World Unlimited are delighted to announce details of a new event for Devon with 'Seven Days In May' - a Celebration of the best in Music to be held over seven days at Kingskerswell Parish Church, Newton Abbot starting on May 11th

It's only  two years since this remarkable 14th century church started to host concerts bringing world class, national and international artists into South Devon, providing a unique experience for music lovers to see artists who would have previously by-passed the area.

The demand from artists to perform at the church has exceeded all expectations along with fantastic feedback from audiences who have been able see their favourite musicians in a setting that presents the ambiance that performers deserve.  Some audience members have travelled from as far as Reading, Weymouth, Hertfordshire and the East Midlands , whilst the local community in Kingskerswell relish being able to walk a short distance to see top quality musicians on their doorstep.

As a result, organisers Kate and Graham Radley thought it was an appropriate time to develop an annual celebration of the regular shows with a series of shows called ‘Seven Days in May’. The series will not only present artists covering a wide range of musical genres, but will also extend the support for local artists and music students. When booking artists Graham offers valuable experience to local, emerging performers with support slots and also hands-on experience for local students with sound and light technician work.

“One of the most regular questions we get asked is how we have been able to get musicians of such high quality to play in Kingskerswell” said Graham Radley, organiser of the concerts. He added “and the simple answer is because we asked them to come and they trust us to not only present them in a way that a top venue would but also they trust that we can bring an audience to them that appreciates their talents” He continued, “ World Unlimited  operates on a voluntary and not-for-profit basis with the impetus being that live music is a great way to bring people together. At the same time we are supporting the livelihood of musicians and bringing people and funds into the church.”

Musicians and local audiences alike relish the events in the church. There are many comments from both in the visitors book that extol the virtues of this unique venue –
“lovely, lovely attention to detail and a real feeling of a community coming together. Fairy lights in the church and candles on the path, just beautiful.” Miranda Sykes (Show of Hands & Sykes/Preston)

“What a treat to sing here… and cake too… heaven in Devon!” Jim Causley
“ The Royal Albert Hall of Kingskerswell!” – Dennis Grieve and Mark Feltham (9 Below Zero)
“Words are not enough!. The best evening I have experienced for ages, thank you so very much” – Audience member
“What a fantastic concert, our first here. We will definitely be back for another.” – Audience member

More information about all of the shows and workshops are on the World Unlimited website – www.worldunlimited.co.uk

Tickets available from – 01803 875527 & 07815620402 (no booking fee)

Or www.seetickets.com and www.wegottickets.com (subject to booking fee)

Appearing across the seven days in Kingskerswell Parish Church will be

11th  Scott Matthews: Doors  7pm  £12 adv 
We cannot think of a better way to start '7 Days In May' than with Scott Matthews. Scott has garnered serious critical acclaim in his 10 year career to date and has taken time to nurture his craft. He was always deliberate in his actions as witnessed in the time he originally spent as a guitarist before becoming the singer songwriter behind the groundbreaking debut album ‘Passing Stranger’.   Scott keeps moving on and exploring to bring forth gems of songs that seem to gestate over time and then “arrive” as if he was a conduit to some magical power. His vocal style has been much referenced in ethereal terms of "ghostly", "haunting", "eerie" and "hypnotic", so perhaps there is magic afoot. Scott's new album Home 2 will be out in June.

13th Roving Crows : Doors 7pm £10 adv
Roving Crows are an original must-see act, with roots in Folk and Celtic music. Renowned for their high-energy live performance, their shows pull together funked up traditional tunes and catchy original song.
Think powerful Celtic undertones and intoxicating tribal rhythms.
Band of the Year - FATEA Music Awards 2014
Best Live Act – Spiral Earth Music Awards 2014
Best Folk Act  - Exposure Music Awards 2012.
“Really individual Celtic folk rock group” Mike Harding,

14th
Harbottle & Jonas & friends + support  Will Hawkins : Doors  3pm £7 adv
Harbottle and Jonas are a stunning young folk duo based in the wilderness of Totnes. Together they paint pictures with their words and share stories of folk auld and new. They are hardworking songsmiths that place an emphasis on musical independence, originality and breathe new life into Traditional English Folk songs. They have already received plaudits from folk royalty including Seth Lakeman, Rod Clements, Declan Sinnott, Jon Boden and BBC Introducing. Following on from the release of their debut album 'Cutthorpe Hill', they are now embarking on a new adventure with new songs and a new album which will be launched at this gig. They will be joined by other musicians including trumpet and cello.
'Will Hawkins is an English singer/ songwriter based in the Falmouth. His styles span across a range of electronic and acoustic origins. He is known for his use of melancholic and emotive music/ lyrics which captivate the listener.'
Ruarri Joseph presents William The Conqueror solo show : Doors 7pm £10 adv
Once a treasure of the folk circuit, Ruarri Joseph had been leading a double existence, 4 studio albums in under his own name the singer created an alter-ego, William the Conqueror, as a way of being able to play live music away from the obligatory promotional touring, and hit a vein of creativity recording 3 albums of new music in his garage and finally deciding to switch things round, bringing William to the forefront and sending Joseph (at least the persona of him!) back into the shadows.  Bursting with retro-infused energy, there are a myriad influences, underpinned by a taste for good, old-fashioned roots. One minute it’s a hushed JJ Cale that somehow finds its way to an angry Jim Morrison or a 60's Dylan; the next it’s a grunge era Pearl Jam via Leonard Cohen and a nod to Tom Waits.  What is undoubtedly unique is the rich, earnest voice and the poetic nuance of a man clearly wise to the complexities and hardships of love and life. 

