Community-based charity music event – the organisers, helpers and the local musicians taking part all give their time and effort for free to maximise the amount they can give to good causes.
Following on from the success of last year’s event, Otley Music Festival returns for 2025 bigger and better than ever. It remains primarily a celebration of Otley’s extraordinary musical talent and with an unprecedented 60 acts taking part the organisers have been forced, once again, to spread the festival across a 10 day period!!
All profits from the festival will be shared between Otley Parish Church’s “Local to Global” charity initiative, Otley Community Larder and Otley Food Bank.
See individual listings for details.
Step back in time with the UK’s favourite dance band as they bring the glamour and charm of the roaring 1920s and the elegant 1930s to life.
Featuring timeless melodies from legendary American composers like Irving Berlin, Cole Porter, and George Gershwin, alongside hits from the iconic British dance bands of the era, this unforgettable performance captures the spirit of a golden age of music.
Perfect for lovers of vintage sophistication and lively swing, this show is a joyous celebration of rhythm, romance, and the dazzling energy of a bygone time.
Refreshingly unconventional and snappily attired boutique orchestra BCO play gypsy and folk-flavoured music in their unique and surprising way. From Balkan and Russian traditional music to their artful distillations of Romantic masterworks to soaring Gaelic folk anthems, BCO is an infectious musical experience like none other.
Fifteen albums to their name, Budapest Café Orchestra was established by British composer and violinist Christian Garrick in 2009. A diminutive ensemble of just four players, the BCO creates an astonishing soundscape and aural alchemy characteristic of larger ensembles, combining violin, guitar, accordion, double bass, saz, balalaika, domra and percussion to dazzling effect.
Evoking vivid images of Tzigane fiddle maestros, Budapest café life and gypsy campfires – plus a few surprises along the way – hugely entertaining, immense skill, profound musicianship. A show by the BCO is enough to make you want to book that holiday down the Danube!
Two of the country’s celebrated international soloists revel at the heart of proceedings. Accordionist exemplar Eddie Hession is a supreme accordion champion of Great Britain. In his illustrious career he has accompanied Luciano Pavarotti, Placido Domingo, Jose Carreras and Chris Rea. Christian Garrick is one of the world’s most celebrated jazz violinists. He has played music with Dame Cleo Laine & Sir John Dankworth, Wynton Marsalis, Nigel Kennedy, Bireli Lagrene, Tim Minchin, Caro Emerald and John Etheridge. One of Russia’s most enigmatic musical exports, The Sultan (sic Adrian Zolotuhin) is a master of the strummed strings of domra, balalaika, guitar and saz. Veteran bass-man Kelly Cantlon has been in the business of laying down the low notes for many-a-moon. Kelly first found fame in the as a Vagabond with Northern Soul sensations Jimmy James and the Vagabonds.
‘The Bootleg Shadows’ perform a unique concert that encompasses the Shadows amazing career from 1960 up until the early 80s. Concert audiences are invited to relive fantastic hits such as Apache, Foot Tapper, Riders in The Sky, Atlantis, Wonderful Land, Kon Tiki, Cavatina, FBI plus some hit songs of “Cliff” and a few “wild cards” for good measure!
For anyone who loves the sounds of the 60’s – and enjoys a few laughs on the way – ‘The Bootleg Shadows’ perform a unique tribute that has audiences humming the tunes and doing the Shadows famous ‘walk’ long after they have left the theatre.
MAX 13 is a wind group formed from musicians who have played in many of the ensembles and classical and theatre orchestras of Yorkshire and the North East, with friendships going back over 30 years. Their special bond and musicianship guarantee a lively, exciting and fun experience. Perfect for a Summer Sunday tea time concert.