CARLSBERG KILKENNY RHYTHM N’ROOTS WEEKEND - APR 30 - MAY 3
Taking place in venues throughout Southern Ireland town of Kilkenny over the first May Bank Holiday weekend, this may not be local to the South Coast of England, but it’s well worth getting there. Roots, country, folk, gospel, rock - it’s all there with some brilliant acts including Willard Grant Conspiracy, Kelly Joe Phelps (pictured), Hot Club of Cowtown, Caitlin Cary, Michael Weston King, The Rimshots, The Lynch Mob & The
Rev Johnnie Thompson singers.
Information & tickets from the Festival Office, 29 Parliament - Phone +3535677 90057 - Email : rhythmandroots@eircom.net. See website www.kilkennyrooots.com for more information. Contact Kilkenny Tourist office for accommodation information - ring 05677 51500

BRIGHTON FESTIVAL - MAY 1 - 13
Art, literature, community events and much more but we are concentrating on the musical events during the festival here:
This year's classical music programme celebrates a year of Czech music including Dvorak's centenary, Janacek's 150th anniversary, Smetana's 180th anniversary and Suk's 130th anniversary. Brighton Youth Orchestra will be joined by Evelyn Glennie in a performance of Dave Heath's stunning percussion work African Sunrise, Manhatten Rain. ENO make its first visit with a Night of Italian Opera, with selections from La Traviatta, Rigoletto & Pucinci's La Boheme.
The opening night of the festival features Asian Dub Foundation with an exclusive world premiere performing a hypnotic drum'n'bass soundtrack to Gillo Pontecorvo's seminal 60s film classic The Battle of Algiers. Nick Cave heads up an all-star line up of The Handsome Family, Kate & Anna McGarrigle, Linda Thompson, Teddy Thompson, Rufus Wainwright and Laurie Anderson - joined by Leonard Cohen's original backing singers - for the only UK performance of “Came so Far For Beauty” - An Evening of Songs by Leonard Cohen. This concert is a once in a lifetime event, produced by visionary music producer Hal Willner in recognition of Leonard Cohen's hold on contemporary culture for the past three decades.
There is also an exclusive triple bill of three of world music's hottest African stars Mory Kante, Modeste Hughes and Manecas Costa, two of jazz fusion's legendary masters drummer Billy Cobham and keyboardist Joe Zawinual join together for a thrilling double-bill, Swedish jazz piano pioneer Tord Gustavsen& his trio, & virtuoso cellist Dave Darling exploring the meeting of East and West with the polyphonic singing of the Bunun Tribe of Taiwan in a fascinating musical adventure.
Brighton Festival Box Office: 01273 709 709
Website: www.brighton-festival.org.uk

WEYMOUTH FOLK FESTIVAL - MAY 7 - 9
Pavilion Theatre. For the 3rd year this event brings workshops, pub sessions, Morris and Appalachian dancing, folk village, parades and visiting artists including Show of Hands (pictured), Jez Lowe & The Bad Pennies.
Contact: Ken Ramsay, The Pavilion Theatre, Folk Festival Office, The Esplanade, Weymouth, Dorset, DT4 8ED. Tel: 01305 838504.

NEWBURY SPRING FESTIVAL - MAY 8 - 22
As well as a full programme of live music there are talks and readings, family and community events, masterclasses and workshops and visual arts exhibitions.
Music includes 16 classical concerts including the London Mozart Players, Joanna McGregor, the Palladian Ensemble and the BBC National Orchestra of Wales. There are five 0pera presentations and world music concerts featuring The Tibetan Monks, Mugenkyo and Zum Gypsy Tango. Jazz and cabaret events include Wit’s End, the Tommy Smith Quartet, Kit & The Widow and Claire Martin.
The Box Office number is 01635 522733 - for more details see www.newburyspringfestival.org.uk

