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PLAYING OUT LOUD!
FESTIVAL FOCUS

Welcome to our guide to music festivals in the South of England which will be a regular feature right up until November. This is just a skeleton list, which will be added to on a weekly basis from now onwards, so keep coming back for more info!


INTERNATIONAL GUITAR FESTIVAL – JULY 27 – AUGUST 11
Bath, Somerset
Phil Castang (General Manager), Abbey Chambers, Abbey Churchyard, Bath, BA1 1LY. Tel: 0870 240 6783. Contact: phil@igf.org.uk 
www.visitbath.co.uk


GLOUCESTER INTERNATIONAL RHYTHM AND BLUES FESTIVAL – JULY 28 – AUGUST 5
This list may even be in alphabetical order!
Ace and The Two Deuces American Blues Harmonica Masters with The Michael Roach Band
Blues-To-Go
Bridget and The Big Girls Blues
Cool Hand
D. B. Smith Band Giles Hedley and The Aviators
Johnny Dickinson
Martin
Matt Schofield Band
Memphis in the Meantime Mike Harrison Band
Mike Sanchez and The Portions
Molly Brown Paul Cowley and the TTs Perry Foster Ragtime Blues Orchestra
Rick Payne Sharrie Williams and the Wiseguys
Sons of the Delta
Spank The Monkey Steve Browning and Wayne Elliot
The Animals
The Big Blues Tribe
The Dirty Robbers
The Suspects
The Worried Men
Will Killeen

Central Gloucester Initiative, 43 Clarence Street, Gloucester, GL1 1EA. Tel: 01452 412828. Fax: 01452 502539. Contact: info@gloucesterblues.co.uk 
www.gloucesterblues.co.uk


WICKHAM FESTIVAL – AUGUST 2 – 5
This year’s festival will be near the site, but in the fields behind Wickham Community Centre so the atmosphere will be much better. Artists already booked include Jethro Tull, Eddi Reader, The Saw Doctors, Eliza Carthy & The Ratcatchers, Kathryn Tickell, Shooglenifty, The Men They Couldn’t Hang, The Hamsters and many more.
Peter Chegwyn, 51 Russell Street, Gosport, Hants, PO12 3JD. Tel: 023 9252 8017. Fax: 023 9252 8017. Contact: eastfest@talk21.com 
www.wickhamfestival.co.uk


MARVELLOUS 07, CANFORD PARK ARENA, BOURNEMOUTH – AUGUST 4 & 5
Sat 4 – One Night of Queen + The Motown Show + Perfect Alibi
Sun 5 – The Bootleg Beatles + Abba Mania + The Hamsters
See www.marvellousfestivals.com


THE BIG CHILL FESTIVAL – AUGUST 3 - 5
Eastnor Castle Deer Park, Herefordshire
Artists include Isaac Hayes, The Blockheads, Bombay Dub Orchestra
Stuart Archer, Chillfest ltd, PO Box 52707, London, EC2P 2WE. Tel: 020 7684 2020. Fax: 020 7684 2021. Contact: info@bigchill.net 
www.bigchill.net


SIDMOUTH FOLK WEEK – AUGUST 3 – 10
Acts already announced include Show of Hands, Altan, Liz Rider, Spookymen, Eliza Carthy, Nancy Kerr & Vin Garbutt
Tourist Information Centre, Ham Lane, Sidmouth, Devon, EX10 8XR. Tel: 01395 578627. Contact: info@sidmouthfolkweek.co.uk 
www.sidmouthfolkweek.co.uk


EASTBOURNE LAMMAS FESTIVAL – AUGUST 3 – 4
Artists include Black Strap Molasses, Simon Hopper Band, The Dolmen, Ashley Hutchings’ Rainbow Chasers
Jerry Bird, 14 Bath Road, Eastbourne, East Sussex, BN21 4UA. Tel: 01323 735364. Contact: greenmangallery@lineone.net 
www.lammasfest.org


FAIRPORT'S CROPREDY CONVENTION – AUGUST 9 - 11
Nr. Banbury, Oxon
Already approached subject to contract for this year’s festival are Kerfuffle and BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Award winners Last Orders – as well as top established acts such as The Strawbs and Show of Hands. Jools Holland's Rhythm 'n' Blues Orchestra will close the Thursday evening, Richard Thompson and his band will headline on Friday, and the festivities will finish – as always – with a Fairport Convention and friends on Saturday
Contact: Gareth Williams, Fairport Convention Ltd, 6 Stonehouse Business Centre, Market Square, Chipping Norton, Oxon, OX7 5NA. Contact: info@fairportconvention.com 
www.fairportconventon.com


