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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!

WINCHESTER MAYFEST – MAY 15 – 18
A celebration of traditional and contemporary music, song and dance around the city. Artists appearing include Tom Bliss, Jackie Oates & James Dumbleton, Louche Manouche and Mary Jane.
See www.winchestermayfest.co.uk  for full details.

CHIPPENHAM FOLK FESTIVAL, WILTSHIRE – MAY 23 – 26
Artists confirmed so far include Solas, Tanglefoot, Cloudstreet, GraceNotes and Jeff Warner.
See www.chippfolk.co.uk  for more details

SALISBURY INTERNATIONAL ARTS FESTIVAL – MAY 23 – JUNE 8
Events at many venues around Salisbury including City Hall, Salisbury Arts Centre etc. Artists include Laurie Anderson, The Kings Singers, The Brodsky Quartet, Acoustic Triangle, Kissmet and many more. Not just music – talks, dance, theatre, comedy etc. See www.salisburyfestival.co.uk .

WYCHWOOD FESTIVAL, MAY 30 – JUNE 1
Early confirmations include Kate Rusby, The Blockheads featuring Phil Jupitus, The Imagined Village, Piney Gir, Palladium, The Proclaimers and The Epstein. See www.wychwoodfestival.com  for more information.

WESSEX FOLK FESTIVAL, WEYMOUTH – JUNE 6 – 8
Taking place around Hope Square and The Old Harbour, and already some great acts have been booked including Last Night’s Fun and Dick Gaughan. See www.wessexfolkfestival.co.uk  for more details.

WIMBORNE FOLK FESTIVAL – JUNE 13 – 15
Artists already booked include Grada, Boo Hewerdine, Colvin Quarmby, Diskan, Tinderbox, Cruel Folk and Les Barker. See www.wimbornefolkfestival.co.uk

ISLE OF WIGHT FESTIVAL – JUNE 13 – 15 – SOLD OUT!
As this blockbuster of a festival is limited to 50,000 tickets it is already sold out. But if you are crazy enough to pay ticket touts extorted prices you may still be able to see The Police, The Sex Pistols, The Kaiser Chiefs and many
other top acts. Keep an eye on www.isleofwightfestival.com  for news of ticket cancellations.

BLUES ON THE FARM, APPLEDRAM, NR CHICHESTER – JUNE 19 – 22
Already booked are Innes Sibun, Aynsley Lister, Albert Lee & Hogan’s Heroes and Errol Linton’s Blues Vibe with lots more to come. Have a look at www.pumpbottomfarm.co.uk  for more details.

TEIGNMOUTH FOLK FESTIVAL, DEVON – JUNE 20 – 22
Artists confirmed so far include Malinky, Wistman’s Wood, The Mrs Ackroyd Band, Alison Younger and Chris Turner.
See www.teignmouthfolk.co.uk . for more info

GLASTONBURY FESTIVAL – JUNE 27 – 29
Names announced so far include Leonard Cohen, Goldfrapp, The Verve, Jimmy Cliff, Kings of Leon – many more – see
www.glastonburyfestivals.co.uk

GUILDFORD FESTIVAL – JULY 4 – 6
Acts announced so far include Blondie, The Levellers, Austrailan Pink Floyd, Kula Shaker, Bowling For Soup & Cerys Matthews.see www.guilfest.co.uk

SAUL CANAL FESTIVAL, GLOUCESTERSHIRE – JULY 4 – 6
Artists appearing include Oysterband, Show Of Hands, Ruth Notman, Horses Brawl, Zoox, Kevin Brown, Railroad Bill & Jackie Oates See www.junctionevents.org.uk  for full lineup.

FROME FESTIVAL – JULY 4 – 13
Details to be announced soon. See www.fromefestival.co.uk

GILLINGHAM FESTIVAL, DORSET – JULY 5 – 20
Artists announced so far include Elkie Brooks, Geno Washington & The Ram Jam Band, The Rat Pack and The Rolling Clones. See www.gillinghamfestival.org.uk  for full details.

