THERE will be a celebratory feel when the 40th anniversary Dartmoor Folk Festival takes place in the foothills of Dartmoor at South Zeal, near Okehampton, from Friday to Sunday, August 11, 12 and 13.
It was 40 years ago that the festival was founded by the late Bob Cann, who lived in the parish of South Zeal. He had the dream of a folk event on his doorstep that would help to revive and preserve the music, song and dance traditions of Dartmoor.
Thanks to the efforts of Bob Cann, his family and friends, and lately his descendants and a strong committee, with the support of...
One of the UK's top social song writers whose song cycle “Gentle Men” in collaboration with Roy Bailey was performed at the commemorative Passchendaele Peace Concert. In 2006 he was a special guest at the BBC's Folk Britannia Concert at the Barbican, and his “Gentle Men” song cycle recorded with Roy Bailey, Belgian singer Vera Coomans and Belgian Band Koen de Canter was described as “Thought Provoking and carrying great depth and weight (Living Tradition) and MOJO named the album Folk Album of the month, and the Daily Telegraph chose it as Folk Album of the year. In 2016...
Porter-Nickerson are a duo that embody the best of what live music has to offer: “Bonfire to Ash” has it all: heart, grit, and the kind of raw musicianship that transforms listeners into long-time fans.
Willy Porter’s searing finger-picking guitar style deftly blends with Carmen Nickerson’s lush vocals to create an unforgettable sound that resonates long after the last chord fades.
Searching for the shaman that lives inside the guitar has led Willy Porter on a musical and personal odyssey spanning over two decades, 10 albums, and multiple continents.
Started in Edinburgh in the 80's. Her “secretary Song” was the most requested song on “folk on 2” and “breast Feeding in the Park” has been taken up by the pro-breast feeding lobby.
Been involved in projects with Jim Woodland, Taffy Thomas, Christine Kidd, Sandra Kerr, Rosie Davis, Peta Webb, Coopes,Boyes and Simpson.
Member of the Natural Voices Practitioners Network, Director of Yorkshire Dales Workshops, she leads three...
‘...A standout performer of his generation’ – The Guardian ‘Boden plays a vast variety of instruments as we veer from mysterious love songs to dark, poetic tales, amid hints of soul, electronic and thrilling guitar thrash’ - Mojo ****
In an exciting Festival first, folk star Jon Boden will take the role of Guest Curator of Cambridge Folk Festival 2017. Jon Boden is delighted to announce Painted Lady tour, Part Two, starting in May 2017.
Best known as the lead singer of the progressive folk big band Bellowhead, who split in May 2016, Jon launched his solo career in Autumn...
This event is part of ‘Shore to Shore Revisited’ a lecture, recital and concert tour given by Newfoudland’s Jim Payne and Devon’s Paul Wilson and Marilyn Tucker of Wren Music.
JIM PAYNE is a renowned Newfoundland folk singer who is best known for performing Newfoundland’s traditional sea shanties. He was born in Notre Dame Bay in Newfoundland and plays many instruments, including the guitar, violin, accordion and mandolin. Besides being a singer, he is a storyteller, actor and writer. He also teaches Newfoundland square and step dances and has been inducted to the Arts...
Feast of Fiddles was formed in 1994 as a one-off concert ensemble as Hugh Crabtree thought it would be a good idea and Mike Sanderson of Nettlebed Folk Club thought so too!
Fast forward and in 2017 their sixth studio album entitled Sleight of Elbow will be released. The new album Sleight of Elbow is something of a departure for the band as it features a lot of original compositions from within the band and only a single traditional tune.
Feast of Fiddles embarks on its 24th annual spring tour in 2017 to coincide with the release of their new album.
‘In Iona Macdonald’s singing resides a loveliness that cannot be taught’ Rolling Stone, Germany ‘[Paul Tasker] is one of the guitarists of his generation’ Maverick Magazine Glasgow’s Doghouse Roses (Iona Macdonald and Paul Tasker), once more present their unique take on contemporary folk and reaffirm that they are ‘Something a little bit special’ (The List) with the release of their long-awaited third studio album ‘Lost is Not Losing’.
Touring with Doghouse Roses is the Joseph Parsons Duo. Paul met Joseph in Germany, where they had the same booking agent, and they toured together....
“Ferocious Dog are the new noise on the block – and are surprising everyone with their rapid ascent.
There is no way they’re following any hipster templates – fronted by a big burly man with a mohican who sings impassioned political songs of broken Britain whilst his band seethes like a punky Levellers – they are the music business’s worst nightmare – a great band who are going to make it without anyone’s permission”. (John Robb, Louder Than War, Glastonbury, 5th July 2016). 2016 was a defining year for Ferocious Dog.
