THICK RICHARD
SHY FEST regular and your compere this year!
The Ian Fourcandles Experience
The Ian Fourcandles Experience is constantly shape-shifting, personel changing, semi improvisational ball of creativity where angular musical shapes combine with a kaleidoscope of verbalised ideas that rhyme. It is sexy and thrilling; whilst performing we imagine ourselves as being a naked bobsleigh team careering through the ice at high velocity.
THE TAO OF GINO
The TAO of GINO, is the title under which artist performer Gino performs his musical and visual innovations. Gino is a recluse and veryrarely performs at all. All TAO of GINO events are totally original and only everexhibited once. You will hear and see something unique.
DJINN DHARMA & BAND
Soul, rock, jazz, blues and funk, throw it in a pot and this Manchester 4 piece will cook you up a dish of originals that will get your legs wiggly and your body grooving.
Expression MCR
Expression MCR is a vibrant platform dedicated to uplifting local artists across Manchester, providing space, support, and exposure for creatives of all kinds. Born from this grassroots movement, Jamz Collective has emerged as a genre-blending force, fusing funk, soul, hip-hop, reggae and drum & bass into a high-energy sound that’s as diverse as the city itself.
Expect some amazing musicians and high energy vibes!
NAOMI KALU & BAND
After playing Shy Fest II last year at the very start of her jouney, 'Naomi Kalu' returns with her band. Naomi owns the stage with a magnetic presence, effortlessly drawing the crowd into her performance. She delivers every song with emotion and authenticity, whether solo or with her full band. She crafts songs that are both intimate and profound, using her lyrics to tell stories that resonate on a deeply personal level. There is a boldness and genre-blending spirit to much of her work, fusing alternative-folk soul with poetry, melody and freeform structures, creating a sound that is both timeless and adventurous.
The full-band experience weaves jazzy drum grooves, atmospheric synths, textured electric guitar, introspective bass and the organic warmth of acoustic guitar accompanied by vocals to creats a sound that is rich, nostalgic and immersive. Shifting from intimate, to expansive, high-energy arrangements that keep live audiences buzzing from start to finish.
Naomi Kalu and her band don’t just perform—they create an experience. Their live shows roll emotion, raw energy, and magnetic presence into a hypnotic experience that lingers long after the last note. With every gig, Naomi Kalu increases her reputation as one of Manchester’s most addictive emerging artists.
MARK QUINN
MISS AIREDALE
Miss Airedale (“A brooding, captivating presence” R2 magazine), is singer songwriter for Glastonbury veterans Sentimentalists (“Truly Marvellous”, Mark Radcliffe, BBC Radio. “beautiful...in a miserable way”. Mark Coles, BBC radio. “Special, funny…just gorgeous” Rosina Breen, BBC Radio Leeds).
Solo with an autoharp and a ukulele, you’ll get the full force of Airedale’s “extraordinary songs” (International Times) from point blank range.
Sardonic and acerbic. Definitely warped, weird and sometimes bitter and twisted too!….pretty much a trip through the glass darkly!” (International Times).
SUMMAT NOT RIGHT
Wonky experimental post-punk racket from Manchester.
MARK CORRIN
Mark Corrin is a Manchester based electronica and punk artist as featured on Stuart Maconie's Freak Zone on BBC 6 Music in 2024 and Radio 3's Late Junction with Nick Luscombe. His earlier work was broadcast on the John Peel Show on BBC Radio 1, and Steve Lamacq's 6 Music show. Has also worked with many others including Max Tundra, Andy Votel, Damo Suzuki (Can), Una Baines (The Fall). Fans of The Fall, Sleaford Mods, etc should be entertained by a lively, anarchic set.
TAMRA SMITH
Tamra Smith is a powerhouse poet whose emotionally charged performances bring raw honesty and lyrical intensity to the stage. Returning to Shy Fest after her standout appearance at Gullivers NQ, Tamra’s work delves into themes of identity, resilience, and connection, delivered with a rhythm and presence that’s impossible to ignore. Tamra beholds a voice that turns vulnerability into strength and poetry into something unforgettable.
