Tag: The Young’uns

Our very own master of all things audio…Paul Johnson  talks to….Phil Beer – Honey and the bear – Guido Rincon – The Young’uns…..and the legend – Ralph Mc Tell whilst at this years 13th New Forest Folk Festival.

Hi Paul Johnson here .. and I must say I’ve had a few great years at the New forest Folk Festival – even the one where our old folking.com camper van had to be towed out from the side of the stage area by a very big tractor due to heavy rain!

But this year the weather was superb – the music enchantingly good and the friendly atmosphere and welcoming vibe from Nick and Keith Curtis and the Curtis family and all stewards and volunteers delightful as always.

I arrived at the Festival Thursday afternoon and as I was making my way slowly into the artists and guests camping area at 4.00PM… in our new (folking.com and Shanakee festival gig/tour wagon) I was brought to a halt as loads and loads of well what actually seemed like thousands, of people streamed out of the festival field heading off to their respective camps, camper vans and caravans for the afternoon break in music.

I only mention this because once I was set up, checked in and warmly welcomed by the office and Nick and Keith I made my way into the field on Thursday night and as my first delicious pint of Honey Blonde ale slid down my thirsty throat .. I soon realised there seemed to be a really nice comfortable nearly full field of happy festival goers! This was confirmed to me on the following wonderful days and nights of great music and great company  because this years festival looked full, busier, than ever a great maximum crowd but still as comfortable as ever.

I really would urge any one who has not yet been to this wonderful ‘Little Festival with the big names’ to get tickets early for 2026 as it will sell out next year.. in fact thinking about it… actually no……don’t come!!!……..selfishly I would really like to keep this magical little festival the best kept secret of the summer festival world!!

I was even invited so kindly in to Nick and Keith’s dinning room for my interview with the legend Ralph Mc Tell’

What follows is my humble attempt to bring you just a little of the New Forest folk festivals amazing vibe and atmosphere with a handful of audio interviews / mini pod casts for your listening pleasure.

So pour yourself a nice tea, coffee, or cold drink, or even a nice beer wine or what ever is your tipple… relax and have a listen to some interviews with some equally lovely people that I did at the New Forest Folk Festival 2025 including some hot off the press news about ex ‘Shave the Monkey’ founder member (if any one know of that fab band and if not please look em up) Guido Rincon and his new band and album ‘Rincon and co’ our now!

Finally, by the way… for me personally and thousands of others who I know are eagerly awaiting this interview – the thing that made my weekend … my New Forest Folk Festival exclusive if ya like!… my emotional chat in Nick and Keith’s house to the legend Ralph Mc Tell about grief, health scares, dying, music and the world…… don’t worry its not depressing !!

Cheers! See ya there next year.

So…. what better way to open this feature. I was very kindly invited in to Nick and Keith’s dining room for my interview with this legend Ralph Mc Tell.

Now I’ve spoken to Ralph many times over the years on my radio shows and on folking.com – Ralph even came to one of my many radio stations I’ve been lucky enough to have shows on or ‘part owned’ owned in past.  I was working on one such station many moons ago called ‘Millennium FM / RTM in South East London and invited Ralph on – he came, along with his guitar, we chatted  about life in general at the time and he sang ‘Hiring Fair’ in front of me and ‘Streets of London’ live on air – an experience I’ve never forgotten and never will. We’ve chatted further over the years in different stages of Ralph life – but its been a few years since I’ve chatted to this lovely man – so I was delighted to get an ‘exclusive’ New Forest folk festival chat to Ralph. An emotional and candid chat about where Ralph is today, how he views life and his music and the folk music world in general following a couple of really tough years… enjoy..

Next….a classic folking.com ludicrously funny chat with The Young’uns! ..Well I for some reason thought, I was going to have a sensible in depth chat to these three guys – er ..no! …..enjoy!!

Next…Burgers and Beer!  – I disturb a burger munching Phil Beer to talk about every thing in the world of the ever in demand Phil Beer…

Next ..a sunny afternoon delight to talk to Honey And The Bear …

Finally ..

Catching up with my old friend,  with a dodgy selfie! …who’s old band ‘Shave The Monkey’ I’ve been a lover and a promoter of for far to many years to remember  … now his back with a new band, Rincon and Co. new outlook, new energy and a great new album called ‘Running Waters’ –  here’s what he had to say …

 

Festival website: https://www.newforestfolkfestival.co.uk/