SALISBURY FESTIVAL - SALISBURY LIVE MAY 14 - 16
MAIN EVENT - MAY 21 - JUNE 5
Salisbury Live kicks off the Festival from May 14 -16 then the main Festival fortnight runs from May 21 to June 5, with an opening weekend in the Cathedral featuring the City of London Sinfonia and cellist Natalie Clein on the Friday and a new commission from Paco Peña for his flamenco ensemble troupe and the Salisbury Festival Chorus on the Saturday and Sunday. There will be other Cathedral visits from the Czech National Symphony Orchestra, and The Hilliard Ensemble / Britten Sinfonia with a new commission from composer Piers Hellawell.
Chamber concerts include an all Bach programme from the Academy of Ancient Music in the wonderful Romsey Abbey, there's musical theatre with a Weill / Bernstein double bill from the Opera Group, a visit from the iconic South African singer Miriam Makeba (sponsored by PPML), plus contemporary jazz and music from around the world, including a sensational African/Indian sufi ensemble Sidi Goma and a Tibetan folk opera.
The full programme of music, theatre, dance and other events for the 2004 Festival is available from 16th March and all tickets are available from 27th March. For all ticket enquiries contact the Box Office on 01722 320333. The Festival web site ( www.salisburyfestival.co.uk ) goes live from 16th March and has full programme information, plus links to artists' web sites and other relevant sites.
For further information, programme details, interviews and photographs contact Miranda Johnson/Rachel Shimell, RM Communications, on 01962 864379/023 80 732981, or email: mirandajohnsonRM@hotmail.com or rachel.shimell@ntlworld.com

CHIPPENHAM FOLK FESTIVAL - MAY 28 - 31
Artists include Ashley Hutchings' Morris On Show, Brass Monkey, Carolyn Robson Chris Newman & Maire Ni Chathasaigh, Martyn Wyndham Read & The No Mans Band, Tanglefoot (Canada) plus dance groups including Hexham Morris, Island Cloggies, Morena Slovak Dancers + children’s entertainment. See www.chippfolk.co.uk for full details

ISLE OF WIGHT FESTIVAL - JUNE 11 - 13
Acts confirmed so far: Groove Armada, The Who, Manic Street Preachers, ElectricSoft Parade, Delays, Charlatans, Suzanne Vega. See www.isleofwightfestival.com for more details.

EASTLEIGH JUMP 2004 - JUNE 12 - 27
Dance festival organised by The Point at Eastleigh - Ring 02380 652333 for more details

TEIGNMOUTH MIDSUMMER FOLK FESTIVAL - JUNE 18-20
Details to follow

JOCKSTOCK 2004 - JUNE 18 - 19
Singer-songwriter Jackie Leven is putting on a one-day festival at Manor Farm Country Park at Bursledon to raise money for the Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Activites Centre there. Jackie celebrates his birthday on the Friday with An Englishman, Irishman *& A Scotsman, with Andy White and Michael Weston King and there will be solo sets by Jackie on both Friday and Saturday. Also appearing will be Debbie Greenwood and the Brewery Bar Jazz Band, G.O.R.G.E.O.U.S, Firegarden, Mary Jane, Arlen, Magic Cat, Skunk Funk, Hard Times String Band & Dan Ogus. Hampshire's 'secret' mini-festival will feature loads of other events throughout the weekend. There will be a limited amount of accommodation available in cabins in the woods - at £40 per person. The bands are playing for expenses, and all profits go to the Centre which provides adventure holidays for disabled children. Price: £15.00 weekend tickets / £7.00 day tickets. Also - 'If you don't know where here is' - Jackie discusses the literature and arts that have shaped his creative view. Ring 02380 404844 for more details or see Jackie’s website www.jackieleven.com

BLUESATHON - LYMINGTON - JUNE 19
Date just confirmed - watch this space for details of lineup

BISHOPS WALTHAM FESTIVAL - JUNE 20 - 27
Festival includes music from jazz singer Jacquie Dankworth on the Friday night & the Hampshire County Youth Band on Sunday afternoon

