The charity one day progressive music event PROG the FOREST returns for its sixth year at the famous Fiddler's Elbow in Camden, North London
TIM BOWNESS & BUTTERFLY MIND + THEO TRAVIS + HATS OFF GENTLEMEN IT'S ADEQUATE + LEONI JANE KENNEDY + THE MIGHTY HANDFUL + SPRIGGAN MIST + MOUNTAINSCAPE
As always, event will showcase the diversity of modern progressive rock music and adjacent genres, and all profits will be donated to the World Land Trust. In order to maximum fundraising while still making the event affordable, this year we have introduced additional ticket classes; please note that they do not come with any additional benefits, other than raising more money for the cause.
TIM BOWNESS and BUTTERFLY MIND: Tim needs little introduction; the innovative ambient prog rockstar was one half of the massively influential art pop duo No-Man (the other member being Porcupine Tree's Steven Wilson). In addition to releasing seven studio albums and a documentary DVD with no-man, Tim has worked with popular Italian artist Alice, Mercury Prize nominated Banco De Gaia, Robert Fripp, Peter Hammill, Phil Manzanera and many others. He will be accompanied by his all-star band: John Jowitt (IQ, Arena, Frost) on bass, Andy Edwards (Frost, IQ, Robert Plant) on drums, Rob Groucutt (Rain) on keyboards and Matt Stevens (The Fierce and the Dead) on guitar, with Theo Travis (below) guesting on flute and saxophone.
’That yearning, that reaching back, that sense of rage are all palpable in a performance defined by drama and tension.’ - Prog
‘Tim Bowness and his band were simply majestic, weaving sonic tapestries of light and dark, heavy and delicate.' - The Progressive Aspect
THEO TRAVIS is an award-winning London-based jazz saxophonist, flautist and composer. He has been a member of Soft Machine since 2006, and remains an occasional member of psych fusion rockers Gong, in which he played from 1999 to 2010. Theo has made a name for himself on the British jazz scene for his virtuosity and soulful style, as well for his fine compositions - described as a writer of 'real melodies instead of nondescript originals'.
HATS OFF GENTLEMEN IT’S ADEQUATE combine prog/alt-rock, funk, metal, ambient, contemporary classical, minimalist, and electronica elements, and often explore scientific and science fiction themes. 2023 saw the 10-year anniversary of the band’s first album and the release of their seventh album, "The Light Of Ancient Mistakes", and an eighth album is on the way for release in 2024. “Spiky neo-prog and art-rock. Never less than entertaining, passionate, humorous and committed” – Prog Magazine
LEONI JANE KENNEDY is a Blackpool born, London based musician and songwriter, often described as 'haunting' by her audiences. With intricate guitar riffs alongside powerful, soulful vocals, she is achieving a new rock sound with progressive influence in her rhythmic and melodic structures and lyrics that surpass her years. Sponsored by Yamaha and endorsed by Orange Amplification in 2014, Leoni received endorsements from PRS Guitars and Boss Pedals in later years. In 2018, 'Queen's’ Brian May and Roger Taylor awarded her the 'Freddie Mercury' Scholarship, covering her entire university tuition fees. Leoni moved to London to study a Masters in Songwriting and has been on tour in 2023 with Prog Magazine's album of the year winner, 'The Anchoress', supporting live shows with an acoustic set of original material and taking up electric guitar duties for the main set. Leoni’s latest album 'New World Woman' is an acoustic compilation of reinterpreted RUSH tracks. PRS Guitars recently announced Leoni as a 2023/24 Pulse Artist, supporting her as an up-and-coming independent musician in the industry.
SPRIGGAN MIST: Originating in the Pagan folk world, Spriggan Mist have been catapulted onto the British Prog scene after a critically acclaimed performance at HRH Prog XI at the O2 in Sheffield. It was there that ‘The Spriggs’ were labelled as Progressive Folk rock, and doors were kicked wide open to mainstream festivals such as Weyfest and Cambridge Rock Festival, as well as some great shows on the Prog scene across the country. However you label them Spriggan Mist’s version of Progressive folk rock is diverse and somewhat eclectic, blending overdriven guitars with instruments such as Saxophone, Recorders, whistles and even a crumhorn creating a perfect backdrop for charismatic lead vocalist Fay Brotherhood to tell stories in that unique singing voice about Murderous Steampunk Mechanical Dragons , The Fae and a whole number of other mythical creatures, you leave a Spriggan Mist show having been truly entertained.
THE MIGHTY HANDFUL is a group of south London based musicians, including a singer-songwriter/composer/producer who is also an ex-Music Producer for BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing; a Gentle Giant loving, barbershop singing bass player; a classically trained keyboardist cum opera agent; the ex-drummer from NWOBHM band Praying Mantis; and a guitarist who spent 10 years in the UK’s premier Iron Maiden tribute band. The band has performed in various permutations and guises over the past couple of decades, but put their collective energies into creating the sprawling concept album ‘Still Sitting In Danny’s Car’ which was released in five parts between 2014 and 2017. Since then their almost complete disregard for genres and labels has guided the composition and release of the album ‘Touchy Subjects’ and the collection of three EPs, all titled ‘Men In Stasis’.
MOUNTAINSCAPE are a 3-piece instrumental post-rock/post-metal band from the UK, formed in mid-2019 after having played together in previous projects. They released their first album ‘Acceptance’ in February 2021 via Trepanation Recordings, followed by ‘Atoms Unfurling’ in October 2022. Their new album (releasing June 2024) ‘Iridescent’ contains a collection of their most accomplished compositions so far, exploring further the pairing of dreamlike shoegaze with earth shattering heaviness, unexpected twists and a strong emphasis on memorable songwriting. Across the album you’ll find intriguing gear shifts, huge riffs and enveloping melodies that grow and transform across tracks, all brought home by well captured performances from the trio. To date, Mountainscape have played with hubris, Tides from Nebula, Telepathy, Coldbones, The Moth Gatherer, Din of Celestial Birds, L.O.E, Tuskar and Tacoma Narrows Bridge Disaster, amongst others. They have done headline runs around the UK as well as playing big all-day events for Portals, Celestial Diadem and Chaos Theory.
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“The World Land Trust buys threatened rainforest, to protect in trust, to stop them getting chopped down. Trees make oxygen, without which breathing is a bit pointless. So protecting the trees is good for the wildlife, and good for us staying alive. A win-win really” - Co-promoter Malcolm Galloway (Hats Off Gentlemen It’s Adequate)
“I’m thrilled delighted to be co-promoting the sixth annual Prog the Forest one-day festival! Once again, we have a superb line-up of acts – possibly our best ever - all of whom are donating their services for free, which makes this fabulous event uniquely affordable in these difficult times while still raising a considerable sum for our cause.” – Co-promoter Chris Parkins (London Prog Gigs)
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Accompanied children are welcome until 6pm. Due to licensing requirements the venue is 18+ after 6pm.
The Fiddler’s Elbow is a mostly standing venue, but some seating is available (restricted view). The event aims to be responsive to needs of attendees with disability issues; If you require a reserved seat, please let the organisers know.
