From now until the autumn this section will keep you in touch with all the festivals in the South. Keep coming back to it because it will be constantly updated as we get details of more festivals & lineup changes

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

DEVIZES FESTIVAL - JUNE 9 - 21
Devizes Festival 2004 musical highlights include the Martinu Quartet and
chamber musicians Music for Awhile, with their Evening with Johnann Sebastian Bach plus a night of roots music from two lively young bands Croft No 5 and Beltaine, as well as a weekend of blues music featuring accomplished guitarist, vocalist and songwriter Lightin' Willie and The Poor Boys. On the folk scene, Cara Dillon brings her six-piece band to the Festival for a night of scintillating contemporary folk music. For more details see the website www.devizesfestival.co.uk

WIMBORNE FOLK FESTIVAL - JUNE 11 - 13
Amongst the artists appearing this year are At First Light, Fianna, Luke
Daniels & Jonathan Preiss, Steve Tilston, Legacy and Four Men & A Dog. There will also be loads of dance troupes and other activities going on over the weekend.
For ticket information contact: Linda Wild, linda.wild@wimbornefolkfestival.co.uk, 32a Sea View Road, Upton,
Poole Dorset . Tel 01202 623740

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
A small friendly festival in the beautiful South Devon seaside location of
Teignmouth features Les Barket in concert with support from Quiddity at the London Hotel on Friday June 18. Saturday June 19 features Morris – Border – Clog & Appalachian Displays & various workshops, Children’s/Family Concert with Clive Fairweather, 'Tales of the Sea and Other Strange Places’ – Venue tbc,
Saturday Night Grand Ceilidh with ‘Fox Amongst the Chickens’ at 8.00pm with Real Ale Bar. Sunday June 20 sees the 6th Teignmouth Festival wind up with final folk sessions and dance displays.

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
Following is a list of the artists appearing at Bluesathon 2004.
Amy Wadge
* Zoot Money
* Michael Messer
* Ian Siegal
* Sonny Black
* Big Red
* The Original JQ
* Dorsal Fin
* The Juice
* Grass Roots
* Second Wind
* Skimmer
* Swing 39
* Ronnie & Jonnie
* Swamp Thing
* Surgo ( Wend Lewis)
* Amie & Mike from Pennycomequick
Ticket details: £10 for Adults, £5 for Concessions and 13-15years, FREE for Under-12s. They are available from:
The Thomas Tripp, Lymington
Forest Records, Earley Court, Lymington
Basking Cod, Gosport Street, Lymington
Simply Guitars, Gore Road, New Milton
A limited number of tickets will also be available on the gate.
More information is available from the ticket hotline on: 01425 270077.

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
SPYDAFEST 2004, PORTLAND, DORSET - JUNE 25 - 27
The running order for the first Spydafest music festival at Portland
headlined by Tony Joe White is as follows:
FRI 18:15 Djambo
19:15 Michael Messer
20:30 Gordon Haskell
22:00 Barrelhouse Blues Orchestra

WOMAD, RIVERMEAD, READING - JULY 23 -25
This year’s WOMAD is the usual mix of top quality artists from all over the world including Nigel Kennedy, David Byrne, the Dhol Foundation, Imbongi and loads more.
For more info see weww.womad.org

CAMBRIDGE FOLK FESTIVAL - JULY 29 - AUG 1
Amongst artists appearing this year are:
Jimmy Cliff, Beth Orton, Gillian Welch, Levellers (acoustic), Divine Comedy, Asleep At The Wheel, Bert Jansch, Brian McNeill, Dixie Hummingbirds, Dòchas, Dr Faustus,
Ezio, Horace X, Jarlath Henderson, Jim Moray, Josh Ritter, Keb’ Mo’, Kepa Junkera,
Last Night’s Fun, Loudon Wainwright III, Mariza, Michael McGoldrick Band, Mindy Smith, Oyster Ceilidh Band & Peter Buckley Hill
For full information see www.cam-folkfest.co.uk

SIDMOUTH FESTIVAL - JULY 30 - AUGUST 6
The Sidmouth International Festival celebrates its Golden Jubilee, filling the seaside town of Sidmouth, Devon with a full week of music, dance and song. A great line-up of artists has already been confirmed to join in the celebrations including Kate Rusby & John McCusker, Steeleye Span with Maddy Prior back at the helm, Ralph McTell, The Waterson Family Special with Norma Waterson, Martin Carthy, Eliza Carthy and a rare appearance from Mike Waterson, plus many more artists.
The Festival spreads into venues throughout the town with 8 full days of concerts, dances and workshops to choose from. At the Radio 2 Concert Marquee headline acts include the superb Irish group Danú who have just won the 2004 BBC Radio 2 Folk Award for Best Group; Basque Country phenomenon Kepa Junkera with his band, and captivating duo John Tams & Barry Coope. Tony Benn & Roy Bailey perform 'The Writing on the Wall' which won BBC Radio 2's "Best Live Act" in 2003 plus Banditaliana featuring Riccardo Tesi, well known in the UK for his tours with John Kirkpatrick.
See website www.sidmouthfestival.com for more details & ticket prices.

