Jack Bessant & Betsy Beard, Saturday 24 May, 7.30pm

Above: Betsy Beard’s musical partnership with Jack Bessant began when she sang backing vocals for him during a studio session. The duo’s current set list features a blend of collaborations and solo pieces. 

Local musician Betsy Beard first took up the guitar during lockdown and quickly progressed to writing her own material, drawing on influences such as US alt-rock outfit Mazzy Star and English singer-songwriter Nick Drake. Performance has always played a key part in her life, but for the last four years creating original music has taken centre stage. Travel also inspires Betsy and she is looking forward to creating new material when she visits South America later this year.

A founding member of legendary 90’s alternative rock band Reef, Jack Bessant‘s career has reached the highest altitudes, from stadium tours to industry awards and platinum-selling albums. In 2015, Jack launched his solo career with a vision to nourish his soul and others around him, sharing his passion for the natural environment and his rooted connection to the West Country. Fusing Americana, folk and blues with heavy rock and trip-hop, Jack has performed at a wide array of UK festivals, from Glastonbury, Isle of Wight and Reading to Elements and Bear Grylls’ Gone Wild Festival. Global festivals have included Fuji Rock (Japan), Rock AM Ring (Germany) and the Big Day Out (Australia). He has also collaborated with creative brands including YMC, Story MFG, SlackJaw, Shona Heath, The Wave and KUDVHA.