Feast your eyes on the amazing bands and performers we've got in store for you this year.
You're welcome!
The Splintered Ukes
Summer Strum legends The Splintered Ukes are back to headline this year's festival with their eclectic mash-ups and fabulous floor fillers. This amazing 7-piece are skilful masters of reengineering classic and modern pop songs. From Queen to Betty Boo, there's something to get everyone doin' their do.
As well as The Summer Strum you can catch them at Liverpool's Sound City, LIMF, St George's Hall beer festivals, The Pen Factory, The Handyman Brewery & Sir Thomas Hotel.
It's amazing they've got time for anything else!
Expect a lesson in faultless ukulele cool. There's also a high possibility you'll get roped into a conga!
Northern Ukes
Now we are really spoiling you as Sunday night headliners Northern Ukes bring their tight melodic harmonies and eclectic mix of music to the main stage. Love music from the from 60's, 70's 80's and 90's? Then prepare to be in heaven!
This 7 piece ukulele band from the Sefton area of North Liverpool will also be leading the farewell
busk-a-thon to close the main stage in style.
AND there are rumours that they may be "lifting you higher" with a 50 piece choir!
The Funky Ukes
A group of seasoned performers from diverse musical backgrounds. Guilty of a litany of musical misdemeanours, they are currently believed to be in the Liverpool area, preparing their next escapade. They are known to possess ukuleles and are not afraid to use them.
Pat & Em
Two of our favourite ladies and the original organisers of the Summer Strum Festival at Hoylake, without whom none of this would be possible. Their usual bands Broken Strings & The Two of Us can't perform this year, but this pairing of absolute legends will definitely make up for it.
Small Town
Splitters
The Small Town Splitters , are a three piece from the Scottish Borders - a rock covers band with a difference! They play a mix of rock, punk, classics and even the odd bit of pop in their own style. They thrive on playing live and like to think they can prove that a little ukulele can really rock!
D'Ukes of Hazzard
Firm favourites on the ukulele circuit, The D’ukes began as a group of UCL graduates and have collected folk from the pub along the way. They will be leading the morning strum-along on Saturday at this year's festival. Their infamous jams, held every Thursday at Ma Egerton’s, are open to anyone who wants to play the uke and sing songs. Fun is 100% guaranteed.
The Bowie Ukes
With their foundations cemented firmly in fun & friendship, this Liverpool band of 30+ play lively sets that reflect their mix of ages and musical tastes.
Having played at festivals and gigs for the last 3 years, including the Summer Strum when it was at Hoylake, they can now be found practicing at The Halfway House every Tuesday and welcome anyone who wants to pop along and join in.
Secret Ukulele Band
Have been playing music for more than 200 years (between them). At one of their gigs, you will hear Soul and Motown classics next to up-tempo Country, by way of Led Zeppelin and high-octane Rock and Roll mash-ups. They recently stormed the amazon download chart with an original song they wrote for Marine FC.
Ukulele Club Liverpool
Based in the heart of Liverpool, UCL was founded in 2012 and comprises of ukulele players of all ages and abilities. With a repertoire of over 100 songs from the 1920s to the 2020s, UCL will be arranging an epic set list for the return to their festival scene to have you off your seats dancing and singing along.
Secret's Out
Secret’s Out is a “supergroup” formed to bring a bit of unity and something different at uke festivals. Comprised of members of ‘The Secret Ukulele Band’, ‘The D’Ukes of Hazzard’ and ‘The Travelling Wannabees’, they perform original, upbeat songs written by Secret Ukulele Band member Dave Laing
Liverpool Ukulele Orchestra
The Liverpool Ukulele Orchestra are an established band who have been in existence for almost 10 years, having started as the Rock & Roll Society. We are based at the Conservative Club in Huyton and meet every Wednesday from 8 pm.
The Travelling Wannabes
A 6-piece, formed at Crosby’s Stamps Bar Ukulele jam night, where they play an eclectic mix of rock n roll, blues, country and soul. At their gigs they play covers of popular songs with a little twist. Named as a nod to one of the best super groups that ever lived (in their humble opinion), they all hail from Sefton, except Vinny, who is dead posh and lives on the Wirral.
