Selecting your festival favourites from the huge Sidmouth Folk Festival programme is no easy task but starting with some of the big names it’s inevitable that the Richard Thompson concert ahead of his big 70th Birthday bash at the Royal Albert Hall will be high up on the list of many of those attending. As no doubt will English/Irish band Flook who returned with their new album Ancora earlier this year following a five-year break. And who can possibly resist the dulcet tones of Julie Fowlis let alone a chance to see Lisa O’Neill following the great waves created by her latest album?
For a PDF version of the full Sidmouth Folk Festival programme, please click here.
As always, there are a number of special unique events taking place and top of my list is The Road to Peterloo, Hey In The Hay as well as The Young’uns The Ballad of Johnny Longstaff and not forgetting 50 Shades of Sidmouth with Steve Knightley and Friends.
For those who are looking to burn off some energy (I’m happy to just stand and watch in this heat) the Bulverton will be the party zone with the likes of Seth Lakeman, Topette!!, Peatbog Faeries, Merry Hell, Blackbeard’s Tea Party and lots more
Below are some of my recommendations. I’ve not gone into workshops, storytelling and ceilidhs as there are just too many to cover but do check them out – there are a lot.
Friday 2nd August
You couldn’t get off to a better start than the Pre-Festival special at The Ham with Ralph McTell and Folk Radio UK favourite Kitty MacFarlane whose 2018 album debut Namer Of Clouds set her apart as a singular songwriting talent. Whilst the album was one to savour, full of old wisdom and bubbling over with new ideas I can guarantee you won’t be disappointed as she’s totally enchanting live.
The Ham will later play host to another double offering of the highest calibre in the form of Lady Maisery. As Thomas Blake said in his review of Cycle “it is no exaggeration to say that the trio – Rowan Rheingans, Hazel Askew and Hannah James – have not only rescued tune-singing from the brink of extinction but given it a new lease of life”, concluding that the trio were “worthy custodians and spirited agitators” which is just what we need in this world right now so don’t miss them.
But it doesn’t end there, as billing alongside them are and The Askew Sisters (Hazel Askew will be kept busy). They were our Artists of the Month back in May when they released their latest album Enclosure on which Thomas concluded “Enclosure is an album that very few other musicians could have made, partly because it transcends considerations like ‘traditional’ and ‘contemporary’ without losing sight of the important issues it highlights. It is full of apparent contradictions that resolve into fully realised ideas: it always feels intimate and yet its themes are universal, it is steeped in the history of place and society and yet it constantly looks to the future, and it is an album about captivity that revels in its own musical freedom.” What an evening this will be.
Saturday 3rd August
For those who might miss it, The Askew Sisters are also playing Kennaway House late Saturday morning.
One venue I get drawn back to time and again at Sidmouth is the Cellar Bar at Kennaway House which will host the brilliant fRoots Presents A Cellar Full of Folkadelia. Kicking things off on Saturday is Kitty MacFarlane, and Jon Wilks whose new digital EP ‘The Trial of Bill Burn Under Martin’s Act’ (which he’s has just written a guest post for here) will have been released by this point featuring songs from his native Birmingham and the surrounding Midlands – it’s a real treat. In the evening the venue also plays host to OBT (Oakes, Thorpe, Bews), Hannah James & Toby Kuhn and The Brothers Gillespie. I’m very keen to see The Brothers Gillespie in particular whose last two albums we have reviewed and they deserve a much wider audience. “…where Dylan sought to bring various strands of musical heritage into one (gloriously modernist) package, the Brothers Gillespie (James and Sam) have stumbled across a very different kind of ‘wild mercury’, one that draws on the varied and rich traditions of the British Isles.”
The Brothers Gillespie are performing again on Sunday morning along with Alice Jones at the Bedford Hotel.
On the same day is surely one of the festival highlights: Dispatches On The Red Dress, an ambitious and deeply personal one-woman from Rowan Rheingans – an intimate and adventurous exploration of memory, identity, joy, sorrow, trauma-recovery, war and waltzes. Read more about it here.
Last year I caught a traditional song evening at Woodlands Hotel which was great fun. Saturday evening will find your hosts John Howson and Dan Quinn with Sheena Wellington, in the company of Eileen O’Brien & Conor Keane, Harbour Lights Trio, Bill Murray, Damien Barber, Tony Hall, Ragged Trousers. There are plenty of similar events on so make sure to check the programme.