CARTWHEEL INN BEER FESTIVAL, WHITSBURY, NR FORDINGBRIDGE – AUGUST 10 -12
Real Ales
Barbeques
Live Music, Friday featuring Cross Cut Saw and Saturday Amps and Tramps
Sunday Morris Dancing


DARTMOOR FOLK FESTIVAL – AUGUST 10 - 12
South Zeal, Okehampton, Devon
Mrs Jane White, Sunnyhill, Zeal Head, South Zeal, Okehampton, Devon, EX20 2JL. Tel: 01837 840102. Fax: 01363 773545. Contact: enquiries@dartmoorfolkfestival.co.uk
www.dartmoorfolkfestival.co.uk


ENDORSE IT IN DORSET, SIXPENNY HANDLEY – AUGUST 10 – 12
Artists include Pronghorn, The Undertones, Dreadzone, The Cropdusters, Babyhead, The Highliners, Ed Tudor Pole, 3 Daft Monkeys, The Ukranians and many more
www.pronghorn.co.uk


BROADSTAIRS FOLK WEEK – AUGUST 10 - 17
Pierremont Hall, Broadstairs, Kent, CT10 1JX. Tel: 01843 604080. Fax: 01843 866422. Contact: info@broadstairsfolkweek.org.uk 
www.broadstairsfolkweek.org.uk


DAMERHAM FESTIVAL, NR FORDINGBRIDGE – AUGUST 11
Mud + TooREX + Basketcase + The Bowie Experience
Seventies inspired all day festival, with some great tribute acts and original bands.
At Damerham & Fordingbridge Music Festival, Damerham
From 1:00pm


JEWISH SONG SUMMER SCHOOL – AUGUST 12 - 24
Geraldine Auerbach, JMI SOAS, University of London, PO Box 232, Harrow, Middlesex, HA1 2NN. Tel: 020 8909 2445. Fax: 020 8909 1030. Contact: jewishmusic@jmi.org.uk 
www.jmi.org.uk


KLEZFEST, LONDON - AUGUST 12 - 24
Geraldine Auerbach, JMI SOAS, University of London, PO Box 232, Harrow, Middlesex, HA1 2NN. Tel: 020 8909 2445. Fax: 020 8909 1030. Contact: jewishmusic@jmi.org.uk 
www.jmi.org.uk


BIDEFORD FOLK FESTIVAL – AUGUST 13 – 19
Artists include Last Night’s Fun, Dambuskers, Les Barker, Bodega, Company of Fools.
Andy Knight, 32 Tennacott Heights, East the Water , Bideford, Devon, EX39 4DH. Tel: 01237 473931. Contact: andy@bidefordfolkfestival.co.uk 
www.bidefordfolkfestival.co.uk


BEAUTIFUL DAYS – AUGUST 17 – 19
Escot Park, Honiton, Devon
SOLD OUT!
Tel: 01392 425309. Contact: info@beautifuldays.org 
www.beautifuldays.org


ROCKINBEERFEST 07 – AUGUST
Godmanchester, Huntingdon, Cambs.
Contact: Tel: 0845 299 0845.
www.rockinbeerfest.co.uk


DIVINE MOON FESTIVAL – AUGUST 17 – 19
Portland, Dorset – contemplative & devotional music
Contact: Peter Jadinge, 45 Straits, Portland, Dorset, DT5 1HG. Tel: 01305 824996 / 07980 657906 (m). peter@divinemoon.com 
www.divinemoon.com


TOWERSEY VILLAGE FESTIVAL - AUGUST 23 - 27
Nr. Thame, Oxon
Festival Office, PO Box 296, Matlock, Derbyshire, DE4 3XU. Tel: 01629 827016. Fax: 01629 821874. Contact: info@towerseyfestival.com 
www.towerseyfestival.com


SOUTHSEA FOLK & ROOTS FESTIVAL – AUGUST 24 – 27
Artists booked so far include Jackie Leven, Colvin Quarmby, The Steve Gibbons Trio, Memo Gonzalez & The Bluescaster
See www.barkingspider.com


CORNWALL FOLK FESTIVAL – AUGUST 24 - 27
Wadebridge, Cornwall
Already booked: John Kirkpatrick, Mich Ryan & Pete Harris, The Outside Track, Anthony John Clark, No Strings Attached, Dangerous Curves, Lynne Heraud & Pat Turner, Barron-Brady, Rum & Shrub, Thorn & Roses
Contact: Brian Timmins, Booking Office, Flat 2 Millhouse, Victoria Place, Penzance, TR18 4DB. Tel: 01736 333290 (info) / 01736 850630 (bookings). cornwallfolkfest@btinternet.com


