Music with a message

2:00pm Tuesday 19th August 2008

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Last summer’s Live Earth concert was an unmitigated disaster with the sound of environmental band wagon jumping almost drowning out the music. The event was a damning example of how glib and embarrassing the melding of music and “big issues”, be they politics, charity or the environment, can be.

Bank Holiday Monday’s Carshalton Environmental Fair is aiming to succeed where Live Earth failed. Rather than concentrating on empty sloganeering, organisers EcoLocal are focusing on encouraging people to engage with environmental issues and an array of musical talent promises to make the bank holiday event go with a swing.

The Music Cafe, run by the ever-popular Sutton Acoustic Music Club, is one of three stages offering an eclectic mix of musicians and performers.

Balalaika bring their striking brand of Russian and Jewish folk music to the cafe and band member Justin Bateman, who plays the prima balalaika (the instrument after which the band was named), is looking forward to playing the fair for the fifth consecutive year.

“We believe in the environmental issues being raised and it is a rewarding thing for us to do,” he says.

“We play traditional Russian music and Klesma, a genre of Jewish music from eastern Europe. It got a bit lost after the Holocaust but thankfully it is enjoying something of a roots revival.”

What can newcomers to Russian/Jewish folk music expect to hear?

“The music is blisteringly fast and up beat and then can change to be slow and moody. It is a real eye opener for people and the crowd always react warmly,” he says.

Balalaika are joined on the cafe’s bill by Betty and the Acoustic Astronauts, who currently feature award winning Irish fiddle player Niamdh Gallagher. The Astronauts will play a set of Americana covers, by the likes of Alison Krauss, as well a number of their own compositions.

Highlights on the main stage include punky teenage upstarts 75 Stories and Surrey indie rockers Venkman will showcase material from their new EP which they have been honing at venues across London over the last year.

Headlining the stage will be Adam Donen and the Drought who are putting In a rare live appearance. The band, who have been compared to Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds and the Arcade Fire, will perform tracks from their soon-to-be-released mini-album As Our Parents Slowly Turn to Clay.

The trio of stages is completed by the Performing Arts Marquee. This stage will host a set of country tunes by The High Chaparrals, soulful Daniel Joe and singer-songwriter Michael Ray Jnr.

For a full line up visit ecolocal.org.uk. The fair takes place on Monday, August 25. Entrance is free for under-12s, £3 adults, £1 under-16s and concessions. Gates open at 10.30am and the event ends at 8pm.