15th
Recreations (Sam Duckworth, f.k.a. Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly.) plus support Sean McGowan and Rob Lynch : Doors  7pm £10 adv
Recreations may be a new moniker for Sam, but his work ethic and refusal to stick to a template in either influence or sound is not just familiar but oh-so welcome. After a few years of experimenting, releasing tracks with Shy Fx, Baba Maal and a variety of work with Dutch house legends Kraak & Smaak (including topping the German club charts) Sam Duckworth has settled on a sound. Falling half way between Get Cape... and his experiments, Recreations is the product of two years of investigation. Fans of Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly.  will recognise his distinct lyrical nouse, but in his own words Recreations is "more heart on sleeve, bolder, more direct, and a little bit more emo."'Built To Last' has a distinct drum-machine shuffle, while guitars glimmer in the background, and Sam's vocals later bloom with acapella harmonies. 'Icicle’ is joyously catchy with a simple three chord grind, ebbing electro echoes, a reassuring drum rattle and chirruping synth mice getting in on the act. 'Shake It Off 2’ might be the most GC.WC.F. track with its Casio lines, social conscience and honesty. 'Digital Ghetto' has a warm crackle, a nostalgic lyrical lean, and a surprisingly funk-laden chorus among the chiming, half-spoken verses. As an introduction to Sam's new musical pathways, it's both familiar and intriguing, capturing the same sweet spots his previous highlights did, but intersecting at several different sonic crossroads. The EP is a taster of the new forthcoming album due in April, and should allow Recreations time to grow from an old friend with an inspiring new outlook to an invigorating outlet with an appeal all its own.

20th Jim Moray: Doors  7pm £12 adv
Jim Moray is one of the most consistently inventive musicians working in English traditional music today. Winner of five BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards, after five ground-breaking albums he now finds himself at the forefront of a new folk revival in the UK, and hailed as a pivotal influence by a new generation of folk musicians. In 2013 he celebrated both 10 years since his landmark debut album Sweet England and the success of his 2012 career best Skulk. Now he brings material from his forthcoming album of traditional ballads out on the road for an evening of storytelling music at its best

21st  Open access singing workshop with Rosa Rebecka 11.30am  Coffee Room, Kingskerswell Parish Centre £10
A friendly and inclusive singing workshop for beginners and experienced singers alike. Explore your voice with joyful sounds and rounds, harmonisation and singing technique tips. Rosa Rebecka is a Swedish singer/songwriter and folk performer, and has been running music workshops and teaching singing across Devon since 2001.  “Wonderful... She woke our voices up. Her voice is superb – She made sure we were doing our very best.” Peggy Seeger, after a singing workshop led by Rosa Rebecka
21st
Rory McLeod & The Familiar Strangers : Doors 7pm £10 adv
Rory McLeod is an enduring and internationally popular performer who has now chosen to work with other musicians of quality who are successful in other genres, but sympathetic to his vision. 'The Familiar Strangers' bring a musical depth and range to compliment Rory's outstanding talents as wordsmith and to match his engaging and earthy performing qualities, the band is:
Diego La Verde Rojas - Columbian Harp, Cuatro
Bob Morgan - Clarinet, Saxophone
Richard Sadler - Double Bass

22nd Intermediate to Advanced guitar workshop  with Ben Walker 11.30am Coffee Room, Kingskerswell Parish Centre £10 (limited availability)
Workshop for people wishing to look at DADGAD guitar and arrangements of traditional material. Pre-requisites would be knowing how to tune the guitar, experience in playing (some) fingerstyle, ability to read guitar TAB, enthusiasm and patience! Attendees would also be expected to bring their own guitar
22nd
Josienne Clarke & Ben Walker : Doors 3pm £12 adv Josienne  Clarke  and Ben  Walker  cite Sandy  Denny  and  Nic  Jones as  influences  but  have  captivated audiences with their  own intricate  guitar  style  and  Josienne’s  emotionally  affecting  voice. Exquisite  songs  of  love  and  loss,  both  original  and  traditional  are  contrasted  by  a  self deprecating onstage  humour  that’s  seen  them  become the  most  acclaimed  new  artists  on  the  English  folk  scene
22nd
Bruce Molsky : Doors 7pm £12 adv
One of the most influential old-time fiddlers around, Bruce Molsky is also a remarkable  guitarist, banjoist and singer. His high-spirited music melds the archaic mountain sounds of  Appalachia, the power of blues and the rhythmic intricacies of traditional African music. The  Washington Post says Bruce's music "set[s] into motion melodies that radiate enormous  spirit and momentum," and Sing Out! says his fiddling "combines precision and abandon so perfectly that it raises the hairs on the back of your neck."  America's Association for Independent Music chose his Poor Man's Troubles as Traditional Folk section winner in their annual album awards.