Ukulele Jukebox consists of Mike Gradwell Concert, Kizzy Felstead Tenor, melodica, percussion and hammer and chisel, Bob Sapey Bass. They perform covers and originals.
Ukulele Jukebox
Alison Benson
Alison is a singer/songwriter and ukulele player. She is also the Liverpool Acoustic Songwriting Challenge 2019 winner. Her debut EP, Paths & Stories, was released last year and she can be found performaing at festivals & gigs across the UK. In addition to her stellar performances, Alison will be running songwriting workshops to let you into some of the secrets of her success.
With his uke, Sebastien (aka Sebukulele) plays his self-penned French/Japanese infused songs. He has played in many places & festivals in France, the UK and Japan. He has made 3 LPs - Citrus Depressa (2017), Les jours heureux (2018) and Le voyage aux milles voluptés (2020).
Sebukulele
Nana Funk
Photo by Mark Lycett courtesy of Secret Circus
Nana Funk is a singing songwriting whoknowshowoldarian who shows that being awesome transcends age. Nana brings together music, improvisation and clowning to create her own versatile and unique style. As well as her perfomances on the main stages, Nana will be corrupting... erm... entertaining the kids with her storytelling.
Rob Jones &
Rob White
Influenced by Simon & Garfunkel and The Beatles, duo Rob and Rob have been harmonising since meeting at school (with a few days off to watch footy). Regulars at 81
Renshaw Street, they have released 2 songs on the well-received "City of Music" compilation albums.
Lee Lou
Lee Lou, previously of River City Ukes, are a duo that have enjoyed performing at a few Summer Strums.
MAD Ukes
Formed in 2015, Maghull And District Ukes is a community ukulele group of around 50. Friendly & welcoming, they meet each Friday in Maghull Baptist Church Hall. All players are encouraged to participate in public performances.
Yin Yan Band
YinYan Band love to spread joy through the positive power of music with ukuleles and more!
Set up by pop up wellbeing specialists yinyan.co.uk - the band perform at all sorts of events & festivals and provide beginner ukulele classes & workshops.
Ma Machetes
The Ma Machetes are a fierce, female lead ukulele band based in Liverpool. They produce empowering original songs and cover songs from all eras in their own unique style. They are a force to be reckoned with and can be booked for all of your celebrations.
The Remnants
The Remnants are a six piece band from Wirral who formed in the spring of 2017. They are a cover band playing a mix of Country, Celtic, Folk and Americana music.
Algorhythmics
A new band that has been practicing during lockdown, though members have performed at previous Summer Strums with D’Ukes of Hazzard and Liverpool Music Lab.
Sydney F Smith
Sydney started playing ukulele at a young age and over the years this joyful instrument has brought him some great experiences. He's a regular guest and singer on BBC Radio Merseyside's Linda McDermott show, appeared on the Liverpool Empire with BGT and joined the late Sir Ken Dodd on his 'Happiness Show' at the Floral Pavilion.
Ukulele Eric
Deciding on a whim about 7 years back to start learning an instrument, Eric took up the uke. He’s now busked and played in various situations & feels ready to perform on a stage with a larger audience. He enjoys older music and comic songs, but plays a wide variety of music from all sorts of genres and eras.
Shiragas
Three ‘white haired’ men [Shiraga in Japanese] are coming from a Paris suburb! They have been gathered around Sebastien’s ukulele since June 2021! ’Shiragas’ perform poprock covers as well as their own compositions in French, English and Japanese.
Midlife Crisis Club
The Cassidys
If you’re looking for slick & polished, look elsewhere!
Ian, Sara and their 3 young kids bring their own unique style of rough-around-the-edges chaos. Expect rave anthems, pop and indie classics and a massive dollop of fun.
Dave is part of the D'Ukes of Hazzard and as part of the Lockdown in 2019 ventured into singing solo for the first time. A regular at open mics Dave will be playing those songs that others don't want to play with him :)
Just One Cornetto
Midlife Crisis Club are a trio from Liverpool who play a mix of covers and their own songs
The Pandemic Pluckers is a band of misfits from around the world. Formed by accident during the nightly Zoom Ukulele Jams, they forged a lifelong friendship for each other and the love of the ukulele. Having only met up in real life three times, this will be their world debut as a performing band.
