The Woodford Files: Mr. Percival

Over the next couple of months leading to its kick-off, Soulshine will be profiling the artists that we recommend you should get along to see at the Woodford Folk Festival. Running from the 27th of December '08 to the 1st January '09 in the small town of Woodford, QLD, the Woodford Folk Festival collects the finest blues, roots, folk and rock artists nationally and abroad for six days of fine festival action.

In the first instalment of the Woodford Files, Soulshine profiles fan favourite Mr. Percival, a one-man show guaranteed to please the ears, mind and soul.

After several consecutive years of failed applications to the Woodford Folk Festival, Mr. Percival was finally accepted for 07/08. In doing so, he generated enough buzz, excitement and pleasantry to firm himself as a festival favourite for whoever managed to fit into the packed tents housing his stage. He returns in 08/09 by popular demand and is sure to please yet again.

Sitting behind a loop pedal and a microphone, Mr. Percival is a one-man, instrument-free wizard, recording layered masterpieces live in front of the audience to phenomenal consequence. While he has songs that he plays regularly, a highlight of last year’s Woodford was his impromptu song for a dancing toddler at the front of the stage. You genuinely never know what to expect, and if somehow you do, expect to have those expectations exceeded.

Mr. Percival plays five times at Woodford, kicking off his first show at 3:45pm on the 27th at the Chai tent before playing the muse stage at 8pm on the 28th. He plays again at the bazaar at 2pm on the 31st before bringing in the New Year at Woodford’s famed natural amphitheatre. He then finishes off his time at the festival on the 1st with 3:30pm performance back at the bazaar. For the early risers and shower vocalists, Mr Percival is also running a workshop titled ‘Ensembleous Spontaneous Vocalous’ daily at 8:30 am in the workshop stage.

Note: times and dates of performances may change and should be used as a guide only. Please check with the Woodford Folk Festival website for the latest: http://www.woodfordfolkfestival.com/