BLUES ON THE FARM - THUR JUNE 24 - SUNDAY JUNE 27
PUMPBOTTOM FARM NR CHICHESTER
Topping the bill this year, the inspired Eric Bibb plus Duke Robillard, Geoff Achison & the Souldiggers, Connie Lush & Blues Shouter, John Crampton, Trafficker, Antonio Forcione Quartet, Hamsters, Errol Linton's Blues Vibe, The Wildcards, Rab McCullough Band, Doug Jay & the Blues Jays, Studebaker John, Little Dave and lots more. One of the UK's premier blues events. Tickets now available via 01243 773828 or 01243 539072 - for more information see www.bluesonthefarm.com

GLASTONBURY FESTIVAL - JUNE 25 - 26
See www.glastonburyfestivals.co.uk - tickets go on sale on April 1 - they sold out within 24 hours last year, so good luck!

SPYDAFEST 2004 - PORTLAND, DORSET - JUNE 25 - 27
A new high quality music and community arts festival comes to Southwell Business Park (www.southwellbusinesspark.com ) Isle of Portland, Dorset this summer. Promoted by leading internet radio station SpydaRadio (www.spydaradio.co.uk ) in association with London’s celebrated Borderline Club ( www.borderline.co.uk) now a Mean Fiddler Group venue and music agency and Mutiny Music (www.mutinymusic.co.uk). This small, high profile event will showcase the eclectic music presented by Spyda Radio and this beautiful but economically struggling part of the Dorset Coast, recently designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Lists of artists taking part will appear in our Festival Focus section in due course.
Media profile for this event will be strong. The Big Issue is on board as the festival’s charitable benefactor. There are also very strong links with BBC Radio 2, and it is likely that certain shows will feature the artists programmed and the festival itself. BBC Radio 2 is now the nation’s most popular station with 18 million listener’s each day. There will be a series of advertisements released in the national press and music media in February/March ; MOJO, Uncut, FRoots, Guardian Guide and the Telegraph have all been shortlisted. Weymouth & Portland Borough Council are also firmly behind the event and will feature SpydaFest prominently in all of their seasonal publicity for the resort.
The site itself is an exposed outdoor Greenfield site overlooking the Jurassic coast and the famous Portland Bill and its lighthouse. There will be one main outdoor stage and a smaller 2nd venue in a marquee. The planned capacity for the festival will be 2000 customers for this first year. Both stages have an ongoing programme from Midday until late evening on the Saturday and Sunday. There may also do a "warm up" event on the Friday night for local residents and weekend ticket holders. Talks are taking place with a number of funders and community groups about securing finance for a programme of workshops and performances for local residents, both adults and children alike. In addition there will be a host of concession stalls offering a selection of foods and refreshments from around the world, craft products and of course a licensed bar. Portland residents will also get a heavily discounted ticket price, to make the weekend more accessible to them and encourage them to join in.
Brewing giant Carling are committed to sponsor SpydaFest 2004. This major player in the licensed products trade has been heavily involved in the UK live music scene for many years now, sponsoring festivals, concerts and an entire chain of venues throughout the country. The publicity that their presence will bring is huge, reflecting the vast numbers of visitors to their live event website (www.carlinglive.com)
More details are available from any of the websites listed above.

BEAMINSTER FESTIVAL - JUNE 26 - 27
The 2004 Beaminster Festival looks set to top last year’s event with an even more exciting programme. It will kick off in Beaminster Square on Saturday June 26 with a diverse collection of music from classical guitar and piano, and evensong, to a baroque ensemble, jazz quartet, youth choir, sounds of brass and steel and a Senegalese band. Plus, an entertaining mix of dance, artist workshops, exhibitions, comedy, opera, recitals and poetry readings.
The printed programme will be available from April 2004. Telephone 01308 862299 or visit www.beamfest.org.uk

WINCHESTER HAT FAIR - JULY 1 - 4
More details to follow

SAUL CANAL FESTIVAL - JULY 2 - 4
Bluehorses are there! More details to follow

CHRISTCHURCH FESTIVAL, DORSET - JULY 2 - 4
Headline artists for the 10th Christchurch Festival this year are, provisionally:
GORDON HASKELL (pictured)
The Hedgemonkeys
Diesel
Kira
MaryJane
Skint
Crosscut Saw
Lady Winwood's Maggot
Indian Summer
PennyComeQuick
Lighthouse Youth Club
Johnny Lovell's Band
Olas & Jinder
See www.christchurchfestival.co.uk for more information

