single is a beautiful song. I really like the traditional country sound, the musical arrangement is hair raising! Your voice has a real Jennifer Nettles feel too.” Tessa-Leanne Snart. Huge thanks to Sound & Country Vision for recently making new single ‘I Just Can’t Forget’ Track of the Week and to all the other radio stations that have played it and anyone who has streamed, download and purchased it – so so appreciated.

“Vocally and lyrically the song is so blissfully authentic and smooth to listen to which is a recurring theme from the EP that has a real strong feel of warmth and honesty..‘I Just Can’t Forget’ incorporates this exquisite use of musical talent with glorious harmonies to accompany Redford’s vocal prowess and beautiful songwriting.” Thanks also to Think Country for this beautiful review. 

I’ve made a little video for the single featuring clips from a lovely trip to the South of France and my Under the Apple Tree Session for Whispering Bob TV, where I performed the song live.

“I Just Can’t Forget is the prize track on the EP Edge of Love by British country singer Lisa Redford. That EP was released last May, and I reviewed it on these pages at the time. And I still stand behind what I said back then: it takes real talent to make a tearjerker like this sound moving but not overly sentimental, and Redford pulls it off with ease.”
’I Just Can’t Forget’ a Favourite Song of the Month! Thank you to Slim Chance in The Netherlands

More European reviews. Huge thanks to French music blog Alongside Nashville for this lovely feature about ‘Edge of Love’ – hope to perform there again soon ~ European tour for 2020?

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Check out the brand new November/December issue of Maverick Magazine – out now!
Tons of wonderful artists are featured including Lady Antebellum, Kelsea Ballerini, Ashley McBryde plus ‘I Just Can’t Forget’ is included on the brilliant free CD.
Available via their website www.maverick-country.com & select WH Smiths. 

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New Interview and Feature
“Edge of Love has 5 self-written songs that are a blend of styles that I’m inspired by: Americana, country, folk, soul and pop…”
Huge thanks to Merryn Music for this cool interview

“Lisa Redford has been a long time favourite of ours here at Belles and Gals – she was one of the first UK artists we ever featured and one of the first we ever interviewed too!” Huge thanks to my friends at Belles and Gals for also featuring new single “I Just Can’t Forget”

Enjoy Music More Interview and Live Acoustic Session Five minutes with Lisa Redford

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Here’s a brand new interview and live acoustic session with the Eastern Daily Press Newspaper. Playing an unplugged version of Edge of Love the title track of the new EP. Link and video here

Leaving Traces – Celebrating Neal Casal

I was very honoured to recently perform at Leaving Traces – a beautiful and moving celebration of the music, life and photography of the incredible Neal Casal alongside some wonderful musicians at The Betsey Trotwood in London. All proceeds from the sold out concert went to Music Minds Matter – more information regarding their work here. 

Below are a couple of Neal’s amazing songs that I performed on this truly emotional evening – one of my absolute favourites ‘All the Luck in the World’ from his stunning album ‘Rain, Wind and Speed’ and the incredible ‘Fell on Hard Times.’
Thanks to the brilliant Alan Cook for joining me on pedal steel and to Pierangela Manzetti for filming this truly special night. It was also lovely to perform a duet with the brilliant Danny George Wilson (Bennett, Wilson, Poole/Danny and The Champions of the World)

‘All the Luck in the World’ Live at The Betsey Trotwood
‘Fell on Hard Times’ Live at The Betsey Trotwood

Artist of the Week, New Live Videos, New Interviews, More Lovely Reviews for ‘Edge of Love’

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Huge thanks to British Country Airplay for making me Artist of the Week. This will mean lots of airplay for my songs across various country music shows.

Had a great time in August performing more summer festival and events. Thanks to Trevor Allen for some lovely photos from my set at The Waterfront Sessions. He also filmed the black and white live video below for latest single “Let Go.”

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Many more new live videos added to my YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/user/lisaredfordmusic and Instagram lisaredfordmusic

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Thanks to 140 Promotions for filming “The Edge of Love.”

