On August Bank Holiday the 50th Cornwall Folk Festival welcomes folk greats from across the UK and from the rich seam of musical ability in Cornwall and the Southwest.
Wadebridge, North Cornwall, has hosted the festival – which mixes traditional and contemporary Celtic and British folk – most years since 1972.
The town centre event runs over five days, with headline concerts, a dance, and multiple showcases of local talent.
Top Cornish ceilidh band KRELYS open on Thursday 24th August, with supergroup Gigspanner Big Band the following day. They combine a trio featuring ex-Steeleye Span violinist Peter Knight, the sublime vocals and Indian-tinged slide guitar of duo Edgelarks, and Bellowhead founder John Spiers. It’s a masterclass in morphing traditional ideas into thoughts with powerful resonance.
Saturday sees a different transformation of folk roots with the amazing Kinnaris Quintet. This all-female mix of violins, mandolin and guitar draws on the Scottish fiddle tradition, adding rock, classical and even hints of jazz to stunning effect.
It’s Seth Lakeman’s turn on Sunday. A huge voice on the modern scene, Seth has close links to the festival. He grew up musically playing at many a session there and is married to a Wadebridge girl!
Elsewhere catch the lush, chocolatey voice of Sarah McQuaid — who melds unorthodox songwriting, an engaging personality and brilliant musicianship – and Teyr, who create through voice, fiddle, uilleann pipes, guitar and accordion a vibrant and creative sound.
All main concerts have support acts including Seth’s dad Geoff Lakeman with Rob Murch, Our Atlantic Roots, Windjammer and Chris Ostler.
Daytime Saturday to Monday, the festival hangs outside at its FAR stage with back-to-back local acts, where proceedings close on Monday 28th with Padstow’s finest The Stowes. Elsewhere the town’s pubs, cafes and streets host a myriad of performers and dancers.
Tickets from www.CornwallFolkFestival.com/tickets
