NORWICH BEER FESTIVAL

Norwich Beer Festival Entertainment 1977 to 2023

(overview of music, not a history of the festival)

The Norwich branch of Camera (campaign for real ale) formed in 1975. The Beer Festival started in 1977.

The first festival was funded by the branch members and although successful made a loss because although the

hall was always full there was not enough customer turnaround to sell all the beer.

Information we are after, and abbreviations.

LTS = Lunch Time Session / EES = Early Evening Session / MS = Main Session / NL = Not Listed

1977: 1^st Festival (dates:                           - Held in: Blackfriars Hall

Festival Organiser:

Music Organiser:                                     / Sound Engineer:

Bands:

Source:

1978: 2^nd Festival (dates:                           - Held in: St Andrews Hall

Festival Organiser:

Music Organiser:                                     / Sound Engineer:

Bands:

Source:

1979: No Festival

1980: 3^rd Festival (dates:                           - Held in:

Festival Organiser:

Music Organiser:                                     / Sound Engineer:

Bands:

Source:

1981: 4^th Festival (dates:                           - Held in:

Festival Organiser:

Music Organiser:                                     / Sound Engineer:

Bands:

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1982: 5^th Festival (dates:                           - Held in:

Festival Organiser:

Music Organiser:                                     / Sound Engineer:

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1983: 6^th Festival (dates:                           - Held in:

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1984: 7^th Festival (dates:                           - Held in:

Festival Organiser:

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1985: 8^th Festival (dates:                           - Held in:

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1986: 9^th Festival (dates:                           - Held in:

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1987: 10^th Festival (dates:                           - Held in:

Festival Organiser:

Music Organiser:                                     / Sound Engineer:

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1988: 11^th Festival (dates:                           - Held in:

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1989: 12^th Festival (dates:                           - Held in:

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1990:  13^th Festival (dates:                           - Held in:

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1991: 14^th Festival (dates:                           - Held in:

Festival Organiser:

Music Organiser:                                     / Sound Engineer:

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1992: 15th Festival (dates:                           - Held in:

Festival Organiser:

Music Organiser:                                     / Sound Engineer:

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1993: 16^th Festival (dates:                           - Held in:

Festival Organiser:

Music Organiser:                                     / Sound Engineer:

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Source:

1994: 17^th Festival (24^th- 29^th Oct) - Held in: Main Stage in St Andrews Hall/Blackfriars Hall

Festival Organiser:

Music Organiser:                                     / Sound Engineer:

Mon24^th Oct: LTS: NL / MS: Way Out West 

Tues25^th Oct: LTS: Three Busketeers / MS: Sole Bay Jazz Band 

Wed26^th Oct: LTS: Three Busketeers and Derek Warne / EES: Folklaw / MS: Drayton Brass Band   

Thurs27^th Oct: LTS: Lee Vasey Trio / EES: Hunky Dory / MS: Aylsham Evening Band 

Fri28^th Oct:  LTS: Derek Warn Sextet / EES: Rhythm ‘N’ Reeds / MS: Jonathan Wyatt Big Band  

Sat29^th Oct: LTS: Die Bayern Kapelle Oompah Band / EES: The Yarebeats / MS: Lucas & His Soul Band

Other acts to play are listed as:  Derek Warne & Friends were also playing early evening slots on Mon, Tues & Wed. Dick LeGrice was on the Concert Organ during the Tues, Thurs and Fri lunchtimes and on Wed and Thurs evenings.

Source: event programme.

1995: 18^th Festival (dates:                           - Held in:

Festival Organiser:

Music Organiser:                                     / Sound Engineer:

Bands:

Source:

1996: 19^th Festival (28^th Oct - 2^nd Nov) - Held in: Main Stage in St Andrews Hall/Blackfriars Hall

Festival Organiser: Alan Edwards

Music Organiser:                                     / Sound Engineer:

Mon 28^th: LTS: NL / MS: Way Out West

Tues 29^th: LTS: Three Busketeers  / MS: Sole Bay Jazz Band

Wed 30^th: LTS: Three Busketeers / MS: The Drayton Band

Thurs 31^st: LTS: Gallery String Quartet / MS: Aylsham Silver Band

Fri 1^st : LTS: Derek Warne Sextet / MS: Jonathan Wyatt Big Band

Sat 2^nd: LTS: Die Bayerne Kapelle Oompah Band / EES: The Yarebeats / MS: Lucas & His Band

Other acts to play are listed as: Spot The Coyote / Hunky Dory / Rhythm ‘N’ Reeds / Derek Warne on Piano / Dick LeGrice on the Concert Organ.

