We’ve been going to Purbeck Folk Festival for the past few years now and besides the line-up which feels like a live version of Folk Radio UK offering familiar names alongside new discoveries it’s also the perfect family festival. It’s one festival I’d really hate to miss out on, once you’ve been you’ll return year after year. We have two young kids and the layout and activities at Purbeck make it perfect for letting the kids have that bit more freedom. There’s plenty for them to do from a great treasure hunt, workshops, story-telling, puppet shows, theatre and lots more.
Now in its sixth year, Purbeck Folk Festival’s inclusive booking policy ensures an eclectic mix of outstanding original new folk, as well as established roots, traditional and world music in a fun, family-friendly environment. But there’s much more than music on offer with a host of additional entertainment that includes a film programme, art interventions and workshops, a fancy dress parade, bushcraft skills, pig roast, a poetry slam, kids’ activity pen and a beer festival with more than 70 local real ales and ciders.
Running over the Bank Holiday weekend, 21-24 August, on a 600-acre sheep farm in the heart of the beautiful Isle of Purbeck this year’s festival has an amazing line-up. Where do you start, that’s the question. Some of the names we’re looking forward to seeing include Gill Sandell, Emily Barker, Vena Porter, Eddi Reader, Idlewild, Phil King Band, Lloyd Cole, Chris Wood and The South. Returning from last year is the wonderful Martha Tilston & the Scientists who we recently interviewed about her new album (read it here) in which she said this about Purbeck Folk Festival:
“It just feels like a festival from another time, another era, another shire in another story…. – sitting on bales of hay with good cider in your hand and soul lifting music, its small friendly good for kids and grown up kids.”
Here’s what last year looked like:
Until August 20 weekend tickets (Fri-Sun) include free camping are on sale at just £100 (£50 12-17 years, £20 4-11 years, under 4s free). Day camping is available on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday at £10 a night on arrival.
Here’s a small musical taster of what’s on offer for 2014:
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This is what the full line-up looks like:
Friday
Eddi Reader, Nizlopi, Martha Tilston Band, Furrow Collective, ODi, Dan Whitehouse, Moscow Drug Club, Flats & Sharps, Macaferri Club, Winter Mountain, Murphy’s Lore, Drew Allen, Big Tent & the Gypsy Lantern, Kadia, Beth Johnstone, Tim Somerfield, East Creek Union, Djambo, The Jack Ratts, Threadbare Ravens, Tred, Aimee McKenzie
Saturday
The South, Idlewild Acoustic, Sally Barker, Sarah Savoy, Phil King Band, Gigspanner, Martha Tilston Band, Roving Crows, John Langan Band, Gren Bartley Band, 4Square, ODi, Lizzie Nunnery, Louise Jordan, Threepenny Bit, Sarah Savoy (workshop), Sound of the Sirens, Macaferri Club, Big Tent & the Gypsy Lantern, Kadia, Mother Ukers, Catherine Burke Band, Feral Beryl, Kaia Vieira, Aimee McKenzie
Sunday
Turin Brakes, Lloyd Cole, Blair Dunlop, Emily Barker & the Red Clay Halo, Caravan of Thieves, Coco & the Butterfields, Chris Wood, Amadou Diagne Band, Vena Portae, Gren Bartley Band, Alex Roberts, Tinderbox, Polly Paulusma, Fearne, Aimee MacKenzie, Ian Brown, Will McNicol, Flats & Sharps, Gill Sandell, Emily Barker (solo), Tori Read, Kate Lomas, The Jimmy Hillbillies, Ceilidh Band, Quinns Quinney, Krista Green, Inu
Come and join us, get your tickets: http://www.purbeckfolk.co.uk/
Photo Credit James Marshall