ROMSEY BEGGARS FAIR – JULY 11 – 12
Music at various venues around the town. Artists include Johnny Jet, Carlos Rocha, Captain Drivers Delight, Contraband, Black Bart & State of Undres..See www. www.beggarsfair.com  for full lineup.

PRIDDY FOLK FESTIVAL, SOMERSET – JULY 11 – 13
Lineup includes Last Night’s Fun, Mike Silver & Johnny Coppin, Nancy Kerr & James Fagin, Wizz Jones, Seize The Day and Lisa Knapp.see www.priddyfolk.org .

DARE 2 FESTIVAL, TOLLARD ROYAL – JULY 12 & 13
A chance to dance, sing, bang a drum, ride a unicycle, score a goal and many other activities. Music too, with Melodica, Melody & Me, The Yearning, Atlantico and many more artists. See www.dare2festival.co.uk  for more
Details.

LARMER TREE FESTIVAL, TOLLARD ROYAL - JULY 16 – 20
Tickets are selling quickly for this popular festival. Artists announced so far include Eric Bibb, Jools Holland’s Rhythm & Blues Orchestra, The Levellers, Bellowhead, Park Bench Social Club, Kate Rusby, Julie Fowlis, 3 Daft Monkeys, Black Bart and Smerin’s Anti-Social Club.For more details see www.larmertreefestival.co.uk

TOLPUDDLE MARTYRS FESTIVAL – JULY 18 – 20
Artists booked so far include The Mauves, Aidan Jolly, The Flatville Aces, Bedouin Jerry Can Band, The Tones and Seize The Day. See www.tuc.org.uk  for more details.

MELA FESTIVAL, SOUTHAMPTON – JULY 19
Happening in Hoglands Park:
Live music and dance on the main stage, with styles ranging form South Asian, Classical, Folk, World Music, Asian Fusion etc. Plus workshops and demonstrations in music & dance, arts & crafts activities, funfair plus many
stalls varying from ethinic clothes and accessories, beauty items, food and much more.

TROWBRIDGE FESTIVAL – JULY 24 – 27
Artists booked so far include Don McLean, Richard Thompson, Alabama e, Andy Fairweather Low, Oysterband, Show Of Hands, Cara Dillon & Jackie Leven. www.trowbridgefestival.co.uk

EVOLVE FESTIVAL, WEYMOUTH – JULY 25 – 26
Happening at Lodmoor Park. Artists include Show Of Hands, Lou Rhodes, 3 Daft Monkeys & Kerfuffle.
See www.evolvefestival.co.uk

WOMAD FESTIVAL, CHARLTON PARK,MALMESBURY, WILTSHIRE – JULY 25 – 27
Artists appearing include Ben Taylor, Baaba Maal, Balkan Beat Box & Candi Staton.
See www.festivalnews.co.uk  for more information.

GLOUCESTER INTERNATIONAL RHYTHM & BLUES FESTIVAL – JULY 26 – AUGUST 3
A huge lineup includes Sherman Robertson & Bluesmove, Sons Of The Delta, The Animals, The Holmes Brothers, Spank The Monkey & many more acts. See www.gloucesterblues.co.uk  for full lineup.

STOKES BAY FESTIVAL, HAMPSHIRE – JULY 31 – AUGUST 3
Artists booked so far include:
The Blues Band, The Saw Doctors, Dick Gaughan, Capercaillie, Show Of Hands, Phil Jupitus & The Blockheads, Bellowhead, Huun Huur-Tu, Kent Du Chaine, Martyn Joseph, The Levellers, Glenn Tilbrook & The Fluffers.
See www.stokesbayfestival.co.uk  for full lineup

SIDMOUTH FOLK WEEK – AUGUST 1 – 8
A host of top acts have already been booked including Dick Gaughan, Kathryn Tickell, The Poozies, Karen Tweed, Sid Kipper, The New Rope String Band and Quicksilver. See www.sidmouthfolkweek.co.uk  for full list.