Source: event programme.

1997: 20^th Festival (dates:                           - Held in: Main Stage in St Andrews Hall/Blackfriars Hall

Festival Organiser:

Music Organiser:                                     / Sound Engineer:

Mon ??: LTS : NL / EES: Derek Warne Trio /MS: Cleaving Heavages

Tues ??: LTS: The Derek Warne Quartet with Helen Welch (Broadway Star); Dick LeGrice on Organ / EES: Busketeers / MS: Barry Tylers Original Dixielanders (Barry is leader of The Water Rats)

Wed ??: LTS: The Gallery String Quartet; Dick LeGrice on Organ / EES: Wahoo Tahoos /MS: Drayton Band

Thurs ??: LTS: Busketeers / EES: The Chris Walls Swing Band with Helen Welch (Broadway Star) / MS: Aylsham Band

Fri ??: LTS: Vintage Hot Orch; Dick LeGrice on the organ / EES: Jonathan Wyatt Orch / MS: Derek Warne Trio

Sat ??: LTS : Cromer Smugglers / MS: Orford Cellar Reunion: The Offbeats with Stewart Mackintosh, Soul Reaction, Lucas & His Soul Band

Source: évent programme.

1998: 21^st Festival (26^th – 31^st Oct) – Held in: Main Stage in St Andrews Hall/Blackfriars Hall

Festival Organiser: Alan Edwards

Music Organiser:                                     / Sound Engineer:

Mon26^th: LTS: NL / MS: Cleaving Heavages

Tues27^th: LTS: Medusa Quartet; Ron Bowyer & His Hurdy Gurdy / EES: Derek Warne /MS: Chris Walls Swing Band

Wed28^th: LTS: Gallery String Quartet / EES: Happy Feet Swing Band / MS: The Cawston band

Thurs29^th: LTS: Busketeers; Ron Bowyer & His Hurdy Gurdy  / EES: Derek Warne / MS: The Aylsham Bd

Fri30^th: LTS: Vintage Hot Orch / EES: Cromer Smugglers / and Jonathan Wyatt Big Band 

Sat31^st: LTS: Sheringham Shantymen / MS: Orford Cellar Reunion: The Offbeats, Soul Reaction and Garry Freeman & The New Contours

1999: 22^nd Festival (dates:                           - Held in:

Festival Organiser:

Music Organiser:                                     / Sound Engineer:

Bands:

Source:

2000: 23^rd Festival (23^rd - 28^th Oct ) - Held in: Main Stage in St Andrews Hall/Blackfriars Hall

Festival Organiser: Alan Edwards

Music Organiser:                                     / Sound Engineer:

Mon23^rd: LTS: NL /MS: Cleaving Heevages

Tues24^th: LTS: Mike Capocci Quintet / MS: Albert Blues & Boogie Band

Wed25^th: LTS: Gallery String Quartet / EES: Mike Capocci Duo / MS: Cawston Band

Thurs26^th: LTS: Mike Capocci Septet with April Pond; The Busketeers / MS: Aylsham Band

Fri27^th: LTS: Vintage Hot Orch / EES: Mike Capocci Duo / MS: Jonathan Wyatt Orch with vocalist

Sat28^th: Cromer Smugglers; Mike Capocci Quartet / Orford Celler Reunion: The Offbeats with Stuart Mackintosh; Garry Freeman & The New Contours

Source: event programme

2001: 24^th Festival (dates:                           - Held in:

Festival Organiser:

Music Organiser:                                     / Sound Engineer:

Bands:

Source:

2002: 25^th Festival (28^thOct - 02 Nov) – Held in: Main Stage in St Andrews Hall/Blackfriars Hall + Marquee

Festival Organiser: Alan Edwards

Music Organiser:                                     / Sound Engineer:

Mon28^th: LTS: NL / MS: Scratch The Cat

Tues29^th: LTS: Mike Capocci (Duo/Trio/Quartet) / EES:  Mollyhawks / MS: Pants

Wed30^th: LTS: Gallery String Quartet / MS: Cawston Brass Band (est:1886)

Thurs31^st: LTS: Mike Capocci (Duo/Trio/Quartet) / EES: Mooncoin / MS: Aylsham Silver Band 

Fri1^st: LTS: Mike Capocci (Duo/Tri/Quartet) / MS: Cleaving Heavages  

Sat2^nd:  LTS: Sheringham Shantymen / EES: Fourplay / MS: B C Sweet (Sweet Glam Rock Tribute)

No other acts were listed but intermittent performances were performed on the St Andrews Hall Organ. The organ was installed in 1884. It was later upgraded to a full concert organ and received a full renovation during the 1980’s.

