The Build Up to ValeFest 2017 is covered here at Burn FM Music as we bring you day by day previews of each stage throughout the week leading up to ValeFest 2017 on Saturday 3rd June. Here we preview the acts performing on the Acoustic Stage this year:
Philippa:Zawe
Kicking off this years acoustic line up is Philippa Zawe, a Birmingham based singer-songwriter performing at ValeFest f
or the first time. Philippa comes to ValeFest off the back of recent performances in Birmingham, most recently an acoustic session at Room Art Birmingham. Philippa is currently working on an upcoming EP, so expect fresh new music with her soulful, folk influenced acoustic sound. Check out her Soundcloud here
Laura Loh
Laura Loh is a UoB songsoc member who has featured on Burn FM before as part of our weekly Saturday Live Lounge show, and performed at the ValeFest Launch Party Pt2 at the Duck and Scholar earlier this April. A talented guitarist and piano player, Laura’s acoustic set is definitely one to get your ValeFest off to a flier.
Rainy Day Woman
Musical duo Rainy Day Woman bring their acoustic folk sound to the acoustic tent at ValeFest this year ahead of a number of summer gigs across their hometown of Exmouth, Bristol and London. Both Hannah and Gabriel will be looking forward to bringing a wide range of original folk songs and covers to the Acoustic Stage, which you can check out on their Soundcloud here
Acapella Soc and The Uptone Girls
UoB’s own Acapella Society take the stage at ValeFest again this year with a host of performances from the University’s range of Acapella groups. One such group returning to the bill is The Uptone Girls, who carry on a succession of performances at ValeFest since their formation in 2010. The group recently announced their feature in new BBC One show ‘Pitch Battle’ where they will be competing against Acapella groups across the country, so ValeFest provides opportunity to showcase this talent ahead of a big television performance. Look out for them on the Acoustic Stage line-up and of course best of luck for the competition from BurnFM!
Autumn Evans
Former UoB student Autumn Evans returns to ValeFest after performing last year, again returning for a set on the Acoustic Stage! BurnFM recently got chatting to Autumn about her recent music and ValeFest experiences, with the release of her debut ‘The Watercolour EP’ in January, a folk lyrically driven EP combining acoustic guitar and piano performing four original tracks. Speaking to Autumn about ValeFest; “Valefest is such a wonderful, happy, super summer festival so I jumped at the opportunity to play. I had the most wonderful day – has to be up there in my favourite ever gigs, so I’m overjoyed to be heading back again this year. I loved it when I was a student and the line up looks insane, and its always such a laugh. I think I’m particularly looking forward to the fabulous IORA headlining the acoustic stage, and to seeing the Uptone Girls as well, because I was a part of that acapella group last year and it’ll be so fun to watch them perform again this year.” Autumn is soon to be back in the studio producing new music so look out for her on the Acoustic Stage and listen to the Watercolour EP on all mainstream music channels and at her website here 
WeatherVanes
Acoustic Duo WeatherVanes play the Acoustic Stage this year following on from the release of their debut EP ‘Where I Don’t Exist’ last September. Available across all major music platforms, the EP combines five tracks for powerful vocal harmonies and acoustic rock for perfect chill vibes for the Acoustic Stage! Check out the EP and more of their music on Soundcloud here
IsaacO
Self-titled ‘Medical student in the day and Musician at night’ Isaac Osobukola is a prominent acoustic artist within the UoB, Birmingham and Bristol music scene, having played the ValeFest Launch Party Pt1 in April. His fusion of rock, soul and pop genres leading to multiple accolades for his deeply captivating sound, with features on BBC Radio and BBC Introducing platforms. With a recent April release of new track ‘I Guess I Couldn’t Save You’, IsaacO is one not to miss on the Acoustic Stage, so get yourself in the groove by listening to his music on Soundcloud here
Heather Coulton
Hailing from Preston and now based in Leeds, Heather Coulton draws her songwriting from her own personal experiences and upbringing. With a voice compared to Joni Mitchell and Carole King, Heather is backed by a musical cohort of friends in her backing band to provide ensemble to her acoustic tones, and follows multiple recent performances with a set on the Acoustic Stage at ValeFest. Check out more info about Heather and her music at her website here
IORA
Headlining the Acoustic Stage this year is IORA, who kicks off the countdown to her debut single release at ValeFest this year, as her debut drops after a string of live gigs on Friday 7th July when IORA plays 2000 trees Festival. Combining vocal and instrumental harmonies with electronic samples and sounds, IORA’s folky tones and fascinating melodies will captivate the crowd at the Acoustic Stage this year, and BurnFM got talking to IORA about her ValeFest experiences as a previous student at UoB; “When I was a student at the University of Birmingham I played as apart of the A’capella group -The Uptone Girls every year. I love Valefest! It was always a highlight of the summer term. I am so excited to be headlining the acoustic stage and to see all of the other artists. It will be nice to be back in brum, I think it will feel a little odd going on as a solo act this time but I can’t wait for it.” Further highlighting the charity work ValeFest does, “I’m really proud to be apart of the festival and supporting BasicNeeds and RSVP. Both of which are amazing charity and who carry out really important work both close to home and over seas.” Be sure to check out IORA headlining the Acoustic Stage this year and listen to her music on Soundcloud here