LYME REGIS JAZZ FESTIVAL - JULY 2 - 4
The 14th Festival at lovely Lyme Regis has over a dozen top jazz bands including Alan Gresty/Brian White Ragtimers, The Chris Walker Swingtet, Gerry Brown’s Mission Hall Jazz Band, Yerba Buena Celebration Band, The Antique Six and Rod Chambers & His Louisiana Joymakers. Weekend tickets are £40 or you can get daily tickets. The opening ceremony is at 4pm on Friday July 2nd and a festival highlight is the Saturday Morning Parade at 11am with The Louisiana Parade Band.
Tickets and programmes are on sale from May 1 via Let’s Go Travel, 5 Bridge Street, Lyme Regis, DT7 3QA, Tel: 01297 442491.

CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL OF MUSIC - JULY 2 - 18
See www.cheltenhamfestivals.co.uk for full details

ROMSEY BEGGARS FAIR - JULY 9 & 10
Details to follow

LARMER TREE FESTIVAL – TOLLARD ROYAL JULY 14 -18
The Larmer Tree Festival have just announced that Nigel Kennedy and his East meets East Band will start this year’s festival in fine style with a special pre-festival concert on Saturday 10th July.
Due to immense public pressure Jools Holland and his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra will be performing on two nights this year - Wednesday 14th and Thursday 15th July.
The line-up for the weekend July 16 -18 July includes Misty in Roots, Los De Abajo (Mexico), Chip Taylor & Carrie Rodriguez (USA), DJ Derek, The HaveNots, Nizlopi, John Lester, and Odette Michell - check website www.larmertree.co.uk for new names as they are announced.

GUILDFORD FESTIVAL - JULY 16 - 18
Headline artists this year are Blondie, Simple Minds & UB40, full line-up to be announced shortly. For more details see www.guilfest.co.uk

MELA FESTIVAL, SOUTHAMPTON - JULY 19
Hoglands Park opposite Debenhams store is the venue for the second Mela Festival, a feast of Asian music. Watch this space for more details.

TROWBRIDGE FESTIVAL - JULY 22 -25
Artists include Richard Thompson The Levellers, Eddi Reader, Eliza Carth Band, Strawbs, Oysterband, Kelly Joe Phelps, Show of Hands, Chris Smither, Kent DuChaine, Barrelhouse Blues Band & Naked Voices. Visit www.trowbridgefestival.co.uk for more details

EASTLEIGH SUMMER FESTIVAL - JULY 23 - AUGUST 1
After last year’s highly successful first week-long festival, it goes on even longer this year and organiser Peter Chegwyn has booked some quality acts again, notably the great Dionne Warwick. Also on the bill for evening concerts are Bill Wyman’s Rhythm Kings, Aled Jones & The Libera Male Voice Choir, Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel, Shane McGowan and Rolf Harris. Afternoon acts will be announced soon.
Ticket outlets:
* The Point Arts Centre, Leigh Road, Eastleigh S050 9DE. Tel. 023 8065 2333
* The Mayflower, Southampton. Tel. 023 8071 1818 http://www.ticketsouth.co.uk
* The Brook, Southampton. Tel. 023 8055 5366
* Online from http://www.ticketweb.co.uk or from the 24-Hour Ticketweb
Telephone Hotline 08700 600 100