Source: event programme

2003: 26^th Festival (27^thOct – 1^st Nov) – Held in: Main Stage in St Andrews Hall/Blackfriars Hall + Marquee

Festival Organiser: Martin Ward (1^st Fest although in 2007 programme says 2004 til present)

Music Organiser:                                     / Sound Engineer:

Mon27^thOct: LTS: NL / MS: Scratch The Cat 

Tues28^thOct: LTS: Mike Capocci Quartet & Gina Brown / EES: NL / MS: Airstar 

Wed29^th: LTS: Mike Capocci Trio / EES: Mooncoin / MS: Cawston Band 

Thurs30^th: LTS: Mike Capocci Trio / EES: Von Crapp Family / MS: Pavilion Band (Big Band?) 

Fri31^st: LTS: Gallery String Quartet / EES: Harv’s / MS: Cleaving Heavages  

Sat01^st:  LTS: Sheringham Shantymen / EES: Mas Salsa / MS: Emma Hall Band

Note: One of the charities to benefit from this year’s festival was Musical Keys.

2004: 27^th Festival (25^th- 30^th Oct) - Held in: Main Stage in St Andrews Hall/Blackfriars Hall + Marquee

Festival Organiser: Martin Ward

Music Organiser:                                     / Sound Engineer:

Mon 25^th: LTS: NL / MS: Night Train (supported by Ridley’s Brewery)

Tues 26^th: LTS: Mike Capocci Quartet with Gina Brown / MS: Dynamite (supported by Mouldon’s Brewery)

Wed 27^th: LTS: Mike Capocci Trio / EES: Harvs / MS: Cawston Band (supported by Bateman’s Brewery)

Thurs 28^th: LTS: Mike Capocci Trio / EES: Von Krapp Family / MS: Pavilion Big Band (supported by Nethergate Brewery)

Fri 29^th: LTS: Gallery String Quartet / EES: Mooncoin / MS: Emma Hall band (supported by Adnams)

Sat 30^th: LTS: Cromer Smugglers / EES: Groove Train / Garry Freeman & The New Contours

Source: event programme

2005: 28^th Festival (24^th- 29^th Oct) Held in: Main Stage in St Andrews Hall/Blackfriars Hall + Marquee

Festival Organiser: Martin Ward

Music Organiser: Bram Lowe / Sound Engineer: Stewart Graham

Mon24^th: LTS: NL / MS: Klunk

Tue25^th: LTS: Mike Capocci Trio / MS: Dynamite

Wed26^th: LTS: Mike Capocci Trio / MS: Cawston Band

Thur27^th: LTS: Mike Capocci Trio / EES: Von Krapp Family / MS: Pavilion Big Band

Fri28^th: LTS: Gallery String Quartet / EES: Matt Hodges Band / MS: Groovetrain

Sat 29^th: LTS: Sheringham Shantymen / EES: Ugly Dog Skiffle Group / MS: Harv’s

Extra unlisted sessions were provided by Robert Woodcock on the St Andrews Hall Organ.

Source: event programme

2006: 29^th Festival (23^rd- 28^th Oct) Held in: Main Stage in St Andrews Hall/Blackfriars Hall + Marquee

Festival Organiser:  Martin Ward

Music Organiser:  Bram Lowe / Sound Engineer: Stewart Graham

Mon23^rd: LTS: NL  / EES: St Andrews Hall Organ – Robert Woodcock / MS: Norfolk Wherry Band

Tue24^th: LTS: Gallery String Quartet / MS: NL

Wed25^th: LTS: Mike Capocci Trio / MS: Cawston Band

Thur26^th: LTS: Mike Capocci Trio / EES: Mooncoin / MS: Aylsham Silver Band

Fri27^th: LTS: St Andrews Hall Organ – Robert Woodcock; Mike Capocci Trio / EES: Red Herrings / MS: Pavilion Band

Sat28^th: LTS: Steelettos Steel Band / MS: Cawston Brass Band      

Source: event programme

2007: 30^th Festival (22^nd- 27^th Oct) Held in: Main Stage in St Andrews Hall/Blackfriars Hall + Marquee

Festival Organiser: Martin Ward

Music Organiser:                                     / Sound Engineer:

Mon22^nd: LTS: No listed / EES: Richard Woodcock on the St Andrew’s Hall Organ (also seen as Robert) / MS: Taverham Band 

Tues23^rd: LTS: Mike Capocci & Friends / MS: NL 

Wed24^th: LTS: Gallery String Quartet / MS: The Cawston Band 

Thurs25^th: LTS: Mike Capocci & Friends / MS: Steelettos Steel Band 

Fri26^th: LTS: Mike Capocci & Friends; Richard Woodcock on the St Andrew’s Hall Organ (also seen as Robert) / EES: The Harv’s / MS: The Wherry Band  

Sat27^th: LTS: Sheringham Shantymen / EES: Ugly Dog Skiffle Band / MS: Cawston Band

Extra unlisted sessions were provided by Robert/Richard Woodcock on the St Andrews Hall Organ.

