Two Weeks to Go to Sidmouth FolkWeek | Festival News

Sidmouth FolkWeek (3^rd – 10^thAugust) is just around the corner now, along with the much-anticipated sunshine!

Whilst it’s business as usual for the festival build team as they get everything in place for the summer’s best music-filled holiday (the marquees are arriving, the bunting is out, the fun is about to begin!), we’re getting excited about seeing some of our musical heroes!

Celtic musical legends, you say? Oh yes, we’ve got ‘em.

Three of the tradition’s current movers and shakers, Michael McGoldrick, John McCusker and John Doyle –join us at The Ham Marquee on Sunday 5^th August. Expect musical fireworks from these masters of flute, whistle and Uillean pipes, fiddle, guitar and song.

You know Donal Lunny? That’s the Donal Lunny who has been at the forefront of Irish music for decades, as a founding member of seminal bands like Planxty, The Bothy Band and Moving Hearts? Well, how about a Donal Lunny, Padraig Rynne & Sylvain Barou final night Ham concert, on Friday 10^th August? Not too shabby, eh?!

Oh, and not forgetting Dervish– described as “the apex of Irish music, period!” at The Ham on Saturday 4^th August.

And, thanks to the generous support of Creative Scotland, a wealth of talent and creativity from north of the border will be showcased throughout the week: from mighty traditions bearers Dick Gaughan and Archie Fisher to fast-rising stars such as young singer and guitarist Ewan McLennan and multi-award winning fiddle-led Highlanders Rua Macmillan Trio.

We’re particularly looking forward to the epically proportioned Treacherous Orchestra at The Bulverton on Tuesday 7^th August who promise to blast our socks off with their mighty wall of sound. Eleven of them…on one stage!

And for something completely different, Caledonia’s New Hardy Sons show comes to The Manor Pavilion on Wednesday 8^th August. Sokobauno Puppet Theatre and Glasgow-based guitarist, singer, interpreter of traditional ballads and writer/ composer of new songs, Alasdair Roberts present an intriguing tale of death and resurrection with Scottish Mummers play Galoshins told through live music, puppetry and shadow theatre.

And that’s just scraping the surface of what’s on offer throughout the week. There is plenty to keep you busy: workshops, intimate venue concerts, informal sessions, dance displays, In The Tradition events, ceilidhs, social dance, family festival, Shooting Roots events and more!

If you can’t be with us all week with an All-In-One or Week season, we look forward to seeing you for the Weekend, Day, or Individual Events – all choices catered for with our flexible ticketing options.

There’s still time to buy event tickets for the highlights at the Ham Marquee and Bulverton each day. Be sure you don’t miss:

Thursday
Pre-festival Special 8pm Chris Barber Big Band

Friday
3pm War Horse – The Concert
8pm Show of Hands with Miranda Sykes
8.15pm Kissmet

Saturday
3.15pm Black Umfolosi
8pm Dervish
8.15pm Stygiens

Sunday
3.15pm Chris Wood
8pm Michael McGoldrick, John McCusker
& John Doyle
8.15pm Seth Lakeman

Monday
3.15pm Jackie Oates
8pm Norma Waterson & Eliza Carthy
with The Gift Band
8.15pm Edward II

Tuesday
3.15pm Brass Monkey
8pm Spiers & Boden
8.15pm Treacherous Orchestra

Wednesday
3.15pm Mick Ryan’s Folk Opera The Pauper’s Path To Hope
8pm Martin Simpson Trio
8.15pm Must Come Down- Morris Offspring

Thursday
3.15pm Archie Fisher • Dick Gaughan
8pm June Tabor & Oysterband
8.15pm Jason Wilson Band

Friday
3.15pm Crucible Trio
7.30pm Donal Lunny, Padraig Rynne & Sylvain Barou
8pm Whapweasel