Purbeck Folk Festival is based on a little sheep farm on the beautiful Jurassic coast of Dorset. Now in its fourth year the festival continues to draw people back year after year and the attraction, besides a great line-up, is it is “how festivals used to be” – every year I hear people telling me that they have stopped going to a festival because it has ‘changed’ or has got too big and lost its charm. It is at the smaller festivals where the creative spirit is greatest, it is these festivals that I am hearing more about. Purbeck Folk Festival is one that I heard about last year and the attraction is obvious:
It’s friendly, great for kids and adults alike, and small enough to be able to wander around and not lose your friends! There are three big barns, used for stages and the bar, which mean that you’re dry if it rains, but there’s a big grassy bank to sit on in the sunshine.
Purbeck Folk Festival covers the broader definition of folk music and you can hear music from all around the world; some deep and meaningful, some get up and jump around. There’s something for everyone’s musical taste. There’s now a tradition of giving the young ones a chance – the line-up always features finalists from Radio 2’s young folk awards, and the best, vibrant young national and internationally known artists as well as a few oldies and the best of Dorset’s local music scene. And after last year’s amazing knees up, Saturday evening hosts another barn dance.
The overall festival atmosphere is fantastic and this year sees Purbecks fringe events growing with even more workshops and crafts throughout the day for adults and folk kids! There is also going to be a great line-up including: Shooglenifty, KT Tunstall, The Destroyers (pictured above), Larkin Poe, Rory McLeod & The Familiar Strangers, Hat Fitz & Cara Robinson, Gilmore:Roberts, Old Man Luedecke, Harpeth Rising, The Old Dance School & lots more (see below).
Line-up
Friday |
Saturday |
Sunday |
|
Shooglenifty |
KT Tunstall |
The Destroyers |
|
Larkin Poe |
Rory McLeod & The Familiar Strangers |
The Monster Ceilidh Band |
|
Hat Fitz &Cara Robinson |
Gilmore:Roberts |
Tyde |
|
Old Man Luedecke |
Harpeth Rising |
The Old Dance School |
|
More Like Trees |
The Moulettes |
Jack McNeill & Charlie Heys |
|
Djambo |
The Jaywalkers |
The Jaywalkers |
|
Pete Christie |
Roving Crows |
Yirdbards |
|
Mischa |
Niall Teague & Fast Company |
Katie & Yazzie |
|
Jason Hinchey |
Jack McNeill & Charlie Heys |
Chris Simmons |
|
Kat Hurdley & Alex Percy |
Yirdbards |
Penny Red |
|
Glenn Ross |
Polly Barrett |
Phil King |
|
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Dorset Ceilidh Band |
Holika |
|
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Andrew Scott |
Owl in the Sun |
|
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Catherine Burke Band |
Fearne |
|
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Quinns Quinney |
Freeway Poets |
|
|
Willowen |
Paper Shades |
|
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Krista Green |
Thirsty Man |
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Aimee McKenzie |
Pachango |
|
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Ant Lewis |
Jess Vincent |
|
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The Portraits |
Bob Fletcher |
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Mother Ukers |
Andy Stock |
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Owl in the Sun |
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Emily Kraemer |
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Fearne |
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The Widowmaker |
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Chris Woodford |
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Pete Christie |
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The Devil’s Rejects |
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