Source: event programme

2008: 31^st Festival (27^th Oct - 1^st Nov) Held in: Main Stage in St Andrews Hall/Blackfriars Hall + Marquee

Festival Organiser: Martin Ward

Music Organiser:                                     / Sound Engineer: (I can’t hear my monitors & co)

Mon27^th: LTS: NL / EES: St Andrews Hall Organ / MS: Matthews Norfolk Brass 

Tues28^th: LTS: Mike Capocci & Friends / MS: NL 

Wed29^th: LTS: Gallery String Quartet / EES: Mollyhawk /MS: The Cawston Band 

Thurs30^th: LTS: Mike Capocci Quartet / EES: Rum Brothers / MS: The Norfolk Wherry Brass Band 

Fri31^st: LTS: Minstrel’s Gallery / EES: The Harv’s / MS: Steeletto’s Steel Band  

Sat01^st: LTS: Cromer Smugglers / EES: Stone Cold Sober / MS: Cawston Band

Extra unlisted sessions were provided by Robert/Richard Woodcock on the St Andrews Hall Organ.

Source: event programme

2009: 32^nd Festival (26^th- 31^st Oct) Held in: Main Stage in St Andrews Hall/Blackfriars Hall + Marquee

Festival Organiser: Martin Ward

Music Organiser:                                     / Sound Engineer: (I can’t hear my monitors)

Mon26th: LTS: NL / EES: St Andrews Hall Organ with Robert Woodcock / MS: Taverham Band 

Tues27th: LTS: St Andrews Hall Organ with Robert Woodcock; Mike Capocci / MS: NL 

Wed28th: LTS: Gallery String Quartet / EES: The Floozies /MS: The Cawston Band 

Thurs29th: LTS: St Andrews Hall Organ with Robert Woodcock; Mike Capocci / EES: Rum Brothers / MS: The Norfolk Wherry Brass Band 

Fri30st: LTS: St Andrews Hall Organ with Robert Woodcock; Minstrel’s Gallery / EES: Stone Cold Sober / MS: Norwich Concert Brass  

Sat31st: LTS: Cromer Smugglers / EES: Stone Cold Sober / MS: Cawston Band

Source: event programme

2010: 33^rd Festival (25^th-30^th Oct) Held in: Main Stage in St Andrews Hall/Blackfriars Hall + Marquee

Festival Organiser: Martin Ward

Music Organiser:                                     / Sound Engineer: (I can’t hear my monitors)

Mon25^th: LTS: NL / MS: Dereham Band 

Tues26^th: LTS: Minstrels Gallery / MS: NL 

Wed27^th: LTS: Mike Capocci / EES: Hayley Moyse & The Blue Grass Forum /MS: The Cawston Band 

Thurs28^th: LTS: Gallery String Quartet / EES: The Floozies / MS: The Norfolk Wherry Brass Band

Fri29^th: LTS: Minstrels Gallery / EES: Rum Brothers / MS: Norfolk Wherry Brass Band  

Sat30^th: LTS: Sheringham Shantymen / EES: The Harv’s / MS: Cawston Band

Extra music supplied on the St Andrews hall Organ, player not listed

Source: event programme

2011: 34^th Festival (24th-29th Oct) Held in: Main Stage in St Andrews Hall/Blackfriars Hall + Marquee

Festival Organiser: Martin Ward

Music Organiser:                                     / Sound Engineer: (I can’t hear my monitors & co)

Mon24^th: LTS: NL / MS: Dereham Band 

Tues25^th: LTS: Minstrels Gallery / MS: NL 

Wed26^th: LTS: Tommy Thomas / EES: Hayley Moyse & The Blue Grass Forum /MS: The Cawston Band 

Thurs27^th: LTS: Gallery String Quartet / EES: Crumbs For Comfort / MS: Taverham Band

Fri28^th: LTS: Dave Thomas (blues) / EES: Stone Cold Sober / MS: Norfolk Wherry Brass Band  

Sat29^th: LTS: Norwich Ukulele Society; Sheringham Shantymen / EES: The Harv’s / MS: Cawston Band

