We’re looking forward to you joining us by the seaside in the first week of August for some serious festival fun. Sidmouth concert goers have some mighty shows to enjoy, with the superb value and ultimate freedom of an All in One Ticket giving access to all Ham evening concerts featuring the best in contemporary folk music. Newly announced artists include Maddy Prior & The Forgotten Lands who explore the possibilities of the human voice through original, trad. and a capella pieces; the innovative, hypnotic pipe-driven trio Brìghde Chaimbeul, Ross Ainslie & Steven Byrnes (featured below) and the powerhouse Eliza Carthy Trio joining previously announced Quebecois pioneers Le Vent du Nord; brass-lunged, big-hearted folk singers The Young ‘Uns; music and words from the South West coast path Saltlines (Gigspanner Big Band with Raynor Winn); the beguiling sounds of The Unthanks; a 10th anniversary celebration from English instrumental innovators Leveret; new voice Angeline Morrison with her vital explorations of traditional song; the exquisite vocal harmonies of Lady Maisery; exhilarating Scottish sounds from Breabach; one of the ultimate British songwriters John Tams and the livewire trad. stylings of McCusker McGoldrick Doyle and more.
Our celebrated Bulverton roots dance venue, the epicentre of upbeat dance parties and an atmospheric chilled out social space, is gearing up for a fantastic week lead by movers and shakers like Talisk, Skerryvore, Blackbeard’s Tea Party, Topette!!, Peat & Diesel & Seth Lakeman. A special Bulverton-In-One ticket (which includes camping) is your gateway to a week full of roots-based fun at the venue.
Other highlights in different areas of the festival throughout the week include American Callers Brooke Friendly & Will Mentor, tantalising tunes from new dance band Oscina, high octane ceilidhs from Relentless, Token Women, Out of Hand, Banter and more, global sounds from Mishra with sufi vocalist Deepa Nair Rasiya and Gambian Griot Suntou Susso, the return of Craft workshops at the Bulverton, Sandra Kerr’s much-loved Sidmouth Folk Choir and John Kirkpatrick’s ever popular Festival Concert Band, and a new Welsh music strand including Chamber Folk trio Vri and boundary-pushing triple harp player/singer Cerys Harfana.
There are always some very special shows woven into the week, and this year is no exception, with a dramatic presentation of sacred music, dances, and prayers, with traditional costumes and ceremonial masks by the Tibetan Buddhist monks from Tashi Lhunpo Monastery, the return of Chris Hoban & Sidmouth Town Band in 1918 – The Untold Stories Of The Great War, Reg Meuross & Cohen Braithwaite-Kilcoyne’s poignant Stolen from God, Lewis Wood’s Footwork – a celebration of English StepDancing, and The Folk Detectives – a hilarious new show from Matthew Crampton & Paul Hutchinson.
More artists, including In the Tradition guests, will be announced at the end of the month, alongside the day by day programme and the onsale launch of individual day season tickets. Keep checking the website for latest updates about the 2023 festival.
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