On Saturday, November 2, Walthamstow Folk Festival will be bringing acclaimed singers, musicians and dancers from England, Scotland, Ireland and the USA to the ancient church of St Mary’s in East London for a one-day celebration of traditional music.
Although now in its third year , this is Walthamstow Folk Festival’s first time in collaboration with St Mary’s Music Hall as part of Waltham Forest London Borough Of Culture 2019.
Headlining the event is Sam Amidon from Vermont. Sam’s music features adventurous reworkings of traditional American ballads, hymns and work songs; and over a long and distinguished career he’s collaborated with Nico Muhly, Bill Frisell and the late great jazz trumpeter Kenny Wheeler (who lived most of his life in Leytonstone.) This will be the only London date of Sam’s autumn tour and he’ll be performing a full concert set with his band.
Also appearing will be multi-award winner Emily Portman, best known for her work with The Furrow Quartet and The Devil’s Interval. This is the first time Emily will have performed entirely solo, with a set of traditional and original songs where folklore and myth collide with urban landscapes. Especially recommended for fans of Angela Carter.
Back by popular demand is the melodeon and concertina prodigy Cohen Braithwaite-Kilcoyne who nearly brought the roof down when he played at the festival in 2017. An unmissable performer who’s become one of the most in-demand and best-loved young musicians at UK festivals.
Also returning are Boss Morris – an all-female Morris dance side from Stroud who appeared on stage with Hot Chip at this year’s Glastonbury Festival, and featured in the video for When I Leave by Fat White Family.
Joining them throughout the day will be Burd Ellen, Rock Of Eye, Paddi Benson & Grace Lemon, and Katie Spencer; demonstrating how varied and dazzling the current folk scene really is.
The event is curated by Walthamstow resident Tim Chipping who is co-founder of the River Lea record label that started as a direct result of the festival (read our recent interview with Tim here) and was nominated for six BBC Folk Awards this year (with Brìghde Chaimbeul winning the Horizon Award and Ye Vagabonds winning Best Traditional Track). They are also nominated for nine RTE Folk Awards in Ireland.
“For many years I daydreamed about starting a folk festival in Walthamstow and St Mary’s was always where I imagined it happening. It’s incredibly exciting to be able to bring so much great folk music to that historic building that’s become such an important part of the borough’s cultural life.” – Tim Chipping
Walthamstow Folk Festival
Saturday, November 2
12:30pm – 10:30pm
St Mary’s Music Hall, 8 Church End, E17 9RJ
A Waltham Forest London Borough Of Culture 2019 event.
Tickets £30/£25 conc. available from: https://www.musichalls.org/
Photo Credit: Niclas Weber