This is Somerset --If there's one gang who can really get a party started it's the RSVP bhangra band who kick up a storm with the vibrant music and dance moves of Bollywood – and make everyone join in too.
Audience participation is absolutely compulsory when embracing in the East-meets-West style of the Bristol-based ensemble who are among the star turns at this weekend's Dart Music Festival in Dartmouth.
This high-energy outfit, who will be performing tomorrow, blend the beats of the dhol drum and traditional Punjabi instrumentation, with electric guitars, rock drums and flute, to present a mix of classic Indian music, fused with the latest sounds in the global scene.
Learning Bhangra dance moves (unscrewing the lightbulbs, throwing the frisbee and so on) is part and parcel of the infectious RSVP experience.
The Glastonbury veterans, led by lead singer and guiding light Dildar, have been making music for more than 25 years, playing alongside some of the biggest names in Bhangra music including Gurdas Maan, Malkit Singh, DCS, the Dhol Foundation and Transglobal Underground as well as mainstream Western artists like Lethal Bizzle, Fun-da-mental and Peter Gabriel.
There's a definite comic cabaret slant to the RSVP performance, with crazy stage antics, acrobatics and shades of stand-up.
If that all sounds a bit energetic, there are plenty of other musical endeavours on offer at the festival which offers a host of free events in various venues around the town from tonight until Sunday evening.
Among them is a star turn by big-voiced soul queen Ruby Turner, best known for her work alongside Jools Holland and his Rhythm and Blues Orchestra. Acclaimed Cornish troubadour Ruarri Joseph will also be putting in an appearance, as will rising acoustic singer songwriter Albert Jones, and North Devon's fun-fuelled folk princess Jenna Witts.
Tomorrow the Flavel arts centre hosts an evening with Oscar winning film score composer Stephen Warbeck, probably best known for his score for Shakespeare in Love, and his ensemble of six versatile musicians. Their concert will include themes from several of Stephen's scores, including Shakespeare in Love, Captain Corelli's Mandolin and Charlotte Gray.
Other artists include 24 Pesos, Electric Swing Circus, Hog and The Wolf Chorus, Jon Boyes, Lucky Guy and The Chancer, Holly Ebony, DYJO, Nicky Swann, Ash Mandrake, Big Foot, Gumbo Flyers, Hot Diggety, Insonify, King King, Ryan Inglis, Slap Face and the Hoagies, The Sunrunners, Grupo Locito and Jaz2.
All events are free, but advance booking is advised for some. The full programme can be emailed or downloaded from the website dartmusicfestival.co.uk in return for a donation. Reported by This is 3 days ago.