COLLABORATORS

Kevin Armstrong

Kevin Armstrong has played guitar for some of the biggest names in music from the mid 1980s to the present day. From David Bowie to Morrissey,Thomas Dolby to Prefab Sprout, from Sinead O'Connor to Iggy Pop, his range of experience as a musician has brought him into contact with some of the most interesting and diverse talents on the planet. His fifty-year career as a music producer and guitar player to the stars shows no sign of slowing down.

Kevin played for David Bowie at Live Aid in 1985. As well as albums and tours with Iggy Pop and the soundtrack for Absolute Beginners and Labyrinth, He was a ‘fifth member’ of Tin Machine and collaborated with David on the Outside album. He co-wrote songs with Morrissey in the early post-Smiths phase. Kevin has continued to tour and record with a huge variety of famous, as well as up-and-coming artists and produces critically acclaimed solo work. His book and highly entertaining one man show Absolute Beginner, give an insight into how to survive in the fickle music world, and tell stories from half a century as a professional musician, writer, producer and bandleader. He continues to tour and collaborate with a wide range of world-renowned musicians.

Clare Hirst

Clare Hirst has played the saxophone with many well known pop bands including David Bowie (Liveaid), The Communards, The Bellestars, Maxi Priest and Hazel O’ Connor . She also has her own band with trumpeter Claude Deppa playing mostly original compositions. Their latest album ‘Beyond Bahula’ is available on bandcamp now.

Stephen Street

Stephen Street was born in London in 1960. He started his musical career in the late seventies playing in various bands around London, culminating with playing bass in ska/pop group BIM, (a group also featuring Cameron McVey who went on to produce Neneh Cherry and Massive Attack). BIM self-imploded and, frustrated with his progression as a musician in a band, Stephen decided to turn his hand to record engineering and production. Encouraged by the careers of engineer/producer types like Steve Lillywhite, Martin Hannett and Martin Rushent, he attempted to follow suit. Hearing of a job at Island Records Fallout Shelter Studio in Hammersmith, he went along for an interview and 24 hours later landed the job of assistant engineer. Working in the wonderfully invigorating and inspiring atmosphere at Island, Stephen worked his way up to house engineer - it was at Island that Stephen first met The Smiths.

In 1984 Stephen began work on the first of his three albums for The Smiths and continued to work with The Smiths until they split in 1987. Subsequently, he worked as a co-writer and Producer of Morrissey’s debut solo album ‘Viva Hate’, which entered the UK charts at No. 1. Stephen continued to co-write and produce with Morrissey over the next 18 months together with producing albums/tracks for a variety of artists including Durutti Column, The Psychedelic Furs, and The Triffids. He also started a new record label with journalist Jerry Smith, The Foundation Label, which released records by Bradford, The Caretaker Race and Spin (who later evolved into Gene).

In early 1991 Stephen met and worked with Blur for the first time and recorded ‘There’s No Other Way’, Blur’s first top ten hit. This was the start of a long working relationship with Blur spanning 5 albums including the multi-platinum selling ‘Parklife’ which won the 1994 Q Award for Best Album. In June 1994 Stephen started another successful working relationship, producing the debut album by The Cranberries, ‘Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can’t We’. The album went to No. 1 in the U.K charts as well as achieving massive success in the U.S and worldwide charts. He then went on to produce their multi-million seller follow-up album, ‘No Need To Argue’ and, in 2018 helped the band complete their Grammy nominated album 'In the End' after the sad passing of Dolores O'Riordan.

In 2020 Stephen received the prestigious ‘Outstanding Contribution to UK Music’ award from the Music Producers Guild.

During his prestigious career Stephen has continued to work successfully with many exciting acts from the ‘UK’s Alternative’ music scene including Babyshambles, Sleeper, The Ordinary Boys, New Order, The Maccabees, The Mystery Jets, The Zutons, Graham Coxon, The Courteeners, Steve Mason, The Rails and Kaiser Chiefs

CHRIS SULLIVAN

Author, artist, DJ and founder of the legendary WAG Club, Chris has been at the heart of London’s music and nightlife scene for decades. At Ziggyfest he brings his unmatched knowledge and love of Bowie to the decks. 

CHRIS DUFFY

Photographer and son of the late Brian Duffy, who captured some of Bowie’s most iconic images including Aladdin Sane and Scary Monsters. Chris continues to curate his father’s archive and share the stories behind these unforgettable shots. 

WOODY WOODMANSEY

Drummer for David Bowie and the Spiders from Mars, Woody played on some of bowies most defining albums including The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust. His powerful playing helped shape the sound of an era and he continues to share those stories with fans around the world. 

SUZI RONSON

Stylist, writer and the woman behind Bowie’s famous Ziggy haircut, Suzi was also the wife of guitarist Mick Ronson and part of the Spiders from Mars touring family. She remains a treasured voice in Bowie’s history and continues to share her first-hand memories of those years. 

MAT HECTOR

Mat Hector is a powerhouse drummer best known for touring with Iggy Pop and performing with the global project Celebrating David Bowie. He has also collaborated with Bowie’s guitarist Kevin Armstrong and continues to bring Bowie’s music to life on stages around the world.

KATIE PUCKRIK

Katie Puckrik is a broadcaster, writer and performer with a long career in TV and radio on both sides of the Atlantic. A lifelong Bowie fan, she earned rave reviews fronting the Lust for Life supergroup, and now brings her energy and insight as host of Ziggyfest.

GEOFF MARSH & VICKY BROACKES

Former V&A curators of ‘David Bowie Is’, one of the most successful music exhibitions of all time. Geoff and Vicky lead the Bowie walking tour of Soho, taking fans through the streets that shaped Bowie’s early years.

DAVE CAITLIN-BIRCH

David Catlin-Birch is a multi-instrumentalist and singer best known as a founding member of The Bootleg Beatles, the world’s leading Beatles tribute band. He was a member of World Party with Karl Wallinger. Dave has also toured and recorded with artists including Eurythmics, Robbie Williams, and joins Ziggyfest to perform Bowie classics alongside an all-star band.

MONICA FRANK

Monica Frank is a London-based classical pianist, mentored by Bowie’s longtime pianist Mike Garson. She has created acclaimed solo piano arrangements of Bowie’s music, released her tribute album The Stargazer Collection in 2021, and performed at the Dublin Bowie Festival and on Garson’s European tribute tour.

CARA BRUNS

Cara has toured across the UK, Europe and the US for over 15 years, performing with acts including The Answer, Diva Purple, Surfquake, Martin Newell, and The Prettiest Starman, an acoustic celebration of David Bowie. She is also a composer, with soundtrack collaborations alongside poet Blake Morrison and album releases with award-winning sync company Out/Standard Music.

HENRY '“KING THUMB” THOMAS

Henry has played for endless International Artists, gigged and recorded on countless hit records, tv and film soundtracks. He is also famous for his role as a Co-founder of the BBC TV Series ROCKSCHOOL.

SUNTA TEMPLETON

Radio X DJ and broadcaster, Sunta is known for bringing energy, insight and love of great music to the airwaves. She’ll be joining Ziggyfest to guide audiences through the day’s stories and sounds.