DAVID TAULTY
Wigan based Slice of life Spoken Word writer and performer.
THE WHYS
The Whys... spanning three decades and surviving the loss of as many members, Ste and Sam continue to keep the beast alive - currently playing as an acoustic double act - they are honoured to be part of Shyfest and look forward to delivering boss tunage for yees all.
POPPYCOCK
Una Baines formed a band, Poppycock, about 13 years ago. and released their first album 'Magic Mothers' last year on the 'Tiny Global Productions' label. which has received tremendous critical acclaim. The songs, having been written over a long period of time, are an eclectic mix of Psych folk, jazzy blues, and rock from a woman's perspective.
SHY FEST regular and your compere this year!
By 2025 Thick Richard will have been pursuing this ridiculous career path for 26 years. His cynical, lyrical, jet-black humour, intelligent wordplay, well-crafted verse, and occasionally acerbic, well-targeted comic attacks have earned him much respect from artists and audiences from Edinburgh to Glastonbury.
He has supported acts including; Kate Tempest, The Fall, The Lovely Eggs, The Courteeners, Jerry Sadowitz, Alibaster Deplume, John Hegley, Arthur Smith and Frank Sidebottom. Thick Richard has been heard many times on BBC radio, including presenting and writing BBC 6 Music's Beat of the Day and performed live on the channel for National Poetry Day.
"I like a bit of fun, but this is ridiculous... Stu-fucking-pendous!" Dr. John Cooper Clarke (Poet)"
The Ian Fourcandles Experience
The Ian Fourcandles Experience is constantly shape-shifting, personel changing, semi improvisational ball of creativity where angular musical shapes combine with a kaleidoscope of verbalised ideas that rhyme. It is sexy and thrilling; whilst performing we imagine ourselves as being a naked bobsleigh team careering through the ice at high velocity.
THE TAO OF GINO
The TAO of GINO, is the title under which artist performer Gino performs his musical and visual innovations. Gino is a recluse and veryrarely performs at all. All TAO of GINO events are totally original and only everexhibited once. You will hear and see something unique.
DJINN DHARMA & BAND
Soul, rock, jazz, blues and funk, throw it in a pot and this Manchester 4 piece will cook you up a dish of originals that will get your legs wiggly and your body grooving.
Expression MCR
Expression MCR is a vibrant platform dedicated to uplifting local artists across Manchester, providing space, support, and exposure for creatives of all kinds. Born from this grassroots movement, Jamz Collective has emerged as a genre-blending force, fusing funk, soul, hip-hop, reggae and drum & bass into a high-energy sound that’s as diverse as the city itself.
Expect some amazing musicians and high energy vibes!
NAOMI KALU & BAND
After playing Shy Fest II last year at the very start of her jouney, 'Naomi Kalu' returns with her band. Naomi owns the stage with a magnetic presence, effortlessly drawing the crowd into her performance. She delivers every song with emotion and authenticity, whether solo or with her full band. She crafts songs that are both intimate and profound, using her lyrics to tell stories that resonate on a deeply personal level. There is a boldness and genre-blending spirit to much of her work, fusing alternative-folk soul with poetry, melody and freeform structures, creating a sound that is both timeless and adventurous.
The full-band experience weaves jazzy drum grooves, atmospheric synths, textured electric guitar, introspective bass and the organic warmth of acoustic guitar accompanied by vocals to creats a sound that is rich, nostalgic and immersive. Shifting from intimate, to expansive, high-energy arrangements that keep live audiences buzzing from start to finish.
Naomi Kalu and her band don’t just perform—they create an experience. Their live shows roll emotion, raw energy, and magnetic presence into a hypnotic experience that lingers long after the last note. With every gig, Naomi Kalu increases her reputation as one of Manchester’s most addictive emerging artists.
MARK QUINN
Words; some from my heart and some from my arse.