Source: event programme

2012: 35^th Festival (29^thOct- 03^rdNov) Held in: Main Stage in St Andrews Hall/Blackfriars Hall + Marquee

Festival Organiser: Martin Ward

Music Organiser:                                     / Sound Engineer: (I can’t hear my monitors & co)

Mon29^th: LTS: No Music / MS: Hellesdon & Sprowston Brass

Tues30^th: LTS: Minstrels Gallery / MS: Music Free Evening 

Wed31^st: LTS: Gallery String Quartet / EES: Hayley Moyses Blue Grass Forum / MS: The Cawston Band 

Thurs01^st: LTS: Norwich Ukulele Society / EES: Cleaving Heevages / MS: Taverham Band

Fri02^nd: LTS: Dixieland Jazz / EES: Dave Thomas Blues / MS: Norfolk Wherry Brass Band  

Sat03^rd: LTS: Sheringham Shantymen / EES: The Harv’s / MS: Cawston Band

Source: event programme

2013: 36^th Festival (28^thOct- 02^rd Nov) Held in: Main Stage in St Andrews Hall/Blackfriars Hall + Marquee

Festival Organiser: Martin Ward

Music Organiser:                                     / Sound Engineer: (I can’t hear my monitors & co)

Mon28^th: LTS: No Music / MS: Hellesdon & Sprowston Brass

Tues29^th: LTS: Minstrels Gallery / MS: Music Free Evening 

Wed30^th: LTS: Norfolk Jazz Quartet / EES: Hayley Moyses Blue Grass Forum /MS: The Cawston Band 

Thurs31^st: LTS: The Vagaband / EES: Dave Thomas Blues / MS: Taverham Band

Fri01^st: LTS: Dixie Mix Jazz Band / EES: Cleaving Heavages / MS: Norfolk Wherry Brass Band  

Sat02^nd: LTS: Sheringham Shantymen / EES: The Harv’s / MS: Cawston Band

Source: event programme

2014: 37^th Festival (27^thOct- 01^stNov) Held in: Main Stage in St Andrews Hall/Blackfriars Hall + Marquee

Festival Organiser: Martin Ward

Music Organiser:                                     / Sound Engineer:

Mon27^th: LTS: No Music / MS: Hellesdon & Sprowston Brass

Tues28^th: LTS: Vivace String Quartet / MS: Music Free Evening 

Wed29^th: LTS: Norfolk Jazz Quartet / EES: Hayley Moyses Blue Grass Forum /MS: The Cawston Band 

Thurs30^th: LTS: The Vagaband / EES: Dave Thomas Blues Band / MS: Taverham Band

Fri31^st: LTS: Dixie Mix Jazz Band / EES: Cleaving Heevages / MS: Norfolk Wherry Brass Band  

Sat01^st: LTS: Sheringham Shantymen / EES: The Harv’s / MS: Cawston Band

Source: event programme

2015: 38^th Festival (Dates: ) Held in:

Festival Organiser:

Music Organiser:                                     / Sound Engineer:

Mon:

Tues:

Wed:

Thurs:

Fri:  

Sat:

Source:

2016: 39^th Festival (24^th- 29^th Oct) Held in: Main Stage in St Andrews Hall/Blackfriars Hall + Marquee

Festival Organiser: Robert Derbridge

Music Organiser:                                     / Sound Engineer:

Mon24^th: LTS: No Music / MS: Hellesdon & Sprowston Brass

Tues25^th: LTS: Vivace String Quartet / MS: Music Free Evening 

Wed26^th: LTS: Norfolk Jazz Quartet / EES: Hayley Moyses Blue Grass Forum /MS: The Cawston Band 

Thurs27^th: LTS: The Vagaband / EES: Dave Thomas Blues Band / MS: Taverham Band

Fri28^th: LTS: Dixie Mix Jazz Band / EES: Cleaving Heevages / MS: Norfolk Wherry Brass Band  

Sat01st: LTS: Sheringham Shantymen / EES: The Harv’s / MS: Cawston Band

Source: event programme

2017: 40^th Festival (dates required)

2018 41^st Festival (22^nd – 27^th Oct)

2019

2020 42^nd Festival (dates required)

2021 43^rd Festival (dates required)

No music because of budget restrictions (first festival after Covid)

2022 44^th Festival (dates required)

2023 45^th Festival (dates required)

Thurs ?? Dec 2023: BFH Eve: The Hot Crumbs

Fri ?? Dec 2023: BFH Lunch: The Macarnos /BFH Eve: The Dirigibles

Sat ?? Dec 2023: BFH Lunch: Robin Evans Esq ssw / BFH Afternoon: Felix Simpson ssw / BFH Eve: The Collective