After the success of last year’s festival, plans are well underway for the second year of Exefest – Exeter Canalside Folk Festival.

Headliner Melrose Quartet, nominated for Best Group at the 2014 BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards, is the coming-together of multi-award winning duo Nancy Kerr and James Fagan, and legendary Sheffield duo Richard and Jess Arrowsmith.

Also featured are Luke Jackson, nominated for both the Young Folk Award and the Horizon Award at the 2013 Folk Awards, and newcomers The Dovetail Trio and The Black Hares.

There is also a special ‘Showcase Exeter’ concert, dedicated to showcasing talent from Exeter and the surrounding area. This includes such artists as Devonbird, and winners of the South West Music Award for Best Acoustic Act, Sound of the Sirens.

Exefest founder and director Laura English-Rose said “Last year we wanted to show that traditional folk is alive and thriving in the younger generations. This year we want to build on that amazing day, and the line-up reflects this. We’ve got the likes of Nancy Kerr and James Fagan, who have grown up through the ages to become well recognised folk stars, alongside Horizon Award Nominee Luke Jackson, just 19 years old,”

Laura is following in her father’s footsteps. Exeter-born folk singer Tony Rose, who died eleven years ago, organised South Petherton Folk Festival for many years.

Exefest will be held at the Double Locks pub on the Exeter Ship Canal on Saturday 12 April 2014. Doors open at noon.

The Showcase Exeter concert will be in the afternoon, followed by dance displays and an evening concert. Full price advance tickets £18, on the door door price £20. Showcase only tickets £5.

For more information and to buy tickets visit www.exefest.com.