Sunday 4th August
My highlights for the Sunday include Hannah Rarity (Cellar Bar at Kennaway House) who we interviewed earlier this year following the release of her beautiful debut album ‘Neath the Gloaming Star’:
“With Hannah’s crystal clear voice, sparkling production and thoroughly engaging arrangements, Neath the Gloaming Star is a must-have album for anyone with a love for Scots traditional and contemporary song.”
Another name that’s high on my list is Gwenifer Raymond whose debut album “You Never Were Much of a Dancer” made quite a splash in 2018. She’s an incredibly talented guitarist as certainly a name to watch for. For those who have a lot of energy to burn in the afternoon, Merry Hell will be providing the means at The Ham.
Heading into the evening we are really spoilt for choice with some decisions to be made on which to go for – Pete Coe, Laura Smyth, Brian Peters present The Road To Peterloo at the Manor Pavillion. A moving and passionate concert performance to mark the 200th anniversary of Manchester’s notorious Peterloo Massacre, telling the story through street ballads and folk songs of the time.
Hannah Rarity, Ragged Trousers and Nick Hart are in concert at the Bedford Hotel and the big event of the day 50 Shades of Sidmouth with Steve Knightley and Friends gets underway at The Ham. Steve first came to Sidmouth Folk week in 1969. In this show, he will look back over the last 50 years with songs and guests that reflect his own musical journey from beachside busker to Festival patron. With Phillip Henry and Hannah Martin, Evie Knightley, Barry Lister, Chris Hoban, Paul Downes, Mike Selley, The Sidmouth Town Band. Opening set by Mike O’Connor & Barbara Griggs.
It doesn’t stop there as over at the Cellar Bar we have Tim Eriksen, Jo Freya & Kathryn Locke and Ian A. Anderson in concert! Talk about spoilt for choice, maybe I’ll bring my bike to race between them.
Monday 5th August
Nick Hart recently released his follow-up album Sings Nine English Folk Songs – a must-see. “…his effortless phrasing, the clarity and simplicity of the song, the voice, the guitar, entrap the listener and pull us into the timeless – then and now – world of the folk song. Excellent again.”
Last year Robb Johnson released ‘Ordinary Giants’. In his review of the three-CD work, Richard Hollingham declared it a monumental album. Robb will perform a solo version of a song suite about the life & times of his father, a family history of the 1930s, World War Two & the Welfare State at the Manor Pavillion.
The Ham will play host to another concert which is sure to be in very high-demand – The Unfinished Violin with Sam Sweeney plus Emily Portman & Rob Harbron. Need I say anymore? If you haven’t read our review of The Unfinished Violin then you should.
You can catch Emily and Rob again in the evening at the Bedford Hotel along with Brian Peters and Feis Rois Ceilidh Trail.
Julie Fowlis will be lighting up The Ham stage that evening while down at the Woodlands Hotel will be a Traditional Night Out hosted by John Howson with Eileen O’Brien & Conor Keane, Jeff Warner, Sheena Wellington, Martin Carthy, Ragged Trousers, Sandra Kerr, Bryony Griffith, Keith Kendrick & Sylvia Needham.
Tuesday 6th August
My ideal Tuesday would start with Sounds Of Modern Scotland at Woodlands Hotel with Kim Carnie, BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year 2017 finalist.
In the afternoon at the same venue will see the album launch of one of our most prized English concertina players – Rob Harbron’s debut album ‘Meanders’, one of our Featured Albums of the Month. “Made in the simplest way, Meanders is exactly what you would wish for, which is beautiful pieces of music performed with the utmost skill by a master of his instrument.” This will be a real treat.
At the Manor Pavillion will be a tribute concert that is sure to be full – What You Do With What You’ve Got. A Tribute to Roy Bailey. Hosted by Martin Simpson with John Kirkpatrick, Martin Carthy, Sandra Kerr, Robb Johnson and Nancy Kerr & James Fagan.
Also performing the same time are The Young’uns with “The Ballad of Johnny Longstaff” – The story of one man’s adventure from begging on the streets in the north of England to the Spanish Civil War. A timely, touching and often hilarious musical adventure following the footsteps of one working-class hero. “It’s true that this is a thoroughly modern album in many ways – the interactive website is a treat, and the whole package is beautifully presented – but in the final notes sung by Longstaff there is a weight of history and a longing for a better world that makes any thought of modernity, of current musical or technological trends, pale into insignificance. The Ballad Of Johnny Longstaff contains the past and it contains the future. It is a special achievement by an extremely talented group.”