DIDMARTON BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL – AUGUST 31 – SEPT 2
Kemble Airfield, nr. Cirencester, Glos
First band to be booked is Blue Highway – many more to be announced
Contact:Moira Wirtz. Tel: 011373 813590. moira@sorefingers.co.uk 
www.didmarton-bluegrass.co.uk


WALLINGFORD BUNKFEST – AUGUST 31 – SEPTEMBER 2
Wallingford, Oxon.
Liaison Co-ordinator, PO Box 16, Wallingford, Oxon, OX10 0NF. Tel: 07743 330494. Fax: 0870 706 1775. Contact: info@bunkfest.co.uk 
www.bunkfest.co.uk


TRADITIONAL MUSIC DAY – SEPTEMBER 1
Stowmarket, Suffolk
Contact: Katie Howson, 44 Old Street, Haughley, Stowmarket, IP14 3NX. Tel: 01449 771090. info@eatmt.fsnet.co.uk 
www.eatmtorg.uk


BURNHAM FOLKFEST – AUGUST 31 – SEPTEMBER 2
Burnham-on-Sea, Somerset
Contact: Graham Cook, GC Music, College Street, Burnham-on-Sea, Somerset. Tel: 01278 494414. gcwebsite@aol.com 
www.folkfest.co.uk


PORTSMOUTH MULTICULTURAL FESTIVAL – SEPTEMBER ?
Castle Field, Southsea, Hants
Contact: Tricia Edwin. PO Box 597, Portsmouth. PO1 1XQ. info@gloriousfab.com


SWANAGE FOLK FESTIVAL – SEPTEMBER 7 – 9
Swanage Tourist Office, Shore Road, Swanage, Dorset. Tel: 0870 4420680
Acts announced so far: Spiers & Bode, Steve Tilston, New Rope String Band, Faustus, Crucible, Nancy Kerr & James Fagan, 2Pauls, Cloudstreet, Kimber’s Men, John Conolly
Contact: swanagefolkfestival@yahoo.co.uk 
www.swanagefolkfestival.co.uk


ST IVES SEPTEMBER FESTIVALOF MUSIC AND THE ARTS SEPTEMBER 9 – 23
Cornwall.
Contact: Martin Val Baker, Rainyday Gallery, 116 Market Jew Street, Penzance, TR18 2LD. Tel: 01736 366077. rainday@macunlimited.net


MAGICAL DORSET – SEPTEMBER 13 – 23
Various magical Dorset locations play host to a series of spectacular international art events to transform the county
with eleven days of free outdoor theatre, performance, dance, acrobatics and pyrotechnics
From 13 to 23 September, Dorset will be transformed by Inside Out, the biggest festival of outdoor performance ever to take place in the county.
Iconic locations - a mediaeval Minster, a working harbour, a small fishing port, a Victorian pleasure garden, a Napoleonic fort and an ancient hill-top settlement - become landscapes of the imagination, giving a new twist to our perception of Dorset.
Inside Out presents major companies from France, Poland, Spain and the UK. Highlights include the premiere of Red EarthÕs Enclosure, Teatr Biuro PodrozyÕs seminal Carmen Funebre and an awesome display of fire sculpture from Carabosse.
Periplum (UK) presents Arquiem
Thursday 13 & Friday 14 September at 8pm
Wimborne, East Dorset
Based on a Robert Browning poem and with echoes of mediaeval pageant, this dark folk tale takes the audience on both a dramatic and a literal journey among the twisting alleyways and ancient buildings of Wimborne and the Minster.

Sarruga (Spain) presents Peixos (Fish from the Deep)

Saturday 15 September at 8pm
Poole Quay and High Street
Clandestine street artists from Barcelona, Sarruga create a spellbinding underwater world where luminescent sharks, dancing jellyfish and scuba divers swim through the crowd as if it were the sea itself.

Counter Currents presented by various artists (Spain, Switzerland and UK plus local performers)

Sunday 16 September from 1pm to 7pm
West Bay, Bridport, West Dorset
Performance hairdressers, aerial theatre artists, rope walkers and a deadpan dance performance on bins, bollards and traffic islands are just a part of this fantastic afternoon of performance by the sea.

Carabosse (France) presents Fire Gardens

Wednesday 19 to Friday 21 September from 7.30pm
Bournemouth Lower Gardens
As dusk falls, these beautiful Victorian gardens will be transformed into a spectacular night-time promenade, ablaze with thousands of points of light, accompanied by a live musical soundscape.

