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

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-festivai.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

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
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 brand new music festival comes to the Isle of Portland in Dorset this summer.  Spydafest highlights the best in Americana with a great headline act in the swamp-rock giant Tony Joe White.  Also appearing: The Long Ryders, The Sadies, Hot Club Of Cow Town,  Redland Palomino Co,  Barrelhouse Blues Orchestra, Peter Bruntnell Band, The Snakes,  Gordon Haskell & Astrid Williamson, with more quality names to come.   See www.spydalive.com for more details.

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
What a line-up!  Blondie, The Stranglers, The Damned, Simple Minds, UB40, Rickie Lee Jones, Ocean Colour Scene, Ian McNabb, The Saw Doctors, Rolf Harris, The Alarm and The Hamsters to name just a few.  See www.guilfest.co.uk

TOLDPUDDLE MARTYS FESTIVAL, DORSET - JULY 16 -18
This year’s Tolpuddle Martyrs’ Festival looks set to be the busiest and
liveliest for ages.
The range of music covers a huge spectrum and the speakers are a headline writers dream - the two Benns, Hilary and Tony. Singers and musicians appearing at the festival include Billy Bragg, the Oyster Band, Brendan Coker, Punjabi drummers The Dhol Blasters, and Cuban sounds from Havana group Asere.
See www.tolpuddlemartyrs.org.uk for full details.

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, Rolf Harris, Will Young, Eric Bibb, The SAS Band and John Sebastian of The Lovin’ Spoonful.
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

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 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, 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

Stacey Kent Concorde Club, Eastleigh
Tuesday May 25 Wednesday May 26

Peter Bruntnell
The Railway Inn, Winchester Thursday May 27

Eugene Bridges
Mr Kyps,
Poole
Friday May 21

Yat Kha
Salisbury City Hall, Salisbury
Sunday May 23

Michael Marra Talking Heads, Southampton Wednesday May 12 Tower Arts Centre, Winchester
Saturday May 15

Danu
Turner Sims, Southampton Thursday May 20