SIDMOUTH 50TH ANNIVERSARY FESTIVAL - JULY 30 - AUGUST 6
MAIN concert artists are Waterson Family Special
Danu
Kepa Junkera Band
Roy Bailey & Tony Benn
John Tams & Barry Coope
Chris Smither
Coope, Boyes & Simpson
Sid Kipper
The Fagans
Johnny Dickinson
Angus Lyon & Ruaridh Campbell
The Johnson Girls
Sara Grey
Kieron Means
Dan Milner & Bob Conroy
Jarlath Henderson - winner of the BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Awards 2003
Old Hat Concert Party
Bob Davenport
PLUS Ceilidhs & Global Dance artist including
BELLOWhead - The Spiers & Boden Big Band
Whapweasel
Flowers & Frolics
Hekety
Tiger Moth
Chipolatas
Jabadaw
The Old Swan Band
The Angel Brothers & Satnam Singh
Boka Halat
The Committee Band
The Bursledon Village Band
Also loads of dance teams, a children’s festival, workshops, food, drink & much more
Go to www.sidmouthfestival.com/tickets.html to book tickets

CROPREDY FESTIVAL, Near BANBURY, OXFORDSHIRE - AUGUST 9 - 14
Fairport Convention’s annual get-together happens in August as usual. The intinerary is as follows:
Mon 9th - Fairport Convention - Warm-up gig at The Mill, Banbury (01295 279002)
Tue 10th - Fairport Convention - Warm-up gig at The Mill, Banbury
Wed 11th - Ric Sanders Group - Warm-up gig at The Mill, Banbury
Thu 12th - 10am: Campsite opens
4.30: Blue Meanies
5.50: Mostly Autumn
7.30: Jackie Leven & Michael Cosgrove
9.00: Oysterband
Fri 13th - 9am: Campsite opens
12.00: Earl Okin
1.15: Andy Gutteridge Band
2.50: Family Mahone
4.30: Anna Ryder/Steve Tilston Band with Maart Allcock and Clive Bunker
6.20: Jerry Donahue Band
8.10: Show of Hands
10.00: Jethro Tull
Sat 14th - 9am: Campsite opens
12.00: Richard Digance
1.20: Tiny Tin Lady
2.00: The Mightyfirebirds
3.20: Jez Lowe and The Bad Pennies
5.00: Ashley Hutchings Morris On
6.40: Nick Harper
8.30pm: Fairport Convention
For festival enquiries, please fax on 01869 337142 or email on faircrop@aol.com. See website www.fairportconvention.co.uk
 

BEAUTIFUL DAYS, ESCOT PARK, DEVON - AUGUST 22 - 24
The rolling hills of this Devon estate make a perfect setting for the second year of this small but perfectly formed festival. Line-up includes: Drunk In Public, Misty in Roots, New Model Army, Show of Hands, System 7 (Steve Hillage), The Electric Soft Parade, The Levellers, The Peatbog Faeries & The Stranglers.
Tickets are as follows: £65 Weekend Camping tickets £32.50, Saturday or Sunday Day tickets (no camping) £40 Free for children Under 5 years but you must buy your tickets now! - see www.beautifuldays.org/tickets.htm

READING FESTIVAL - AUGUST 27 - 29
The Darkness, The White Stripes, Green Day, The Offspring, Morrissey, 50 Cent, Ash, The Libertines, The Hives, Franz Ferdinand, Lost Prophets, Reel Big Fish, Gold Finger, The Streets are acts announced so far. Many more to come.

SWANAGE FOLK FESTIVAL, DORSET - SEPTEMBER 10 -12
More details to follow

SOLENT FOLK FESTIVAL, WOOLSTON, SOUTHAMPTON - SEPT 18 -19
More details to follow

BLUES AT THE FORT, FORT PURBROOK, GOSPORT - SEPT 24-25
More details to follow

Looking for a different festival? Click here for our archive

Cara Dillon
Gosport & Fareham Easter Festival Sunday April 11th

Alvin Lee
The Anvil, Basingstoke Tuesday April 20th

Ian McLagan
The Brook, Southampton
Friday April 30th

The Passion Thornden Hall, Chandlers Ford Sunday April 18th

Wreckless Eric
The Railway Inn Winchester
Wed April 21

Martin Stephenson Talking Heads, Southampton
Wed April 21st

Freed
The Marine Theatre, Lyme Regis, Dorset Fri March 19