There are, however, tickets for other individual performances available along with full weekend passes, although you’ll have to be quick as these are selling out fast too.

In our opinion one of the nicest UK folk festivals, Beverley takes [...]]]> Sorry guys….tickets for The Proclaimers’ headline performance at this year’s Beverley Folk Festival have now sold out.

There are, however, tickets for other individual performances available along with full weekend passes, although you’ll have to be quick as these are selling out fast too.

In our opinion one of the nicest UK folk festivals, Beverley takes place on 18-20 June in, um, Beverley.

Weekend and Day tickets, and tickets for all other events are still available.

For more details on the full programme, visit the festival’s website www.beverleyfestival.com or call the Festival Office 01377 217569. info@beverleyfestival.com

Artists include:

The Proclaimers, Eddi Reader, Roy Bailey & Tony Benn, The Demon Barber Roadshow, The Brighouse & Rastrick Brass Band, Martin Simpson Trio, Gandalf Murphy & The Slambovian Circus of Dreams, Dervish, Charlie Dore & The Hula Valley Orchestra, Barbara Dickson, Blazin’ Fiddles, Koshka, Do?an Mehmet, Ivan Brackenbury, Jerry Harmon (USA), Jeni & Billy (USA), Sean Taylor, Karen Tweed, Ellen & The Escapades, Tyde

As usual there’s a starry line-up from every quarter of the cultural map with the big headlines going to Kris Kristofferson, Seasick [...]]]> Unless you’re lucky enough to live in Cambridge (in which case you can snaffle your residents-only perks now) you’ll be eQueueing for your Co-Operative Cambridge Folk Festival 2010 from the 16 May.

As usual there’s a starry line-up from every quarter of the cultural map with the big headlines going to Kris Kristofferson, Seasick Steve, Pink Martini, Seth Lakeman and the Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain.

There are some real Folkingcool favourites further down the bill too like The Unthanks, Johnny Flynn and Jackie Oates. You’ll also encounter The Imagined Village and Show of Hands if you’re into that kind of thing…

A fuller list of confirmed artists, as well as details on how to get your tickets are online at the Cambridge Folk Festival website.

www.cambridgefolkfestival.co.uk
(01223) 357851 – Box Office opens Sunday 16 May 9am – 4pm

WYCHWOOD FESTIVAL 2010 4-6 JUNE, ONLY ONE MONTH AWAY!

Folky fun for all the family is on its way as the Wychwood Festival draws closer. Tickets are still available for this weekend event in June, which promises grooving opportunities a-plenty and much bopping to classic Indie pop like [...]]]> Preview by Andrea Wren (www.andreawren.co.uk)

WYCHWOOD FESTIVAL 2010 4-6 JUNE, ONLY ONE MONTH AWAY!

Folky fun for all the family is on its way as the Wychwood Festival draws closer. Tickets are still available for this weekend event in June, which promises grooving opportunities a-plenty and much bopping to classic Indie pop like the Lightning Seeds, as well as folk superstars like Seth Lakeman (and for me, it seems, a foray into ‘dad speak’).

At its sixth annual event, Wychwood Festival announced Cornish folk legend Seth Lakeman as the Sunday night headliner, having played here back in 2006. Of course, folkies will be aware that Seth was nominated for the Mercury Music Prize and won the ‘Singer of the Year’ and ‘Best Album’ awards at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards, so he is expected to be an excellent finishing act.

Renowned for making folk music accessible to new audiences, Seth blends elements of traditional folk and story-telling with modern indie-folk melodies in his performances, exhibiting such energy you cannot help but love it.

Other celebrated artists for the weekend include The Levellers, who are starring on Friday, infamous Salford ‘Madchester’ band The Happy Mondays, headlining on Saturday, and appearances from old cult favourites such as John Otway, making this the strongest Wychwood Festival line-up to date.

Of course, as well as showcasing talented emerging artists, of which there will be many playing, Wychwood Festival is also loved for its exceptional comedy line-ups. After a hilarious performance last year, comedian Robin Ince will headline the Saturday comedy slot, and on Sunday, Canadian Pete Johansson will be taking the stage.

Taking place at Cheltenham Racecourse from the 4- 6 June, Wychwood Festival is seen as one of the UK’s most successful family-orientated arts and music events, and includes a considerable programme of dance, music and arts workshops, as well as a children’s literary festival.

Day tickets are now on sale, Adult tickets are priced at £35 (Friday), £50 (Saturday) and £40 (Sunday). There are also Youth concessions (16 – 18 years) available at £22 (Friday) £37 (Saturday) and £27 (Sunday) and 10 – 15 year olds tickets are priced at £20 (Friday, Saturday and Sunday). Under 10’s go for free with each adult ticket allowing two free under 10’s.

Adult weekend tickets are priced at £110. All tickets can be purchased from the festival box office on 01993 772580, Ticketmaster.co.uk on 0844 847 1681, WeGotTickets.com or SeeTickets.com.

