Feast your eyes on the AMAZING line up we have for you at Summer Strum Festival 2024 in Hoylake!
Summer Strum legends The Splintered Ukes are back to headline this year's festival with their eclectic mash-ups and fabulous floor-fillers. Never before have 3 ukes, a drum kit, a bass and the enigma that is the 'bag of noise’ created so much fun!
Famed for their versatile covers, Splintered Ukes leap from Bruno Mars to Jimi Hendrix, The Rolling Stones to Amy Winehouse, climaxing with Queen and Candi Staton.
Catch them on Saturday on the Main Stage at 9.30 and don't forget to bring your A-game!
Midlife Crisis Club
Now we are really spoiling you as Wirral's electrifying time-traveling trio take the Sunday night headliners spot for the first time. From the 70s to the 00s, they blend nostalgic acoustic covers with ukulele surprises. A sonic spectacle meets fashion extravaganza. Feel the big gig energy with down-to-earth vibes and audience involvement. Get ready to dance through the decades as Midlife Crisis Club redefine musical nostalgia!
Find them on the Main Stage on Sunday at 6.45, where they'll also be kicking off the farewell-strum-along from 7.40.
Strum-along songs here >
The Funky Ukes
A band born just before lockdown containing members from all walks of life with a love for harmonies & alcohol. Our song choices range from self penned cool to raunchy blues & many genres in between, something for everyone!
The Bowie Ukes
With foundations cemented firmly in fun & friendship, this Liverpool band of 30+ play lively sets reflecting their mix of ages and musical tastes.
Having played at festivals and gigs for the last 5 years, they now help to run the Summer Strum & can be found practicing at The Halfway House every Tuesday, where they welcome anyone who wants to come along and join in.
Small Town
Splitters
The Small Town Splitters are 3 noisy Scots-based rockers. 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 D'Ukes will be leading the Saturday afternoon strum-along at 3pm in the Marquee Tent.
Ukuladies
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Ukuladies are a 5 piece uke band of lifelong friends. They sing and play songs which shine a light on female songwriters and musicians from the 1960s to the present day.
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 have you off your seats dancing and singing along.
Get your glow-sticks ready as the Monastery of Sound takes you on a nostalgic journey from 60s soul deep into 90's rave. They will play classic soul anthem after classic rave anthem that will have you big-fish-little-fish-cardboard-boxing and mash-potatoing like there's no tomorrow. But there is, so save some energy for the rest of the weekend!
The Monastery
of Sound
F**king Ukeless
Born out of a surfeit of ukulele music… Fuelled only by chips and Prosecco… The result of manning the sound desk for 100s of ukulele bands… An idea gradually took shape in the fog and confusion of DI boxes and tinnitus… surely the sound men were musicians too… Could it be payback time? And so F**king Ukeless was born. Best taken with a pinch of salt and after an excess of your favourite tipple…
No they won't be playing the ukulele, but they will be doing the sound all weekend for everyone, so they can literally do as they like!
Uke Tok
UkeTok is an online uke club with members all over the country. They usually meet over the internet to play together, thanks to some marvellous technology. They'll be bringing their own euphoric and accessible style of play-along jam to the festival on Saturday morning at 10.30, using a songbook that looks like karaoke.
What better way to get everyone warmed up for an amazing weekend?
You can get the music to play along by clicking here >
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 in 2021 and she can be found performaing at festivals & gigs across the UK. In addition to her stellar performances, Alison will be running a songwriting workshop at this year's festival to let you into the secrets of her success.
With his ukulele, Sebastien Tailhandier (aka Sebukulele) plays his self-penned French/ Japanese infused songs. He is a graphic designer living in Paris and spends his vacations at ukulele festivals in France, UK and Japan. He's a finalists in the International Ukulele Festival of Hawaii 2024 and will go to Honolulu to play after the Summer Strum.
Sebukulele
Broken Strings
Broken Strings are the original Summer Strum all-stars band!
With Summer Strum legend Pat amongst the line-up, they are not to be missed.
F@*k Cancer!
Anne Renaud
Anne Renaud is a happy ukulele player from Paris, who enjoys performing pop-rock covers. She played at the Ukulele Festival of Marseille and at the Anako scene in Paris. She is also a member of Anne et les Loups.
Liverpool Ukulele Orchestra
The Liverpool Ukulele Orchestra are an established band who have been in existence for over 10 years, having started as the Rock & Roll Society. Based at the Conservative Club in Huyton, they meet every Wednesday from 8 pm.
Wirral Ukulele Fanatics
Raucous, amorphous, cacophonous, occasionally amorous collective of ukulele-ists. We bring the band and the crowd, we bring the colour and the vibe, and we bring the love for music and community. Maybe the only band that you could actually join on the day
The Leftovers
The Leftovers serve up a tasty mix of original songs celebrating life's rich tapestry & the sparks that connect us. Christine, Debs, Mark & Robin were 'leftovers' from the YinYanBand and they're going to spice up your life!
They will also be hosting the Power Ballad Yoga at 11.30am on Saturday in the Summer Strum Gazebo..
