Thursday 1st October
Vikki Clayton
★★★★ – Q Magazine
“Vikki is one of this country’s finest interpreters of Traditional and Contemporary song, having a very pure voice and formidable guitar technique.” – Gordon Giltrap
“No mean songwriter” – Rock ’n’ Reel
A Londoner by birth Vikki got caught up in music by the age of four. Astounding her business-background family and encouraged and mentored by her dotty school teacher. Her musical ability was fostered at the Trinity College of Music, and later on she achieved an honours degree in the Performing Arts.
She drifted into folk clubs and by the age of 13 was asking for a guitar. She began to sing English folk song, though still listening to rock and prog rock …
Eventually she joined the cult folk rockers Ragged Heroes and it wasnt long before word got round about the similarities (unintentional) about the likeness to Sandy Denny. Thats when the calls came from Fotheringhay and Fairport Convention. But as well as these exciting projects Vikki has recorded eight solo albums and is featured on many other recordings. Guests on her albums include John Giblin (Simple Minds) Martin Barre (Jethro Tull) Liam Genochy (Steeleye Span) She has sung with all the folk luminaries, including Richard Thompson, Ralph McTell, John Martyn. She formed her own band with Clive Bunker (JethroTull), Fred T Baker (Hatfield and the North) Chris Conway (Singer, songwriter, multi instrumentalist). She began writing songs, studied the folk song collection of Percy Grainger and set a series of John Clare poems to music. Her latest album “Messenger” is hailed as her best so far. She is a guest lecturer for several Performing Arts Courses and just keeps going from strength to strength.
Vikki is somewhat of a global citizen these days, living in New Zealand, Cyprus and the UK.
Her voice is described as sweet and clear. Very english sounding. Her guitar playing is amazing and distinctive. She can make you laugh, cry, rejoice and celebrate within the first set.