Such a special moment! performing to a full room and hearing the lovely audience singing along to this Cat Stevens classic. Thanks for the warm reception Weyfest Music Festival 

“Lisa has an easy, beautifully textured voice and an achingly candid way with a lyric..sharp, sweet insight and heart-tugging hooks, the sounds of her different worlds collide to soothe your soul..”
Beautiful review for ‘Edge of Love’ ❤️ huge thanks to respected music journalist, publicist and broadcaster Alan Cackett for featuring on his brilliant website. Full review here

“For those looking for a folk-laden country record, you need look no further.”
The second lovely review for new EP ‘Edge of Love’ in 24 hours! An honour to also be compared to the amazing Nanci Griffith. Huge thanks to Building Our Own Nashville for this wonderful review 

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New Interviews! Lovely to chat to Samantha Melrose for her brilliant ‘The Inside Track podcast. Talkingcountry music, being a woman in music and independent artist, plus new EP Edge of Love❤️ thanks for listening.

I also chatted to Laura Klonowski about the writing of new single “Let Go”
Huge thanks Laura and Belles and Gals Full interview here

Two Articles in Songwriting Magazine Autumn Edition, Deepdale Festival

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Such a great day at the always welcoming Deepdale Festival in beautiful North Norfolk. Thanks to photographer Jon Clifton for some really great shots. Check out his work here So lovely to be joined by multi-talented musicians Adam Clark and Nic Zuppardi from Clark, Hartley, Zuppardi on guitar and mandolin.

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It was also great to close my set with the brilliant Matt Watson. So much fun singing the Del Amitri classic “Nothing Ever Happens.”

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Ramblin’ Roots Revue

Had a great weekend at Ramblin’ Roots Revue, an excellent Americana roots music festival at Bucks Student Union. Saw so much amazing live music including storming sets by Danny and the Champions, Robert Vincent, The Magic Numbers and a fun Tom Petty tribute. It was also lovely to meet Romeo Stodart of The Magic Numbers before their headline set.

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Had fun performing on the Earbelly Music acoustic stage and it was lovely to be joined again by Alan Cook on pedal steel and dobro – Alan recently joined me for my Whispering Bob TV Under the Apple Tree session – and we also recorded a live session for Medicine Music, video on their YouTube channel soon.

Performing new song “Anything But Easy”

Show with Sarah Darling, Under the Apple Tree Session, Press and Reviews

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It’s been a busy few days! Had a wonderful night performing at Norwich Waterfront Studio opening for Sarah Darling. It was exciting to perform two brand new songs and lovely to have the brilliant Noel Dashwood joining me on exceptional dobro and harmony vocals.

New song “I Just Can’t Forget”

Rehearsing new song “Anything But Easy” before the show:

Sarah sounded absolutely sublime and it was a joy to support her.

“With dobro player Noel by her side, she opened up the evening with a great array of original songs which she has written over her substantial career as a musician.

It was easy to be drawn in by her elegant and classy deliverance” Huge thanks to the EDP Newspaper for this great review.

“Lisa performs numbers from her recent Another Place and Time EP, several brand new songs, and also one of my favourites, Carolina Rain from the earlier Slipstream album. Lisa  has always moved seamlessly between the worlds of country and folk, but tonight’s set understandably steers more towards the former, and provides a great opener to tonight’s show.” And thanks also to Outline Magazine for their kind words.

Prior to the show I was interviewed by Fatea Magazine  about songwriting, favourite artists and my career. Huge thanks to Nic Rigby.

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The following day I had a lovely afternoon recording my second Under the Apple Tree session for Whispering Bob TV. It’s always special catching up with Bob Harris and for this session it was so nice to be reunited with pedal steel player Alan Cook who played on my second album “Lost Again”.

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Bob Harris and I between two pedal steel greats! Chris Hillman and Alan Cook.

First Show of 2018! Track on New Americana Compilation “Looking for America”

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First show of 2018! Really looking forward to making my debut headline at the Burston Crown this Thursday.  Will be playing two acoustic sets – a mixture of originals and favourite songs.

Out this week! Lovely to have my song “Remember Me” on “Looking for America” a great release celebrating music from the The House Concert European Hub community. Funds raised go to Merican Moose Mobile, a project from Rob Ellen at Medicine Music helping artists from Europe tour stateside. Listen and support the album at Bandcamp

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