BROADSTAIRS FOLK WEEK - AUG 6 - 13
Details to follow

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

THE GREEN MAN FESTIVAL, BRECON, WALES - AUGUST 21 - 22
Amongst the artists taking part in a festival iun the grounds of Baskerville
Hall in the heart of the beautiful Brecon Beacons are Jackie Leven, The Memory Band, Aidan Smith, Fionn Regan, Alisdair Roberts, Chris T-T, Lucky Jim, Clayhill, Brave Captain and Sweet Baboo.
For more information hav a look at www.thegreenmanfestival.co.uk

BEAUTIFUL DAYS, ESCOT PARK, DEVON - AUGUST 21 & 22
Hailed as the best new festival in the UK, the Levellers' festival Beautiful
Days is back for it's second year. Organised by Exeter based company DMF Productions on behalf of the band, Beautiful Days looks set to be even better this year! There’s music from some of the best live bands around but there's also something special about particular Beautiful Days - it creates a real sense of community which involves and benefits individuals, couples and families of all ages and from all walks of life. In short it's a vibrant, safe, well organised and very enjoyable weekend.
Headlining the Main Stage on Saturday are the ultimate festival band, the
Levellers. Joining them on the bill are Alabama 3 - the band who gave the hit TV series 'The Sopranos' their theme tune and who, like the Levellers, live quite happily outside the music mainstream and are one of the coolest and quirkiest bands around. Indie Brighton band Electric Soft Parade, adventurous Celtic band The Peatbog Faeries, The Bays, Neck and Solabeat Alliance complete the Saturday Main Stage bill. Headlining the Big Top Stage on Saturday are System 7, the psychedelic and hypnotic band based around Steve Hillage. They are joined by one-man band Rory McLeod, eco-folk band Seize the Day, Lucky Jim, She
Said, Brazil and Drugdealercheerleader.
Headlining the Main Stage on Sunday are seventies punk icons The Stranglers whose new album, “Norfolk Coast” is currently earning them rave reviews.
Joining them on the bill are the intense and lyrically superb New Model Army and the great UK reggae band Misty in Roots. Jazz swing band King Pleasure & The Biscuit Boys, contemporary Jewish band Oi-Va-Voi, Rose Kemp, Skindred, Waxed Apple and Ox complete the Sunday Main Stage bill. Big Top Stage headliners on Sunday are Westcountry favourites Show of Hands - voted Best Live Act at the 2004 BBC Folk Awards. Also on the bill are McDermotts Two Hours the folk-rock band featuring Nick Burbridge, Drunk in Public aka the Levellers with
their acoustic hats on, Los Albertos, Duke Special, Blackfoot Brothers and Warmachines of Love.
Food, drink, youth theatre, craft stalls, camping facilities are other
attractions to be found at beautiful Escot Park plus plenty of activities for
children including circus acts.
Beautiful Days takes place at Escot Park, just off the A30 between Exeter and Honiton. Adult Weekend Camping Tickets are £65 but they have almost sold out!
Saturday or Sunday Day Tickets are £32.50 and there are discounted weekend and day tickets for children. Tickets are available from Solo Records, Exeter 01392 425309 / Escot 01404 822188 / www.seetickets.com / www.levellers.co.uk.
Tickets may be subject to a booking fee. Festival website: www.beautifuldays.org

SOUTHSEA FOLK 7& ROOTS FESTIVAL - AUGUST 26 - 30
Artists booked so far include Southsea  Amor, The Continentals, Martyn
Joseph,  The Crazy World Of Athur Brown, Magick Khat, Ezio, Amy Wadge, Aynsley Lister Band,  Andy Broad, and Stringybark McDowell.  See www.barkingspider.abelgratis.com/festival for full details

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.

BRIDGNORTH FOLK FESTIVAL, SHROPSHIRE - AUGUST 27-30
The great Chumawamba and Oysterband headline this festival which has concerts on 2 stages, a street festival, blues cafe, craft fair, workshops plus sessions on board the historic steam train and plenty of real ale and good food. There are also numerous dance outfits including Morris dancers and Appalachian and Cajun dance. Other folk artists on the bill include Rory McLeod, Brasshoppers, Last Night’s Fun, Christine Collister , Suntrap and about 30 more top acts.
More details to follow

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, PORTSMOUTH - SEPT 24 & 25
The line up this year is:
Fri 24th - Sherman Robertson & Bluesmove, Bad Influence, White Knuckle Blues Band
Sat 25th - Cadillac Kings, The Blackjacks, This Way Up
For further details see www.bluesatthefort.com

Looking for a different festival? Click here for our archive

Jeff Beck
Portsmouth Guildhall Portsmouth
Monday June 28

Iron Butterfly
The Brook Southampton Saturday June 19

Ezio
Talking Heads Southampton Saturday June 20

Drifters
Royal Victoria Country Park
Netley Abbey Sunday June 27

Tony Joe White Spyderfest Festival Dorset
Saturday June 26

Eric Bibb Pumpbottom Farm Chichester
Sunday June 27