Unsung folk heroes – The New Forest Folk Festival 2026 previewed by Paul Johnson

SOME ‘INNER WORKINGS’ OF A GREAT LITTLE FESTIVAL

WITH THE BIG NAMES

OUR VERY OWN PAUL JOHNSON LOOKS FORWARD TO ANOTHER STUNNING

YEAR FOR THE NEW FOREST FOLK FESTIVAL 2026

2026…Info……

My my I can’t believe it’s that time of year again where the UK’s music festivals all start filling our calendars. Approaching fast are the Summer 2026 folk festival line ups that offer us a packed schedule, highlighted by the return of the Cambridge Folk Festival Aug 1–2. Also Warwick Folk Festival July 23–26, and Shrewsbury Folk Festival Aug 28–31, Fairport’s Cropredy 13th 14th 15th August Major summer events also include Wickham Festival July 30–Aug 2 Belladrum Tartan Heart July 30–Aug 1 and specialized events like the South Downs Folk Festival in September to name but a few…..

But now to one of the best…. the lovely and quite brilliant New Forest folk festival….and one festival that I’d highly recommend if you have not tried it yet

In this pre-festival podcast I talk to some of the ‘unsung heroes’ from behind the scenes of the New Forest folk festival – the people that make the magic happen.

The sound man, the lighting guy and the stage manager & compare…..
I’m so pleased to announce that folking.com will be at The New Forest Folk festival again this year – bringing you the ambiance, and vibe with our usual back stage light hearted and informative audio interviews from the 1st to the 5th of July, so come and find us and say hello.

So with no further ado – welcome to my New Forest folk festival preview podcast. So I was thinking… for this year we thought its high time we spoke some of the the ‘unsung heroes’ of the New Forest folk festival. The people behind the scenes that make it ebb and flow and tick along in perfect harmony.  So have you ever wondered what makes it tick? Well in case you were… Below you’ll find some interviews this year with the Stage Manager, The compare, The brilliant sound guy, and the stunning lighting effects chap… that together create the New Forest folk festival magic!

So sit back and enjoy our pre festival podcast….

So to that man who we all love to listen to with his loud and clear introductions of the acts – and the one who shuffles the acts about all weekend ensuring equipment, and the acts get on and off the stage with amazing ease! Mr Jesse Benns:

 

 

Light it up! Here I talk to lighting genius, broadcaster and all round decent fellow, that is Tony Lawler – about his role at the festival and some of his of his amazing career antidotes!

Last but no way least!  to the man who ensures what the artists play can be heard chrystal clear across the festival field through the brilliant sound system. The sound man legend that is Mr Paul Smith or as we affectionally call him

‘The man behind the desk’

 

 

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