The Fox Hat! are a high-energy 5/6 piece folk/rock band. Performing the length and breadth of the British Isles, they are much in demand for their infectious brand of Celtic music and songs. These are drawn from the vast library of Traditional and contemporary material and performed with a sense of fun and merriment. Many media appearances and demand for the band's CD's and DVD are testament to the popularity of The Fox Hat!. The Fox Hat! regularly play music for both English Barndances and Scottish & Irish Celtic Ceilidhs. The musical repertoire of the band is based mainly on Celtic dance tunes and music. This is complemented by classics from 1066 to 2007! The talented line-up of skilful multi-instrumentalists play in a wide range and variety of styles, drawing influences from traditional Celtic Roots and Folk Rock. The music is fresh and exciting, with no two tunes ever sounding the same. The Fox Hat! have played for Ceilidhs in Village Halls, Hotels and Marquees. Even a public outdoor Ceilidh in a City Centre!
The Fox Hat! was formed in 2001 by Geoff Newstead
Geoff set off on his musical career back in the 70's, gigging around the Midlands playing ragtime guitar on a much treasured Yamaha FG180. His first foray into Folk/Rock was with the ill-fated "No Tomatoes" (What's red and invisible?) and a couple of equally imaginatively named and spectacularly unsuccessful bands. Apart from a solo support slot with Fairport Convention, nothing seemed to happen. Several years later and a move back to his native Tyneside saw the formation of "Hoggshead" with fiddler Rachel McGrath (Now Rachel Parker of Coinneach). Hoggshead enjoyed great success during the late 80's and continued until Geoff's departure in 1990. Geoff moved back to the Midlands in 1991 and in '93 after scouring folk clubs and sessions he formed "The Craic" a five piece band playing almost exclusively Irish songs and tunes, mainly around Leicestershire. Geoff still plays with this energetic outfit. Geoff's love of Folk/Rock never left him and in 2001 he decided it was time for another musical venture in the form of the current band. He is still an avid admirer of Fairports as can be heard in his arrangements of traditional tunes for "The Fox Hat"
Yes, we always play live and wouldn't have it any other way. We play at weddings, ceilidhs, pubs, clubs and festivals and love everything and place we play. One special moment comes to mind when we were asked by Sean Cannon from The Dubliners to join him on stage at The Boggery in Birmingham.
Fairport Convention, Richard Thompson, Sandy Denny, Van Morrison, Levellers, Waterboys, Wolfstone, Pogues, Dubliners, Michael Chapman, Oysterband, Runrig, Jethro Tull, Christy Moore, Kate Rusby, Rick Sanders, Dave Swarbrick, Guinness, Carling, Bombay Sapphire, Famous Grouse
Equipment
The band normally carry their own comprehensive 3K PA rig and lighting equipment.
For the techies amongst you, this is what we use:
Main Mixing Console
Yamaha Promix 01 16ch fully automated digital desk
Drum submix Console
Behringer UB2222FX 16ch desk.
Outboard
Processors and FX by Lexicon, Digitech, Behringer, Yamaha, SPL, Rolls & Alesis.
Recording
Alesis HD24 Digital 24 track.
F.O.H. Amplifiers
Mackie 2600W
Foldback Amplifiers
4 x 150W.
F.O.H. Loudspeakers
2 x 15" Carlsbro Bass Bins. 4 x Carlsboro Gamma Mid/top cabinets.
Foldback Wedges
4 x Custom built 1x12" (Scorpion) & 1" compression horn wedges. 1 x 15" + 12" + Horn.
Microphones
All wired vocal mics are AKG C900 condensers. Drum mics by Red5 Audio. Guitar radio systems are Samson Airline One. Radio microphones are dB Technologies PL320 dual diversity multichannel systems with Beyer TGX58 Capsules. Tom's Electric Fiddle uses a VHF radio system.
Although The Fox Hat! are mainly a 5 piece band they regularly have guests join them onstage. Quite often they will have an extra fiddler or guitarist which just adds to an already great performance.