For more information visit the website http://www.wychwoodfestival.com.

Leon Rosselson celebrated his 75th birthday last year, and 50 years of writing and singing topical and political song. A luddite at heart, Leon was still writing his songs and books on his typewriter when the rest of us were embracing word processors and computers. Yet, when a song is written specially for the election and has a [...]]]>

Leon Rosselson celebrated his 75th birthday last year, and 50 years of
writing and singing topical and political song. A luddite at heart,
Leon was still writing his songs and books on his typewriter when the
rest of us were embracing word processors and computers. Yet, when a song is written specially for the election and has a limited shelf left, there’s no better way of sending it out into the world than YouTube.

Inspired by election (or not), Leon’s new song, Talking Democracy Blues, offers an antidote to the posturing of platitudinous politicians pleading for our vote. Check it out at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=at10ezDb0Ao
Where are the Barricades? written after the banking crisis is at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WG5pErHryZM&feature=channel

WAHOOOP! It’s here again! Only when the sun comes out and the leaves reappear on the trees does the idea of Latitude Festival seem possible and not some crazy sun-starved daydream.

Oh, to revel in the memories of last year: Grace Jones changing her hat for every single song she performed; Nick [...]]]>

Preview by Joy Thomas

WAHOOOP! It’s here again! Only when the sun comes out and the leaves reappear on the trees does the idea of Latitude Festival seem possible and not some crazy sun-starved daydream.

Oh, to revel in the memories of last year: Grace Jones changing her hat for every single song she performed; Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds changing my beloved’s sartorial preferences (he couldn’t get over how cool a suit could look…); whiling away time under the Tree of Lost Things; wasting valuable time in ill-chosen theatre shows; shrieking with laughter as the bad language of comedians was projected all over the family friendly site. And, oh! for us folkingcoolsters there was folk a-plenty: Emmy the Great, Lisa Hannigan singing through the pouring rain, Camera Obscura, The Broken Family Band, Newton Faulkner…

This year the Suffolk festival holds similar treats for folkies. You’ve got your organic bread and rich jersey-cow butter in the form of Richard ‘grumpy dreamboat’ Hawley, Laura Marling, The Unthanks and Mumford and Sons, all folkingcool favourites, yum yum yum. Folky-indie grouping Belle and Sebastian are headlining on Saturday night (though they haven’t played live together since sep 2006 so they might be a bit ropey: JOKE). Rodrigo y Gabriela up the pace with that speedy guitar playing that makes you want to tip-toe quickly diddly-um diddly-um tippytoe-tiptoe. Brooklyn-based Grizzly Bear are going to provide for the fans of pyschadelic folk/pop whilst is-she-real-or-is-she-a-magical-fairy Charlotte Gainsbourg will up the levels of sorcery already cast by the curators of Latitude Festival. Frank Turner will make me cry with The Queen is Dead (if he plays it which, of course, he might not) and Vampire Weekend will be singing about grammar and unusual architectural facets when they headline the Obelisk stage on Sunday. Gawd.

Basically, then, SCREAM! But, worry not if you are unlucky enough to suffer the indignity of having folked-off partners and families, for there’s MORE. Latitude is well known for being more than just a music festival, and giving fair space to all the arts. There’s poetry (including beloved Wendy Cope, kiss kiss) and literature (Bret Easton Ellis. Yoiks) and comedy (Emo Phillips AND Arthur Smith!), and cabaret (Cardinal Burns are the best sketch group I’ve seen in ages: catch them in a tent while you can). And there’s art and opera and ballet and over-earnest teenagers doing Important Dancing and and and… it’s just going to be ace.

Friday night’s headliner is lovely jubbly Florence and the Machine (ALWAYS referred to as ‘flame haried songstress Florence Welch’, somewhat disappointingly) and The Horrors are playing in the crazy big blue tent known as the Word Arena. These are obviously the names to drop if you’re telling cool people you’re going to a festival…

If I had athsma I’d be taking a few puffs of ventalin now. Don’t remind me of the fact that all the sheep are spray-painted pink and there are trippy projections on the lake or I’ll need a bloody defribulator.

Joy Thomas

For tickets call the credit card line on 0871 2310846 or go online:

www.festivalrepublic.com
www.seetickets.com
www.latitudefestival.co.uk

De Montfort Hall and Gardens, Leicester

Gawd, how exciting! De Montfort Hall and Gardens will resonate this June with the sound of folky songstresses as The Big Session welcomes sweetie pie Cara Dillon, folkingcool love bunny Jackie Oates (whose latest album Hyperboreans the press release delightfully mis-spells as Hyperbeans) AND dear Kate Rusby. Oysterband [...]]]> Joy Thomas