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 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. 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.
Anne et
les Loups
Having smashed it at various venues around France, Anne et les Loups are bringing their gorgeous voices and beautiful energy to this year's Summer Strum. They've even been writing new songs! Definitely one to look forward to.
Pandemic Pluckers
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. Last year they gave Summer Strum a massive injection of fun. Can't wait to see what they get up to this year.
The Koswecans
A local collective who have great fun playing together whenever and wherever possible. They have played in aid of many charities and community events.
Simply KOSWECAN!
Buzz Cadillac was conceived in the pulsating screams of a Memphis concert hall and came to being as a fully formed man in leopard print clothes, armed with a ukulele and his wit.
Buzz rescued Clare Corvette from captivity where she was held by nuns in another dimension.
Buzz and Clare freed Bobby Buick from the Garstang goblins and together they became Buzz Cadillac & the Lightning Rods.
Buzz Cadillac and the Lightning Rods
Ukulele Buddies
Based in Ainsdale near Southport these Summer Strum regulars love playing unconventional ukulele songs and big sing alongs. Last year they opened the Southport Flower Show, playing to 11,000 visitors. In collaboration with the North West Ukulele Project and Kari Uke they champion the Southport Ukulele Lending Library & beginners courses to help new players on their journey. For further details visit ukulelebuddies.co.uk
Cross Border Blues Revival
A duo from both sides of the border with a love for blues music.
Not UkuLaLas
A diverse group of friends who started performing together 5 years ago. With varying levels of musical experience they come together with a lively vibe! No George Formby but some surprises.
Ukes on Track
Ukes on Track are a diverse and friendly band of all musical tastes and abilities who meet up weekly to play together.
The Uke-Stars
Enthusiastic and eclectic, The UkeStars began life as a community ukulele group based in Alt Valley Community Trust in Croxteth. Strumming together for just under a year, The UkeStars aim to spread joy and music wherever they go.
The Funday Fridays just want to have fun. They meet at Thurstaston Caravan Owners Association Social Club every Friday morning, hence the name. Formed last May, the group has grown from 25 to over 50, with all levels of talent.
Funday Fridays
Pat & Em
Pat and Em are the mothers of the original Summer Strum Hoylake, who get together intermittently to play. Performing at the Strum and seeing all their ukulele family is always something they look forward to.
Fabulous solo artist performing at Summer Strum for the second time.
Billi Sunshine
Formed in 2019, this group of new and experienced players has grown to nearly 60 members who meet on Friday mornings.
They play a wide selection of songs they enjoy. A core group of 14 members charity fundraise for local causes and enjoy adding new songs to stretch the group.
Heswall
Ukulele Group
Formby UKE3A
A group of old aged pensioners who love to entertain and have fun. They have a wide range of genres and styles covering everything from Joe Brown, Elvis, Lonnie Donegan to The Beatles, Traveling Wilburys and Rod Stewart. They enjoy playing songs that people know and can sing along to.
Ukellas
A group of friendly individuals who love music and enjoy meeting up every Monday from 5pm to 7pm at Brookvale Community Centre. They play an eclectic mix of songs and are always happy to try a new tune. Formed in 2018 they always welcome new players, including complete beginners.
Northwich Uke Club
Northwich Uke Club formed in 2021 and now have over 35 members. They perform hits by The Killers, David Bowie, Blondie, R.E.M and The Foo Fighters and have played several festivals. Still they can't wait to return to the mighty Summer Strum!
Formed 5 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 Band
Ormskirk Ukulele Band offers a welcoming environment for people to develop their ukulele skills and enjoy meeting up to play. They are stalwarts of the ukulele circuit and are very much looking forward to returning to perform at Summer Strum this year.
Ormskirk Ukulele Band
Corinne Finnan
Corinne has been treading the musical boards for a few decades now in various guises! She began her ukulele career playing rock, blues and soul performing vocals with Nantwich band, the N’Ukes. Since 2015 she has been part of Rebuked, continuing in the same vein with a bit of reggae and indie thrown in. She adds some gentle singer/songwriter numbers into the mix, but there will always be blues!
Lostock Ukes
Forming in Lostock Gralam, Northwich in 2016 they have steadily grown in number, confidence and technique in their short life to become, possibly, the most-fun ukulele group in the district!
During 2022 we played for 81 organisations including 14 performances in 11 days over the Queen’s Jubilee.
Parkulele
During lockdown these 6 uke friends met to play at a park bandstand and found that people came to listen!
The Parkulele Band was born.
Their sets include an eclectic mix of Rock & Roll, Pop classics, Popular Folk and everything in between. They love a party atmosphere and encourage audience participation to the full.
BUG Band
B.U.G BAND are a fun-loving band that can suit most occasions, playing music from the 50's & 60's.
Ukellas
A group of friendly individuals who love music and enjoy meeting up every Monday from 5pm to 7pm at Brookvale Community Centre. They play an eclectic mix of songs and are always happy to try a new tune. Formed in 2018 they always welcome new players, including complete beginners.
Chester Ukes
Chester Ukes have been around for 11 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.
