‘Warwick Folk Festival’ to celebrate its 35th year!
The highly successful and popular Warwick Folk Festival will celebrate its 35th year when it returns to Warwick School this summer. The Festival, which brings together leading names from around the world for a 4-day music and dance extravaganza, will take place from Thursday 24 - Sunday 27 July. The Festival’s unique programme has something for everyone from dedicated folk fans to music lovers who are discovering that ‘folk’ covers a wide range of tastes and styles including blues, rock, country and funk.
This year’s headline acts include Richard Thompson, named by Rolling Stone Magazine as one of the ‘Top 20 Guitarists of All Time’ and also one of the world’s most critically acclaimed and prolific songwriters, Breabach who were nominated for ‘Best Band’ at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards and John Tams & Barry Coope. John is one of the country’s leading songwriters and best known for his work at the National Theatre for ‘War Horse’ and as Rifleman Daniel Hagman in the television series ‘Sharpe’ plus 6 times winner of the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards whilst Barry is a widely respected singer and keyboard player. Other headline acts include Habadekuk, one of Denmark’s leading folk bands, Gordie MacKeeman & his Rhythm Boys, a top Canadian band plus local lad Will Pound, recently nominated for Best Musician at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards and seen performing in February on BBC Breakfast.
The packed programme of over 130 events offers a huge choice of concerts, ceilidhs, workshops, a crafts and music fair and the return of Panic Circus for all the family to enjoy. Plus there’s a vast array of colourful dance displays, pub music sessions and open air concerts in the historic town centre. Colourful and charismatic dance sides will fill the streets of Warwick with styles from all over England. In addition Spelmän and Dansare på Dal, 21 dancers and 14 musicians from Sweden will perform to the crowds.
During January the Festival held a public vote to decide who should open the highly acclaimed Saturday night concert. The winner was Kim Lowings and the Greenwood. Folk singer & songwriter Kim fronts the collective of musicians called The Greenwood. Based in Stourbridge in the West Midlands, they play a mix of contemporary, original and traditional folk song.
Dick Dixon, Festival Director stated “We’re delighted to be celebrating our 35th year. Each year the Festival goes from strength to strength. Last year’s event was an outstanding success but our 2014 Festival looks set to beat all records. We’re overjoyed to have attracted so many headline acts and look forward to watching Kim Lowings and the Greenwood perform on the Saturday night. The Festival has something for everyone and not just big folk music fans. With so many exciting events, activities and entertainment taking place, the Festival promises to be a superb fun-filled 4 day weekend of first-class entertainment to suit all tastes and ages”.
Early bird tickets cost from £82 and there is a pay half now/half later offer plus group deals available until the end of April. Choose from Friday – Sunday tickets, Thursday – Sunday tickets or just visit for the day, plus under 10s go free! Tickets can be booked online and over the phone at the Bridge House Theatre Box Office. For more information, visit warwickfolkfestival.co.uk.