Pandemic Pluckers
The Spinoffs don’t take themselves too seriously and the enjoyment of playing together remains at the core of the band. Playing songs that allow them to use their strengths has created a broad repertoire .
Spinoffs
Spinoffs
Jenson Parker
Jensen Parker, is a 19 year old singer, ukulele player, cosplayer and aspiring actor.
Sprouts
Ian Campbell and Charlotte Penn are a duo playing a variety of covers and their own songs. Mostly slower type songs with baritone uke and melodion, and some faster instrumentals with banjo uke and melodion.
Visionz Duo
A South Pacific infused duo who have appeared in the King and I at the London Palladium & toured with bands throughout NZ & the South Pacific, before returning to play The Cavern, Summer Strum & Parbulele.
Grateful Fred’s Ukelear Deterrent
Grateful Fred’s Ukelear Deterrent was formed 9 years ago & has played at ukulele festivals & gigs throughout the North West. Ukes, bass & percussion & a wide variety of songs ensure this nine-piece band will keep you entertained, at least for a little while!
Aslan
Josh Galloway also known as 'The Mighty Aslan' is a songwriter, musician and luthier from Manchester. Often compared to the
likes of Tom Waits, Woody Guthrie and Steve Earle, he performs a wide range of traditional folk and blues music, weaving in his own original songs and stories. Josh also builds bespoke electric cigar box guitars. Be sure to stop by his festival stall.
Ukes Alive
Formed in 2016, Ukes Alive play at various festivals, private parties & fundraisers. They promote the ukulele as an instrument that helps to get children involved in music – one of the ideas behind their creation of the Parbulele ukulele festival.
Ukulele Buddies
Ukulele Buddies has the aim of bringing people together who want to enjoy the opportunity to play ukulele and sing. They are a group of mixed abilities from beginners up, based in Ainsdale, Southport.
Fabulele5 is a ukulele band based in the Northwest we have been together 3 years and enjoy playing a variety of songs from all era’s and genre’s!
Fabulele5
Palacefields
Ukulele Group
The P.U.G are made up of 20 members who had never played a ukulele before and now they can't stop! It all started 5 years ago through the Wellbeing Enterprise Scheme.
Uke 'n' Strum
Came together as the result of playing with the Dukes of Halton with whom they still play. They have played at the Cavern club, Hoylake Summer Strum & Parbulele to name a few. Any money raised is distributed to local charity groups.
Northwich Uke Club
A friendly club based in Cheshire with players of all ages and abilities. They can’t wait to bring the energy and enthusiasm of their weekly uke jams to the stage at their first ever Summer Strum.
Formed 4 years ago to provide pensioners a place to learn ukulele at the Lee Jones Centre in Vauxhall. They have played several festivals and charity gigs including World Uke day 2019, BUFF and Parbulele.
Whitewood
Ukulele Club
UKEY40 are a small subsection of Greasby Ukes who play mostly fundraising and local events. They play a mix of music but mainly aim to have fun performing.
Ukey 40
A fairly new group based in Heywood, near Rochdale. Formed as an activity for the wellbeing centre and surviving the pandemic over zoom, now 20 of them are enjoying being back to playing live sessions.
Heywood
Ukulele Band
Chester Ukes
Chester Ukes have been around for 10 years and hosted the very first incarnation of the Summer Strum in Chester. They regularly play local events in the Chester area & have 24 members.
Bexi Owen
Songbird and music-for-health advocate, Bexi played at Summer Strum the year it went online and is really looking forward to performing live at the festival this year.
The Quay Notes
This band of like-minded players play for fun and for charity events. Based at the Lock and Quay Community pub in Bootle, the band is available for hire for gigs or private parties. Their music ranges from old 60s and 70s classics through to modern pop.
The UkuLaLas
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A diverse group of friends who started performing together 4 years ago. With varying levels of musical experience they come together with a lively vibe! No George Formby but some surprises.
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