- Other headliners include Jon Wilks, Natalie Wildgoose, Alan Power & The Take Twos, and Les Caravanes
- To feature a new tent, The Garden Stage, as well as ancient craft workshops and market
- The festival is part of a broader folk revival among younger audiences
The Late Spring Folk Festival is a one-day live music event bringing together local communities, artists and families to celebrate musical innovation, good food and ancient crafts rooted in the world of folk at the eve of summer. Starting as a small event in a pub thrown by folk band Dead Pages in 2022, it has since expanded into a nearly one-thousand capacity event across multiple stages, featuring a packed-out lineup with big names from the contemporary folk scene alongside emerging artists, a new ancient craft market, and traditional workshops & demonstrations for all ages throughout the day. Previous headliners include Goblin Band, Brothers Gillespie, Nick Hart, Spitzer Space Telescope, and Maddie Ashman.
Headliners include Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Olivia Chaney, whose version of the traditional song ‘Dark Eyed Sailor’ was a highlight of Emerald Fennell’s “Wuthering Heights”. She is joined by headliner Jon Wilks, a celebrated folk singer, songwriter and guitarist, who has earned praise from the likes of Martin Carthy and Martin Simpson, as well as The Guardian and the Quietus.
Other acts topping the bill are Alan Power & The Take Twos, bringing their high-energy, cowboy country that has seen them appear in Vogue and receive kudos from Bob Geldof and Alexa Chung. They are joined by ghostly lo-fi folk artist Natalie Wildgoose, and travelling trad-folk rock band Les Caravanes, Irish folk band The Ocelots, celebrated musician and English clog dancer Hannah James, and the “emotionally transatlantic” folk singer Elanor Moss.
The lineup showcases the eclecticism of the folk genre – bringing together traditional and contemporary music from across the UK, Ireland and beyond. This includes Appalachian folk reclaimers The Pegwells, Denver-based orchestral indie-folk project Morning Bear, Scottish clàrsach player Anna McLuckie, folk soul singer Ella Clayton, Britannica troubadour Gus White, as well as Sweet Giant, Frankie Morrow, Samuel Austin and many more emerging acts.
The festival celebrates folk music and culture, fostering community and connection while offering an antidote to hyper-commercial events. Last year attracted an audience predominantly made up of under-40s, highlighting the genres’ growing appeal with younger generations and also reflecting a wider appetite to reconnect with folk culture.
New additions for this year include The Garden Stage, independent food vendors, an ancient crafts market, and a dedicated tent for talks and activities. Attendees can participate in workshops such as mosaic making, basket weaving, pottery, and corn dollying – traditions kept alive by only a handful of dedicated artisans.
Olivia Chaney, Late Spring Folk Festival headliner, said: “I am delighted to be playing this year’s event alongside friends and new names on the folk scene. As a burgeoning grassroots festival that champions folk music and culture, it is vital that we support independent events like this. It promises to be a magical day — so get your tickets quick!”
Sam Guinness, Director and co-organiser of Late Spring Folk Festival, commented: “I can’t believe the talent we’ve managed to attract to our growing festival. It feels like people are starting to take notice of what we’re creating. We’ve been doing a lot of work behind the scenes to build on the success of last year’s edition, and people are in for some big surprises this year.”
With tickets currently available at £45 (+ booking fee), a camping option on offer and reduced tickets for young people aged 12-16 for £15 (+ booking fee), the Late Spring Folk Festival is set to be an amazing day of music, culture, and community for all ages. Buy tickets here
Festival website: https://latespringfolkfestival.co.uk/
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