Teatr Biuro Podrozy (Poland) presents Carmen Funebre

Friday 21 to Saturday 22 September at 8pm
Nothe Fort, Weymouth
The Napoleonic-era Nothe Fort forms a historic setting to this internationally-acclaimed piece of outdoor theatre depicting the terrible impact and nature of war. The electrifying performance incorporates fire, stilts and highly visual staging to create a performance language that transcends geography.

Red Earth (UK) presents Enclosure

Sunday 23 September at 5.30pm
Hambledon Hill, North Dorset
Bronze percussion, Japanese butoh, pyrotechnics and the elements converge in an atmospheric performance-journey across the ancient landscape of Hambledon Hill. This incredible site has been shaped by over five thousand years of human occupation and the performance weaves between the present day and the Neolithic past.

As well as experiencing extraordinary performances in extraordinary places,
Inside Out is also an opportunity to enjoy a remarkable county with some of the UKÕs most stunning landscapes, delicious local food and drink, and activities from dolphin-spotting, surfing and sailing to beachcombing and mushroom-hunting.

Check out the following for places to stay or eat:
www.thebullhotel.co.uk;
www.the-retreat.org.uk
www.acorn-inn.co.uk;
www.chandlershotel.com;
www.washingpool.co.uk;
www.rivercottage.net.

Festival information line 08700 668 701 (The Lighthouse, Poole)
Website www.insideoutdorset.co.uk


BLUES AT THE FORT – SEPTEMBER 14 & 15
Fort Purbrook, Portsmouth, Hants
contact: bluesatthefort@btinternet.com 
www.bluesatthefort.com


THE MAYOR'S THAMES FESTIVAL – SEPTEMBER 15 & 16
South Bank, London
Contact: Peter Slavid, The Bargehouse, London, SE1 9PH. Tel: 020 7928 8998. p.slavid@coin-street.org 
www.thamesfestival.org


CORNISH BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL – SEPTEMBER 15 - 17
Newquay, Cornwall
Contact: Lorraine Moore, 28 Fore Street, Camborne, Cornwall. Tel: 01209 719897 (eve). lorrainew@28fs.fsnet.co.uk


SOLENT FOLK FESTIVAL – SEPTEMBER 16
At Woolston Community Centre, Southampton
Artists include Mrs Ackroyd Band, Winchester Community Choir, Hamish Currie, Chris & Siobhan Nelson, Chien Bizarre
See www.focsle.org.uk


SALISBURY FOLK FESTIVAL – SEPTEMBER 21 - 23
Hurdcott, Salisbury, Wilts
Contact: Keith Harris, Fairfield, Hurdcott, Salisbury, SP4 6HJ. Tel: 07831 718789. enquiries@salisburyfolk.co.uk 
www.salisbury.folk.co.uk


BLUES AT THE FORT – SEPTEMBER 14 & 15
Fort Purbrook, Portsmouth, Hants
contact: bluesatthefort@btinternet.com 
www.bluesatthefort.com


TENTERDEN FOLK FESTIVAL – OCTOBER 5 – 7
nr Ashford, Kent.
Contact: Alan Castle, 15 Repton Manor Road, Ashford, Kent, TN23 3HA. Tel: 01233 626805. folkspots@btinternet.com


BANBURY CANALSIDE FOLK FESTIVAL – OCTOBER 12 - 14
Banbury, Oxon.
Contact: D G Droscher, Just William, Fenny Marina, Wharf Road, Fenny Compton, Warks, CV47 2XD. Tel: 01295 770952.


Looking for a different Festival Focus? Click here for our archive

Featured artists:
see POL Articles

 Lightnin’ Willie, The Cellars, Southsea - Wednes August 8 & Thomas Tripp, Christchurch Thurs August 9.
Lightnin’ Willie
The Cellars,
Southsea
Wednes August 8
& Thomas Tripp, Christchurch
Thurs August 9.

Loomer - Talking Heads, Southampton - Thursday August 23
Loomer
Talking Heads, Southampton Thursday August 23

Isaac Hayes - The Opera House, Bournemouth - Saturday August 4
Isaac Hayes
The Opera House, Bournemouth Saturday August 4

The Spooky Men’s Chorale - Wickham Festival - Friday August 3 & Sidmouth Festival - Saturday August 4
The Spooky
Men’s Chorale

Wickham Festival Friday August 3
& Sidmouth Festival Saturday August 4

Lethal Bizzle - The Joiners, Southampton - Thursday August 16
Lethal Bizzle
The Joiners, Southampton Thursday August 16

The Damned - The Brook, Southampton - Saturday August 18
The Damned
The Brook, Southampton Saturday August 18

The Brook music venue in Southampton is having a few problems at the moment, so we urge you to support it by turning out in force

Southampton's No 1 recording studio Untapped Talent

 


 

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