CROPREDY CONVENTION, OXFORDSHIRE – AUGUST 7 – 9
Fairport Convention’s annual folkfest – lineup includes Whapweasel, The Gathering, Stackridge, The Family Mahone, Joe Brown, Dave Edmunds, Levellers, Richard Digance, Midge Ure & The Muffinmen.
See www.fairportconvention.com  for more details.

ENDORSE IT IN DORSET FESTIVAL, SIXPENNY HANDLEY – AUGUST 8 – 10
Artists include Pronghorn, Cropdusters, Highliners, Dreadzone, Subgiant and The Beat. See www.igfestivals.com  for more details.

DARTMOOR FOLK FESTIVAL, SOUTH ZEAL, OKEHAMPTON, DEVON – AUGUST 8 - 10
Details to follow

BIDEFORD FOLK FESTIVAL, DEVON – AUGUST 11 – 17
Already booked for this year’s festival are: Isambarde, Dambuskers, Les Barker, Late Lissauer & The Buffalo Girls, and Roger Bryant. Many more acts on www.bidefordfolkfestival.co.uk

BEAUTIFUL DAYS, ESCOT PARK, OTTERY ST MARY, DEVON – AUGUST 15 - 17
Artists announced so far include Squeeze, Supergrass, The Levellers & Alabama 3.
See www.beautifuldays.org  for more details.

SOUTHSEA FOLK & ROOTS FESTIVAL – AUGUST 22 – 25
Artists booked so far include Amy Wadge, Little Johnny England, The Men They Couldn’t Hang, Mike Sanchez & The Portions. See www.barkingspider.abelgratis.com/festival  for more info

WADEBRIDGE FOLK FESTIVAL, CORNWALL – AUGUST 22 – 25
Details to follow

BURNHAM ON SEA FOLKFEST – AUGUST 29 – 31
Details to follow

WALLINGFORD BUNKFEST, OXFORDSHIRE – AUGUST 29 – 31
Details to follow

WAREHAM WAIL, VERWOOD, DORSET – AUGUST 29 - 31
Details to follow

BESTIVAL, ROBIN HILL COUNTRY PARK, ISLE OF WIGHT – SEPT 5 – 7
My Bloody Valentine head the festival – full lineup to be announced soon.
See www.bestival.net  for more details.

SWANAGE FOLK FESTIVAL – SEPTEMBER 5 – 7
Artists announced so far include Dave Pegg & PJ Wright, Mad Agnes, New Scorpion Band and Little Johnny England. See www.swanagefestival.co.uk

NORTH DEVON FOLK FESTIVAL, ILFRACOMBE – SEPTEMBER 5 – 7
Details to follow

END OF THE ROAD FESTIVAL, TOLLAR ROYAL – SEPTEMBER 12 – 14
Details to follow

BLUES AT THE FORT, FORT PURBROOK, PORTSMOUTH – SEPTEMBER 19 & 20
Details to follow

ISLE OF WIGHT FOLK & BLUES FESTIVAL, VENTNOR – SEPTEMBER 19 – 21
Details to follow

CORNISH BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL, NEWQUAY – SEPTEMBER 19 – 21
Details to follow

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Featured artists:
see POL Articles

 
JOE LEAN &
THE JIN JAN JONG, WEDGEWOOD ROOMS, PORTSMOUTH SUNDAY MAY 25


DENNIS ROLLINS SALISBURY CITY HALL,
TUE MAY 29


TCHA LIMBERGER’S HUNGARIAN BAND TURNER SIMS CONCERT HALL, SOUTHAMPTON SUNDAY MAY 18


PLUCK
SALISBURY ARTS CENTRE,
FRIDAY MAY 30
& FOREST ARTS CENTRE,
NEW MILTON, SATURDAY MAY 31


PARK BENCH SOCIAL CLUB ASHCROFT ARTS CENTRE,
FAREHAM SATURDAY MAY 31


ANDY MCKEE
THE BROOK, SOUTHAMPTON SUNDAY MAY 25


JESSE SYKES & PHIL WANDSCHER RAILWAY INN, WINCHESTER SUNDAY MAY 11