MISS AIREDALE
Miss Airedale (“A brooding, captivating presence” R2 magazine), is singer songwriter for Glastonbury veterans Sentimentalists (“Truly Marvellous”, Mark Radcliffe, BBC Radio. “beautiful...in a miserable way”. Mark Coles, BBC radio. “Special, funny…just gorgeous” Rosina Breen, BBC Radio Leeds).
Solo with an autoharp and a ukulele, you’ll get the full force of Airedale’s “extraordinary songs” (International Times) from point blank range.
Sardonic and acerbic. Definitely warped, weird and sometimes bitter and twisted too!….pretty much a trip through the glass darkly!” (International Times).
SUMMAT NOT RIGHT
Wonky experimental post-punk racket from Manchester.
MARK CORRIN
Mark Corrin is a Manchester based electronica and punk artist as featured on Stuart Maconie's Freak Zone on BBC 6 Music in 2024 and Radio 3's Late Junction with Nick Luscombe. His earlier work was broadcast on the John Peel Show on BBC Radio 1, and Steve Lamacq's 6 Music show. Has also worked with many others including Max Tundra, Andy Votel, Damo Suzuki (Can), Una Baines (The Fall). Fans of The Fall, Sleaford Mods, etc should be entertained by a lively, anarchic set.
TAMRA SMITH
Tamra Smith is a powerhouse poet whose emotionally charged performances bring raw honesty and lyrical intensity to the stage. Returning to Shy Fest after her standout appearance at Gullivers NQ, Tamra’s work delves into themes of identity, resilience, and connection, delivered with a rhythm and presence that’s impossible to ignore. Tamra beholds a voice that turns vulnerability into strength and poetry into something unforgettable.
DAVID TAULTY
Wigan based Slice of life Spoken Word writer and performer.
THE WHYS
The Whys... spanning three decades and surviving the loss of as many members, Ste and Sam continue to keep the beast alive - currently playing as an acoustic double act - they are honoured to be part of Shyfest and look forward to delivering boss tunage for yees all.
POPPYCOCK
Una Baines formed a band, Poppycock, about 13 years ago. and released their first album 'Magic Mothers' last year on the 'Tiny Global Productions' label. which has received tremendous critical acclaim. The songs, having been written over a long period of time, are an eclectic mix of Psych folk, jazzy blues, and rock from a woman's perspective.
Faraday Wave
Manchester surf rock with soul and Latin influences
Manchester surf rock with soul and Latin influences
Keith’s Brother
The genius behind Keith's Brother is Mark Jackson, who really does have a brother named Keith. Describing his work as 'Somewhere between the cinema scope of a Mancunian James Joyce, and the musical orbit of a teenage John Barry in the midst of an experimental Neu!/Kraftwerk phase', Keith's Brother is a spoken word musical artist who has also been a contributor to the 'United We Stand' fanzine, and 'Vice' and Glasgow’s 'Thi Wurd' magazines.
SARAH ATTWELL
Sarah Attwell is an Actor, & Writer who studied at Salford University She has been poeting for a quite while too! A regular on the spoken word scene, she has appeared across the city guesting for many and being commissioned for specific works - known for her colourful characters and ability to create many voices her work is rare in that it moves into performance easily. Her writing is unique in that her work spans various genres, producing both amusing, evocative, and thought provoking pieces that speak to us all.
The genius behind Keith's Brother is Mark Jackson, who really does have a brother named Keith. Describing his work as 'Somewhere between the cinema scope of a Mancunian James Joyce, and the musical orbit of a teenage John Barry in the midst of an experimental Neu!/Kraftwerk phase', Keith's Brother is a spoken word musical artist who has also been a contributor to the 'United We Stand' fanzine, and 'Vice' and Glasgow’s 'Thi Wurd' magazines.
SARAH ATTWELL
Sarah Attwell is an Actor, & Writer who studied at Salford University She has been poeting for a quite while too! A regular on the spoken word scene, she has appeared across the city guesting for many and being commissioned for specific works - known for her colourful characters and ability to create many voices her work is rare in that it moves into performance easily. Her writing is unique in that her work spans various genres, producing both amusing, evocative, and thought provoking pieces that speak to us all.