GU4 (Guffaw)

Unaccompanied english traditional song from Pete Burnham, Miggy Campbell, Karen Harris and Bill Wilkes (from left to right in the picture).

GU4 are a four part acappella harmony group based in Leicestershire. Their rich sound has won many fans and is now taking them to clubs and festivals throughout England. Armed only with a set of pitch pipes, they perform a wide variety of material ranging from gentle and sensitive love songs that can hold an audience rapt in silence, to raucous chorus numbers delivered with such verve that even the most reticent are encouraged to join in.

Their repertoire comes straight from the English tradition or from contemporary writers such as Peter Bellamy, Graeme Miles, Benny Graham, George Thomas and their own Miggy Campbell. Depth is added to GU4’s performances through an open approach to each song when deciding who should take the tune, who should take which harmony and how many voices are appropriate. Their renditions are carefully considered and well-crafted, but carry a spark of spontaneity and are delivered with enthusiasm and a healthy slice of good humour.

Pete, Miggy, Karen and Bill have all been immersed in English folk music for most of their lives and bring together backgrounds from the North East, Sussex, Leicester and Birmingham. Not surprisingly their disparate roots have led to a wide range of influences but they share a love of The Watersons, The Copper Family, The Young Tradition, Peter Bellamy, Swan Arcade, The Wilsons, Johnny Collins, Beggars Velvet and the acappella harmonies associated with the early years of Steeleye Span.

Well established in the Midlands, club bookings are now taking GU4 the length of the country from Chichester to South Shields. Festival bookings include Alcester, Banbury, Belvoir Castle, Bedworth, Bideford, Ryedale, Saddleworth and Warwick.

... Gorgeous harmony singing and plenty of opportunity for you to join in with them. Their infectious love of singing shines through like a beacon. - Paul Ryan, Black Diamond Folk Club
... stunning performance .... . Thoroughly recommended if you're looking for a guest act - Dave Morton, Pack Horse Folk Club
... lovely Harmonies - Niamh Parsons
... Very strong harmonies - Ray Padgett
... Hardly a note untouched - Roger Bryant
... GU4 singaround was superb - Hazel Richings, Warwick Folk Festival
... You lot are great - Nicola, aged 8, Warwick Folk Festival
... Squint and they look like Abba - Mike Wilkinson, Dolphin Morris

Bookings, Photos, Posters and CDs

For past and future bookings see their Bookings Calendar and to book GU4 Contact Peter Burnham or phone 0116 2915720.

Follow this link for a selection of Photos. GU4 poster available as pdf poster or as word poster.

GU4’s first CD "Lean on One Another" was released in April 2009 to critical acclaim. It is available on mail order - see details and full reviews or have a listen to some tracks on MySpace.

... the overall sound is perfect for a session of traditional singing - Nottingham Evening Post;
... folk song in harmony with precision and enthusiasm - Graham Oldham, Shreds and Patches;
... Superb - David Kidman, NetRythems

The "Sunday name" for the group is "The Grand Union 4", named after the singers club set up by Bill - See Grand Union Folk Club.
Pete and Bill together run some very successful concerts in Leicester, under the banner Wilbur Promotions - See wilbur.org.uk.
Pete also sings with Sheila Mosley (sp.lfd.org.uk), produces the Leicester Folk Diary and maintains an associated web site at lfd.org.uk.

"All singing in my heart, all praying in my brain 'It comes of heat and beer!' - hark how he guffaws plain!" Ned Bratts (Robert Browning, 1879)

Last Updated 6th April, 2010. Peter Burnham