Press & Tech

Press and Organisers' comments

DAVE PEGG, FAIRPORT CONVENTION AND CROPREDY FESTIVAL :
"I knew as soon as I saw Boris's instruments that the Churchfitters were going to be interesting. However, on watching their set I can honestly say that they are the most musically inventive quartet that I have seen in decades. They received a standing ovation from the festival. Go and see them and you will understand why. A must.”

PORKIES FOLK CLUB :
"In 24 years of running this club this is one of the most exciting nights we have ever had."

PHIL BEER :
"Great band...very cool Celtic rock outfit. Very different."

CHESTER FOLK FESTIVAL :
"Stunning, energetic performances, inspired arrangements, superlative stagecraft."

THE DISS MERCURY :
"Their act is full of energy, excitement and fun...so good that they turned a packed audience into a hollering horde, unwilling to let them go..."

SUFFOLKONLINE.NET :
"I knew they came highly recommended but previous publicity had not prepared me for how amazing they are in the flesh!"

FOLKING.COM :
"These are musicians who know how to wring every last drop of passion from a song...Organisers !!!…book this band, you won’t be disappointed."

Presentation

This flamboyant group of musicians from England, Ireland and France is taking UK audiences by storm with their unique and energetic perfomances. Four dynamic personalities present a fast-paced infectious show full of fresh, original songwriting as well as rearranged songs and tunes from the British Isles, uniting the rhythms of rock, pop and jazz with the universal appeal of traditional music.
Outstanding vocals and an astonishing array of acoustic instruments including fiddle, double bass, bouzouki, flute, saxophone, guitar, banjo, dulcimer, whistle and mandolin allow them to create their unmistakable sound.
A large dose of humour, a measure of eccentricity and an abiding sense of fun complete the band's recipe for truly entertaining performances.

Meet the Churchfitters

Rosie Short (London)
Rosie Short's superb voice has been described as "somewhere between husky blues and plaintive femme folk and all stages in between" (Michele Read, FAB promotions) and like that of "Annie Lennox in full flow" (Folking.com). A great songwriter, she is also a veritable 'one woman orchestra' playing a selection of wind, stringed and percussion instruments including whistle, flute, saxophone, banjo, dulcimer and ukulele.

Chris Short (London)
Chris is a fiddle wizard whose inventive playing is enough to conjure any audience up on to their feet dancing, but he has more than one string to his bow - he writes most of the group's instrumentals, plays the mandolin and whistle, and sings great vocal harmonies too! Not to mention of course his mastery of that rare instrument, the musical saw.

Topher Loudon (Belfast)
With his charismatic personality, Topher's quirky Belfast wit and stage antics help keep performances fresh. His lead vocals, songwriting, and driving rock-influenced guitar and bouzouki rhythms are an essential component of the band's foot-tapping sound.

Boris Lebret (France)
Boris's unique collection of instruments is as remarkable as his bass playing! He has made himself a double bass out of recycled bits and pieces including a saucepan and has invented a six string 'frying pan' bass banjo and even a bass thumb piano made from hacksaw blades! He combines all this with his selection of home-made percussion instruments to create hot rhythms for the band.