Tickety Boo
Tickety Boo are a duo consisting of Elaine & Erica who are in loads of other ukulele bands too!
The Quay Notes
The Quay Notes 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.
Close Enough
Close Enough is an exciting new trio consisting of Helen Maw, Ged Lloyd and Mike Bainbridge. With a variety of covers guaranteed to get audiences singing and dancing along, Close Enough perform a plethora of songs from the Swinging 60s to the modern day!
Jefferson Milkfloat
Emerging from the Wirral Ukulele Orchestra, Jefferson Milkfloat have crafted a set of crowd pleasing Uke-abilly skank covers from the 80's, 90's and 00's. From Common People, to the Gorillas, they crank the ukuleles up to 11....
Naive Melodies
Naive Melodies is a St Helens-based duo formed in 2022 having met at Ukulele Club of Liverpool. Their music
encompasses many genres from Northern soul, alternative, new wave, classic rock and pop.
Heswall Strummers
Heswall Strummers were formed 5 years ago and comprise a mixed group of retired wirral residents. They gig exclusively for local and national charities. Whilst predominantly playing ukuleles they also have double base, guitar, harmonica and cajon.
Teulu
Playing an eclectic set of originals and covers, Teulu comprises composer B and vocalist Jane who care passionately about supporting grass roots live music venues which bring so much to their communities. They are sometimes joined on stage by their daughters.
Tom Longman
As well as performing regularly in an acoustic covers trio, Tom performs solo at local pubs covering the 50s to the present day as well as a few of his own original songs. Tom also hosts a twice monthly jam night at The Lake in Hoylake.
Lockdown Ukes
Formed during lockdown, Lockstock Ukes have been performing together since 2022 and are delighted to be playing their first Summer Strum. They perform regularly at Liverpool's Strawberry Fields & played at BUFF 2022.
Barkla Buskers
A fun group of a certain age who always put on a good show for your function.
NB Fiona Bruce is not a member of their group, but they did play at the Antiques Roadshow!
Yooks!
Based in Southport, this band have fun playing all genres of music for charities and audiences around the Merseyside area.
Strumblebees
Spinoffs
What started as 8 friends enjoying a jam turned into the opportunity to gig & have a great deal of fun.
They don’t take it too seriously and enjoy playing a broad repertoire which evolves continuously. They hope you will like.
Strumblebees
This trio of talented musicians can't wait to play their first ever Summer Strum!
Neston Strummers
A band of aging arthritic ukulele players who love having fun and collecting money for charity. They have raised over £20,000 for various local charities, with every penny raised going to fantastic causes, something they are immensely proud of!!!
The EasyBees
The EasyBees are made up of a pinch of Pandemic Pluckers, a dash of Travelling Wannabes with a little D'ukes of Hazzard thrown in for good measure.
Midnight Specials
Born out of a long friendship and a deep love of music, Midnight Special perform songs taken from a broad range of musical tastes comprising original material and covers of Country, Rock, Irish and Americana classics.
Greasby Ukes
Formed ten years ago by Ian Campbell, Greasby Ukes love teaching new players, performing for charities & fundraising events and having fun at the same time.
The 64 N,ukes Entertainers
A Neston based band who cover a wide range of songs.
Their main aim is to have fun and spread the ukulele love ❤️
Lost Cause
Russ has been playing since 2010, having started with Wirral Ukulele Orchestra and currently with Wirral Ukulele Fanatics. He plays anything from the 30s to the 70s.
Dave Voller
From the Wirral, Dave
plays solo and also as part of the 'Midlife Crisis Club' & the 'Wirral ukulele fanatics'. His faves are 80's and 90's indie-rock but he covers songs from most genres and eras.
Middle aged, bald and grumpy he does his best to keep on rockin!
The Rockets
Playing the British legion in Culcheth once a fortnight, The Rockets have different levels of players and have a beginners class . They enjoy playing and banter & basically having fun.
Ukelele Eric
Deciding on a whim about 8 years back to start learning an instrument, Eric took up the uke. He’s now busked and played in various situations. He enjoys older music and comic songs, but plays a wide variety of music from all sorts of genres and eras.
Brewer’s Drupe
A Four piece outfit from Wirral who have been playing together for 3 years. The Drupe host an open mic night at The Brewer's Arms Pub in Neston every other week. They play a wide selection of popular covers with a Pop, Country Americana feel.
Sydney F Smith
A singer-songwriter who has been entertaining with his ukulele since he was 18. He has written many popular songs and has a great rapport with his audiences. Sydney has appeared with the late, great Sir Ken Dodd in his Happiness show at The Floral Pavilion & with BGT at the Liverpool Empire
The Library Band
Formed in Wirral Libraries, where you can borrow ukuleles as well as books, this band can't wait to play their first ever festival.
AB Ukulele Band
Founded in 2019 and made up of enthusiastic players from around the Bridgnorth area, their repertoire includes well known standards from the pop, rock and folk genres with the occasional experimental piece. A hard-working band who play mainly for charity and, of course, for the pure joy of it.
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 now defunct Parbulele Ukulele Festival.