The evening concert at The Ham is another sure to be hot demand as Lisa O’Neill and Flook perform. Lisa was an Artist of the Month following the release of ‘Heard a Long Gone Song’ last year. ‘…easily one of the greatest surprises I’ve enjoyed for some time; an exceptional album that will make the trad music scene stand up and take notice.” Earlier this year Flook returned with Ancora – which “picks up where Flook left off with Haven 14 years ago, delighting us, again, with their unique, exciting sound and their ever-inventive arrangements. Expectations more than fully met – simply a brilliant album.”
Or, if you prefer a more intimate venue then how about heading to the Cellar Bar for Nancy Kerr & James Fagan, Robb Johnson, Feis Rois Ceilidh Trail. If you enjoyed Nancy and James’ latest live album then you’ll know what’s in store with this duo – “one of folk music’s most enduring and talented acts in their natural habitat and at the top of their game.”
For a high-powered end to the evening head to the Bulverton for Sam Kelly & The Lost Boys (9.10pm) plus Broom Bezzums.
Wednesday 7th August
My day would begin with Granny’s Attic at the Bedford Hotel. They are about to release their third album ‘Wheels of the World’ in September as this extraordinary trio of Cohen Braithwaite Kilcoyne (Anglo Concertina/Melodeon/Vocals), George Sansome (Guitar/Vocals) and Lewis Wood (Violin/Vocals) launch themselves into a new phase of their joint musical career.
For a lunchtime knees-up then head to The Ham for Sam Kelly & The Lost Boys and Alice Jones followed by a trip down to the Woodlands Hotel for Tales From The Bawdy Bardess – A consummate teller of tales, Debs Newbold knows the
meaning of the word ‘bawdy’. In this masterful piece of ribald ‘stand-up storytelling’, you can hear three of her most frolicksome medieval tales (suitable for audiences 17+).
In the afternoon it’s then over to The Ham for another exciting highlight concert with Martin Simpson and Rachael McShane & The Cartographers. As many of you will by now know, Martin has a new album on the way from which we’ve already been treated to two singles, I dare say we’ll be treated to a few more at this concert. Rachel and her band ‘The Cartographers’ are another Folk Radio favourite. They released “When All Is Still” last year which “may be an album with its roots in tradition, but it has a freshness that makes these old songs seem wonderfully new. It is one of the best collections of traditional songs you’ll hear…”
For the evening I’d recommend An Hour Or So with Burd Ellen (at Kingswood & Devoran Hotel). Burd Ellen is the solo project of Debbie Armour. Join her for a specially curated, unamplified set of material from ‘Silver Came’ and some of her favourite ballads.
For another couple of Folk Radio favourites head to The Ham which plays host to a concert of extraordinary variety with Le Vent du Nord -not only the leading exponents of traditional Québecois music but also one of the world’s foremost purveyors of folk music. Their latest album “Territoires” is an outstanding release, confirming their status as a pre-eminent force in their field. Also on the bill are Canadian folk duo Mama’s Broke – if they are a new name to you then be sure to catch them perform, we recently reviewed their debut with ‘Count the Wicked’ – a journey through rural early 20th century Americana that’s fizzing with melodic ideas and tales to tell. “Debut albums as strong as this should not be ignored”.
Thursday 8th August
Again, my start of the day would be with the Sounds Of Modern Scotland series (Cellar Bar, Kennaway House), this time with Iona Fyfe – Winner of Scots Singer of the Year at the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards 2018. Neil McFadyen reviewed her last album “Dark Turn of Mind” – “This release will delight existing fans, and bring her music to an even wider audience. If you thought you’d heard the best of Iona Fyfe, think again; there’s every indication that Dark Turn of Mind begins a new, captivating chapter.” He wasn’t wrong!
Running alongside this is an EFDSS showcase of EFDSS Bursary recipients which includes Ben Walker & Rob Harbron, Thom Ashworth and Grace Smith. I’ve already mentioned Rob’s CD launch earlier and fortunately, there are other opportunities to catch Ben and Thom who are on my highly recommended list.
Among the special events sees the return of Living By The Sea which debuted at Sidmouth last year. Taking place at The Ham, this feast of words and music reunites storyteller Matthew Crampton and musical director Paul Sartin with the band Faustus and a choir of festival-goers and townsfolk.
