Bob Dylan’s 75th birthday yesterday (May 24th) and, fashionably late, there’ll be a special tribute concert at next month’s 10th Gate To Southwell Festival on Saturday June 11th.
Backed by a fantastic festival band, led by Jim Moray of False Lights, there’ll be special guest performances of Dylan classics by Steve Knightley, Jackie Oates, The Henry Girls, Canada’s Meaghan Blanchard, California’s Ooks Of Hazzard plus Mick Ryan & Paul Downes and Pete Morton.
The festival, at Southwell racecourse in Nottinghamshire, kicks off on Thursday June 9thwith a special firework party, Irish folk headliners Kila and False Lights on the main stage, plus the launch of the Arts Council-backed alternative stage featuring Glasgow’s James Edwyn & The Borrowed Band, Nottingham’s Same Streets and Latin stars Alejandro Toledo’s Full Attack Band.
On Friday night (10th) Appalachian hillbilly rockers Hayseed Dixie headline a great evening of international music. As well as the Dylan Tribute, Saturday 11th also sees the return of festival favourites Show Of Hands plus diverse acclaimed, award-winning acts such as Vishten from Canada, Mawkin, The Teacups, rising Cornish stars Flats & Sharps and the Jackie Oates Trio. Sunday (12th) will be headlined by the wonderfulEddi Reader with support from the Conservatoire Folk Ensemble, Moulettes, The Jeremiahs, BBC Folk award winners Sam Kelly & The Lost Boys and much more.
There’s also a Southwell Slam poetry competition on the Sunday afternoon to find the Festival Bard for 2016. Budding writers, poets and performers should email Southwellslam@gmail.com to enter.
With five different music stages, great family entertainment, a fine mix of food and drink tents, a craft fair, a beer and cider festival plus pub sessions in town, the 10th Gate To Southwell is guaranteed to be an un-missable long Midlands weekend.
Visit the Gate To Southwell website for more details on festival events – www.gtsf.uk. Or book tickets via www.seetickets.com/event/gate-to-southwell-festival/southwell/899799