De Montfort Hall and Gardens, Leicester

Gawd, how exciting! De Montfort Hall and Gardens will resonate this June with the sound of folky songstresses as The Big Session welcomes sweetie pie Cara Dillon, folkingcool love bunny Jackie Oates (whose latest album Hyperboreans the press release delightfully mis-spells as Hyperbeans) AND dear Kate Rusby. Oysterband return as reliable festival hosts, seeming to have done a brilliant job rounding up emerging artists; I’m particularly excited about seeing Nancy Elizabeth, Raghu Dixit, the Moulettes and stamping over-excitedly with Julian Gaskell and the Ragged Trousered Philanthropists. The bloody PROCLAIMERS will be there (folkingcool might have to get drunk for that) and melodious boffins Stornoway (hopefully doing some onstage DIY as backing music). Apparently there are impressive recycling initiatives AND a vast range of real ale. Folkingcool cannot WAIT and hope the sun shines. Watch this space for reviews of the festival in words, pictures and possibly noises.

Yipppeeee for Big Session!

www.bigsessionfestival.com

www.aiforg.com

The album marks a return to her roots with an outstanding collection of traditional songs. Already a highly acclaimed torch-bearer of traditional music, songwriter Cara, and [...]]]> One of the most original and stunning singers of traditional music, Cara Dillon, is currently touring, following the release of her beautiful fourth album, Hill of Thieves.

The album marks a return to her roots with an outstanding collection of traditional songs. Already a highly acclaimed torch-bearer of traditional music, songwriter Cara, and her husband, producer and fellow musician Sam Lakeman, will produce interpretations of classics from her album.

Born in Northern Ireland, Dillon has a number of accolades to her name including BBC Radio 2 Folk Award for Best Traditional Track, Best Traditional Act at Big Buzz and Hot Press Magazines as well as Irish Tatler’s Woman of the Year. In 2004, she won the prestigious Irish Meteor Award for Best Female Singer.

Catch her at London’s artsdepot on 5 March or visit her website for more tour dates. We’ll be reviewing the show at artsdepot so head back if you don’t manage to catch the gig…

If you fancy a festival with 14 stages, four mung bean burger stands and a Big Bank sponsored corporate VIP alcopops enclosure, Larmer Tree is probably not for you.

This is a friendly little festival which makes much of its cosy 4000 capacity and pretty-as-a-picture location on the Wiltshire/Dorset Border. It wins awards for “having [...]]]> Hugh Wilson

If you fancy a festival with 14 stages, four mung bean burger stands and a Big Bank sponsored corporate VIP alcopops enclosure, Larmer Tree is probably not for you.

This is a friendly little festival which makes much of its cosy 4000 capacity and pretty-as-a-picture location on the Wiltshire/Dorset Border. It wins awards for “having stuff to do for kids” (or somesuch), and mixes music with theatre, comedy, workshops, crafts and “fringe entertainment”.

The music, too, is a glorious hotchpotch of styles, with folk (confirmed acts include Chris Wood, The Bad Shepherds and folkingcool’s beloved Jonny Kearney and Lucy Farrel), Americana and world music high in the mix. You might have to suffer a bit of jazz in-between, but you can’t have everything. If it’s really getting too much, you could just go for a stroll in the verdant Victorian gardens.

Larmer Tree is described as a “boutique” festival, but don’t let that put you off. The festival is free of corporate sponsorship and, despite 20 years on the go, retains a pleasantly unprofessional vibe. If you want lots to do but not lots and lots of people trying to do it at the same time, think Larmer.

www.larmertreefestival.co.uk

You’ll know Holmfirth as the location for Last of the Summer Wine, the endless BBC sitcom that featured lovable pensioner rogues Compo, Clegg, Dopey, Happy and Not At All Funny and always used to be on at your gran’s when you popped round on Sunday.

But Holmfirth has so much more to offer than guided [...]]]> Hugh Wilson

You’ll know Holmfirth as the location for Last of the Summer Wine, the endless BBC sitcom that featured lovable pensioner rogues Compo, Clegg, Dopey, Happy and Not At All Funny and always used to be on at your gran’s when you popped round on Sunday.

But Holmfirth has so much more to offer than guided tours of Last of the Summer Wine country. Thank God.

The pretty West Yorkshire village, nestling in picturesque rolling countryside a few miles outside Huddersfield, is also home to the Holmfirth Festival of Folk (7,8,9 May), an event that grew out of the ashes of the Holmfirth Folk Festival (splitters!) in 2005.

HFF is small and perfectly formed. Most of the action takes place in pubs and on the streets and the vast majority is free. It’s fair to say it’s not a starry occasion, but acts already confirmed include Belshazzar’s Feast, Jeff Warner, Miriam Backhouse, Muldoon’s Picnic, Ray Hearne and Ray Padgett. Expect lots more.

It all makes for a bumper weekend of good folk and a very good excuse to spend more time than usual in pubs. Take time to visit Nora Batty’s famous tearoom if you like, but we wouldn’t advise it.

For more information visit www.holmfirthfestivaloffolk.co.uk