In the afternoon, head to The Cellar Bar again for Harbottle & Jonas (recently interviewed here) and Kirsty Merryn. Earlier this year husband and wife Devon duo Harbottle and Jonas released their maritime-themed fourth album “The Sea is my Brother” which is “awash with strong songs and excellent musicianship and fully deserves to carry the duo aloft on a wave of acclaim and success.” In 2017 Kirsty Merryn released her debut album She & I (reviewed here) – “In her thematic approach, Kirsty Merryn’s album is following in the path of Tori Amos and Carol Ann Duffy, who have, respectively, written songs or poems about or in the persona of famous women. She deserves to reap similar rewards.” We also caught her performing live (reviewed here): “The stories she shared were endearing, but the emotion she conveyed and her breathtaking vocals were the stars of the show.”
Over at The Ham is a double duo bill which is sure to go down a treat – Nancy Kerr and James Fagan and Jimmy Aldridge & Sid Goldsmith. While Nancy and James have been mentioned above as a favourite Jimmy and Sid also join that list, especially following the release of their album Many A Thousand late last year – “…Aldridge and Goldsmith have created a record whose songs are immediate and politically necessary, and whose melodies will remain in the memory for years to come.”
The evening sees the performance of Hey In The Hay at the manor Pavillion. An original show by Adrian Williams, specially developed for Sidmouth, bringing to life through music, words, song and dance the rural lives depicted in the famous 18th-century painting of the ‘Dixton Haymakers.’ Featuring John Kirkpatrick, Barry Goodman, Stephen Rowley, Molly Pipe and dancers from Fools Gambit Morris. Preceded by dance performances from Crooked Moon and Star & Shadow Rapper, and music from Ben Moss and Laurel Swift.
The big evening concerts offer Richard Thompson (solo acoustic) and Kirsty Merryn at The Ham and Blackbeard’s Tea Party preceded by Thom Ashworth at The Bulverton. Blackbeard’s Tea Party are celebrating their 10th Anniversary and take over the Bulverton for the evening ending in a Late Night Extra Ceilidh which goes on to 1:15 am with Star and Shadow Rapper.
For more intimate settings, head to the Cellar Bar for Jimmy Aldridge & Sid Goldsmith, Ben Walker and Moirai or there’s Granny’s Attic, Bryony Griffith and Alice Jones, Harbottle & Jonas at the Bedford Hotel and the Woodlands Hotel is looking just as great for another Traditional Night Out hosted by John Howson with Bill Murray, Grace Smith, Jim Causley, Iona Fyfe, Chris Ormston, Katie Howson, Sheena Wellington, Keith Kendrick & Sylvia Needham. I’ll leave you to decide as I’m split on this one.
Friday 9th August
For the final festival day, The Ham offers a Grand Workshop Showcase. A chance to see the fruits of some of the week’s workshop series including John Kirkpatrick’s Festival Concert Band, Sandra Kerr’s Festival Choir, Jo May’s Percusstra, Louisa Davies-Foley’s Bones group, Paul Sartin’s Choir and Ilse Pedler’s Poets.
The early Friday highlight for me would be the Cellar Bar again with Album Showcase: Namer Of Clouds with Kitty Macfarlane. Gathering inspiration from the sky to the seabed, Kitty’s lyrics touch on intervention and rewilding, climate change and migration. This was a Featured Album of the Month and is an album I could happily sit through time and again: “Namer Of Clouds is an album to savour, a debut full of old wisdom and bubbling over with new ideas.”
Sadly, the other major highlight for me clashes with the one above so if you want to do both then make sure you catch Kitty at one of her other performances over the week as The Ham Concert features The Shee and Amythyst Kiah. The Shee are an enthralling multi-talented band as well as a major force in folk music, they command the stage and always manage to capture the hearts of their audience. Amythyst Kiah has a unique voice and describes herself as a Southern Gothic, alt-country blues singer/songwriter based out of Johnson City, TN – while she honours tradition she has a unique contemporary sound that makes this concert alongside The Shee pretty special.
One thing you shouldn’t miss is the traditional Torchlight Procession finale from Glen Road to the Lifeboat Station. The procession leads along the Esplanade onto the beach, followed by the traditional Firework Display. To be honest, this is where I usually end up meeting many of the folk artists we’ve featured across the year and catch up with old friends. It’s a pretty magical time and a reminder of the importance of Sidmouth Folk Festival.
I’ve barely scratched the surface here so be sure to check out the workshops, storytelling and the many sessions you will find going around the town – it’s really unlike any other festival out there – long may it continue.
To understand how big a part Sidmouth has played in Folk music, read our Sidmouth Folk Memories series here.
Further information and tickets can be found via The Sidmouth Folk Festival website:
www.sidmouthfolkfestival.co.uk