The centrepiece of concerts at the festival, the Ham Marquee provides a comfortable seated-venue for three first class concerts each day. Lunchtime Concerts included in Week, Weekend and Day tickets will feature:
Saturday 4th August – 12.00 Opening Welcome Concert
Featuring Pete Coe, Outside Capering Crew, Halsway Young Folk, Sidmouth Town Band (Free to all).
Sunday 5th August – 12.00 National Youth Folk Ensemble plus Jack Rutter
Celebrating excellence in youth folk music, this exciting ensemble bringing together talented young folk musicians from across England to create and perform inspiring new arrangements of folk music. Working under the expert tuition and guidance of Sam Sweeney, Artistic Director 2016-19, and a team of leading folk artist-educator, the NYFE project nurture young players’ talents, aspirations and creativity, enabling them to develop into the folk performers, educators and leaders of the future. And they are brilliant!
Plus Jack Rutter, captivating Sheffield-based folk singer, guitarist and multi-instrumentalist. ‘’Jack Rutter’s new record feels like one of the classic folk albums of the 70s.’ Jon Boden
Monday 6th August – 12.00 The Emily Askew Band plus Matt Quinn
Their new CD showcases a thrilling collaboration where medieval and folk worlds collide! Emily – who plays fiddle, vielle, shawm, bagpipes, recorders and medieval harp – brings together her folk and early music experience to explore the possibilities of mixing these unusual sounds with modern instruments. The band features singer/guitarist/fiddler Jamie Roberts, fiddler/viola d’amore playing John Dipper and percussionist Simon Whittaker.
Plus Matt Quinn, renowned folk singer, melodeon and concertina player from Sussex.
Tuesday 7th August -12.00 Jackie Oates plus Cohen Braithwaite-Kilcoyne
Fiddle-singer Jackie Oates’ unique treatment of English ballads and songs, and pure, haunting vocal style, have established her at the forefront of the new English folk revival.
Plus Folk Awards nominated singer, melodeon and Anglo- Concertina player Cohen Braithwaite-Kilcoyne.
Wednesday 8th August – 12.00 John Doyle plus Jacquelyn Hynes Trio
Grammy nominated Irish multi- instrumentalist, singer, songwriter John Doyle is held up as one of the best guitarists in Irish traditional music.
Plus gifted and innovative flautist-led Jacquelyn Hynes Trio.
Thursday 9th August – 12.00 Whapweasel 21st Anniversary Concert
Popular and renowned folk dance band Whapweasel bring us a concert set in celebration of their 21st anniversary. Over that time, the solid eight piece have notched up six albums of enthralling, turbo-charged dance music, the most recent also featuring a sprinkling of songs.
Friday 10th August – 12.00 Grand Workshop Showcase
A chance to see the fruits of some of the week’s workshops.