Splintered Ukes

Returning to the Summer Strum for their legendary Saturday night headline slot,

Splintered Ukes are an eight piece ukulele band like ya ain't seen before.

With five ukes, a bass uke and a cajon drum, they skillfully reimagine classic and modern songs, from Steelers Wheels to Bruno Mars via Massive Attack, Technotronic and Queen. They can (normally) be found gigging at  Sound City, LIMF, the Summer Strum, beer festivals in St George's Hall & Waterloo or at their regular appearances at The Pen Factory and The Handy Man in Liverpool. 

Expect a masterclass in ukulele cool. It's also possible you might get roped into a conga!

Northern Ukes

Bringing the festival to a dynamic end,  Sunday night headliners Northern Ukes

are a 7 piece Ukulele Band based in the Sefton area of North Liverpool. Expect tight melodic harmonies and an eclectic mix of music from the 60's onwards, but be prepared for plenty of 80's!   Northern Ukes will also introduce the Strum '21 farewell mega-jam straight after their set, so get your ukuleles ready to join in!

The Bowie Ukes

This year, Pat, Em & the Hoylake team have handed the baton over to new festival organisers - The Bowie Ukes.

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They've been working hard to recreate the glorious spirit of The Summer Strum at it's exciting new venue at The Junction, Rainford. 

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. 

Ukulele Club Liverpool 

In addition to their performances on the main stages, UCL will

lead the breakfast group jam sessions each morning. 

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They are an 18+ social music club designed to prove that you

can learn to play music at any age. They run termly sessions for absolute beginners through to advanced, which also incorporate song writing, vocal training, arranging and performance skills.

They regularly gig at events and have played Summer Strum (Hoylake) since it's inception.

D'Ukes of Hazzard

Firm favourites on the ukulele circuit, The D’ukes began as a group of Ukulele Club Liverpool graduates and have collected folk from the pub along the way. 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. 

Two Of Us

Two people, two voices, two ukes, one banjo, one flute, one guitar... oh and a melodica and sometimes a penny whistle and maybe a saw one day!

A sweet, simple sound born out of an intuitive friendship.

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.

Broken Strings

Loose, relaxed and all about having fun, Broken Strings are a musical cornucopia of guitars, ukes, accordion, mandolin, flute, harmonica, bass, percussion and vocals covering everything from The Band to Gershwin.

Grab it & Bang

Playing a mix of off the wall covers and original songs, Grab It & Bang bring together a slice of southern gothic with a dash of alternative country & a hint of bluegrass. With an obvious love of the music they play, they truly come into their own 

performing for a live audience.

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!

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.

Funky Ukes

Formed in early 2020, the Funky Ukes are a group of seasoned performers from diverse musical backgrounds. Guilty of a litany of musical misdemeanours, they are currently believed to be in lockdown in the Liverpool area, preparing their next escapade. They are known to possess ukuleles and are not afraid to use them.

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.

Big John Healy

& his Manlele

Having played guitar from aged 15, John got his first uke a couple of years ago & was invited to play on the stage at The Liverpool Empire. He joined The Bowie Ukes, playing at Summer Strum (Hoylake) & Bickerstock festivals. Influenced by Bob Dylan, Simon & Garfunkel and Neil Young, Big John takes the stage solo this year, accompanied only by his manlele!

Corinne Finnan

Corinne originally played six strings in a guitar duo, then solo guitar and vocals in pubs and folk clubs. She took up ukulele in 2010 playing rock, blues and soul and performing vocals with Nantwich band, the N’Ukes. Since 2015 she has been part of the band Rebuked, adding a bit of reggae and indie to the mix. She sings gentle singer/songwriter numbers, but there will always be blues!

The Vanderlows

Thrown together from around the world, a bloke from Merseyside, two kick-ass girls, they get together and decide to form The Vanderlows. Take a bass, a uke, some kitten ears, three good friends - their laughs and smiles and tears, sing your heart out, to the story of the Vanderlows.

Sebukulele

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 (GNUF & Summer Strum) and Japan (Ukulele Happy Hour Festival). He has made 3 LPs - Citrus Depressa (2017), Les jours heureux (2018) and Le voyage aux milles voluptés (2020).

Secret’s Out

Secret’s Out is a “supergroup” formed to bring 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.

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.

YinYan Band

The 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.

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.

Miss Petalface

Miss Petalface is a quirky & expressive singer-songwriter from Liverpool, who fumbles through life and writes to deal with that. 

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.

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.

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 .

Ukes at the Wharf

This 12-piece perform covers from the 40’s through to the 90’s, but favour early rock n roll. They’ve played many venues including The Atkinson, Rainford Uke Fest, Chevasse Park & Summer Strum Hoylake.

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.

Go with the Flow

Go with the Flow are a 5 piece band playing covers of great music from the 50’s up to the present. They featue a variety of instruments and musical styles.

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!

The Mighty 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.

Liverpool Music Lab

A group of musicians who like to play music together, grow their skills, write, create, perform and socialise! They meet weekly on Mon and Wed, usually in a pub, to jam together and work out arrangements for a repertoire of songs. All abilities welcome!

Opera-lele is a unique comedy music act specialising in performing music from opera and musical theatre accompanied by the emotionally powerful yet understated twang of their ukuleles.

UKES 4 U

UKES 4 U is comprised of Bob on uke & vocals with Chris on bass. Previously members of the LUO for 7 years, this duo can now be found entertaining residents and staff in care homes free of charge and raising money for their chosen charity Marie Curie.

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.

Helen Maw

Helen Maw is a singer/songwriter from Liverpool who has released several original songs. Her latest, "Playing with Fire" is available to stream on Spotify.

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.

Idle Ukes

Formed in 2018 by UCL members Kate & Gillian, two working mums on a part-time musical mission. Later joined by   husbands, Dave &  John, who handily brought some keyboard & drum skills to the party. They play punk through country to folk, rock and  pop.

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. 

Happy Pluckers

The Happy Pluckers have played at World Ukulele Day and The Summer Strum Hoylake.

A duo of 2 young lads aged 10 and 18 who like to belt out some oldies. Strummer Boys busk in the city centre regularly and really enjoyed playing at World Ukulele Day.

Young at Heart

Are a duo that have been playing together for about 5 years.  They have played at many festivals all over the country, including Hudersfiled, Hoylake, and  Colwyn Bay. They will both be 80 this year hence the name Young at Heart. 

Ukulele Jukebox

Ukulele Jukebox consists of Mike Gradwell Concert, Kizzy Felstead Tenor, melodica, percussion and hammer and chisel, Bob Sapey Bass. They perform covers and originals

Wild Pear

This talented duo have played at Summer Strum, Hoylake a few times and will also be running the Hanky Panky pancake stall at this year's event.

Wigan Ukulele Club

Established in 2009 Wigan Ukulele Club have around 90 members & normally play around 60 gigs a year, such as the Southport Flower Show and various steam rallies. They enjoy themselves and raise £12,000 a year for charity.