Folk on the Quay is a free folk music festival worth checking out. It takes place in picturesque Poole, Dorset on 28 and 29 June 2014 featuring four outdoor music stages, two ceilidh dances and over twenty teams of morris dancers in the streets overlooking Poole’s lovely Harbour.
They have a fantastic line-up with headliners including songwriting troubadour Rory McLeod and his Familiar Strangers, if any band can beckon the sun out from the clouds then these guys can.
Joining them are Sheelanagig with their very own personal blend of folk, Jazz, Balkan fusion with a clear incitement to dance, The Churchfitters, a popular Anglo-Irish outfit who play a diverse range of folk and roots with powerhouse tracks to liven up any festival. Also playing are the fabulous Urban Folk Quartet whose latest ‘UFQ Live II‘ album was one of our Albums of the month. Joining them this year is Dan Walsh, a new permanent member of UFQ and the wonderful Charlie Heys is filling in for Paloma who’s on maternity leave. This is one you don’t want to miss!
New for 2014 is a fringe venue, the beautiful old Skinner Street Church, hosts concerts by top artists Miranda Sykes & Rex Preston as well as Folk Radio UK favourites Josienne Clarke & Ben Walker with support sets from local songwriting duos Ninebarrow and Tinderbox.
We recently reviewed Ninebarrow’s album While the Blackthorn Burns and featured their track ‘The Sea‘ on the Folk Radio UK soundcloud page which has clocked up 14.8k plays in just eight days…one to watch for!
With a record turn-out last year you can expect a fantastic experience soaking up some of the best of young British folk music and festive colours of morris dancers from all parts of England. And bring your instruments for the pub sessions which will be in full flow.
You can find out more about the festival here: www.folkonthequay.co.uk