Anyone attending this year’s Sidmouth FolkWeek (2nd – 9th August) is going to be thoroughly spoilt for choice with the line-up which stretches from the folk giants such as Lau:
along with the iconic Nic Jones Trio, raw Celtic power from Capercaillie, party favourites Peatbog Faeries, Devon’s creamiest Show of Hands with Miranda Sykes, fiddle/singing supergroup Carthy, Hardy, Farrell and Young, mighty Lau, breathtaking Flook, bold, black and bilious Spooky Men’s Chorale, joyful Jaipur Kawa Brass Band with their vibrant celebratory sounds from Rajasthan and, music from the Atlantic fringe, with The Unwanted.
Then there is a lovely left-field line-up curated by media sponsors fRoots at Kennaway House for this year’s FolkWeek which includes Shelagh McDonald who was a big name on the 70’s folk rock before disappearing. On 16th January 2013, Shelagh made her first official public appearance after more than 40 years away, as a guest of The False Beards at the Green Note, Camden, London.
Also on the bill for this year’s Cellar Full Of Folkadelia are Bristolian minimalists Three Cane Whale with exciting new interpreters of the tradition, Stephanie Hladowksi & C Joynes, darkly-crafted original songs from the award-winning Emily Portman Trio plus fine kora-toting songwriter Will Newsome, plus the beautiful singing of Sarah McQuaid, the legendary Wizz Jones with prodigious picker Jason Steel and the Appalachian hardcore of Tim Eriksen alongside the siren-songstress Olivia Chaney.
There are also many Folk Radio UK favourites including Blowzabella, Jim Causley with Julie Murphy & Ceri Owen Jones, Carthy, Hardy, Farrell, Young and many more.
Carthy, Hardy, Farrell, Young:
As well as these bill-topping favourites, Sidmouth FolkWeek offers a unique spread of events throughout the week with global appeal: intimate concerts, dances, ceilidhs, displays, morris dancing, workshops, an ALL NEW family festival, Shooting Roots youth programme, sessions and the famous torchlight procession…in a diverse and entertaining programme fizzing with festive atmosphere.
Not forgetting…’Hothouse’ Halsway Manor’s performance and touring project for talented young artists – integrating folk traditions with contemporary, rock and hip hop stylings. 23 young dancers and musicians came together in the Spring to work with leading musicians Will Lang and Niopha Keegan and dance artists Jo Bowis and Natasha Khamjani to create an exciting original fusion of music and dance taking inspiration from the turning of the year, and its associated songs and rituals.
FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS
Pre-Festival Special
Thursday 1st
Barry Cryer’s Twitter Titters with Colin Sell
Friday 2nd
Pre-Festival Special
Private Peaceful ~ The Concert with Michael Morpurgo and Coope, Boyes & Simpson ~ Le Vent du Nord ~ The Albion Band ~ Alasdair Fraser & Natalie Haas
Saturday 3rd
Nic Jones Trio ~ Blowzabella ~ Maddy Prior with Hannah James and Giles Lewin
Sunday 4th
Show of Hands with Miranda Sykes ~ Lau ~ Blowzabella
Monday 5th
Flook ~ Peatbog Faeries ~ The Unwanted
Tuesday 6th
Carthy, Hardy, Farrell, Young ~ Melrose Quartet ~ Martin Carthy and Peter Robinson ~ Roy Bailey ~ Mairearad Green and Anna Massie ~ Dave Burland
Wednesday 7th
The Spooky Men’s Chorale ~ Eliza Carthy & Tim Eriksen ~ Bella Hardy & The Midnight Watch ~ Wizz Jones ~ Martin Carthy ~ Morris Offspring with Faustus ~ Short Sharp Shanties
Thursday 8th
Capercaillie ~ Jaipur Kawa Brass Band ~ Faustus ~ Tim Eriksen ~ Colum Sands ~ Gadarene
Friday 9th
Tim Edey and Brendan Power ~ Sciorr:Staged ~ Jim Causley with Julie Murphy & Ceri Owen Jones
For full details of the line-up and the range of events on offer, visit www.sidmouthfolkweek.co.uk
Sidmouth Tourist Information Centre: 01395 577952
Photo Credit: David Angel