FolkEast

The three day festival will return to the glorious 300-acre Suffolk estate of 16th-century Glemham Hall, the home of Major Philip Hope-Cobbold, between 16th-18th August 2019. 

And it will be packing a punch with Richard Thompson, Cara Dillon and Karine Polwart headlining. 

Keeping up the Celtic connection, the line-up will be enhanced by the  Ross Ainslie (Scottish bagpipes, whistles) and Jarlath Henderson Trio (uilleann pipes, whistles) whose combined talents create a pipe sound that pushes the boundaries of what Scottish and Irish instruments normally achieve. Dubbed “the new stars of Celtic music,” they’ve crafted music that bursts with fresh energy.

FolkEast is also thrilled to announce that the eloquent and exquisite English singer-songwriter/guitarist John Smith will join the 2019 line up. Born in Essex, raised by the Devon seaside, and kicking off in the bars and clubs of Liverpool, John has released six albums including his most recent Hummingbird, with over 10 million Spotify streams. His distinctive, gravelly voice has been heard by audiences all over the world in living rooms, festival tents and sold-out concert halls. Steeped in the lineage of British folk, taking his cue from Richard Thompson and John Martyn, Smith has evolved a transatlantic blend of fingerstyle and slide guitar techniques and a repertoire of up close, no hiding place songs. He has opened for folk greats including John Martyn, Davy Graham and John Renbourn, who called Smith “the future of folk music”.

 

Flying the flag for Wales will be the effervescent five-piece revivalist traditional band Calan, who sing in both Welsh and English.The band formed in early 2006 when its members ages ranged from just 13 to 22. In 2008, they created great excitement at the Inter Celtic Festival, becoming the only Welsh band to win the coveted international folk band award. They also won best group at the Festival Interceltique de Lorient, Brittany. Playing accordion, harp, guitar, fiddle and Welsh bagpipes, they also have their own champion step dancer.

Advance weekend tickets are available price £120(adult), £108 (full-time students, senior citizens) and £80 for Youth tickets (12-17-year-olds) which must be purchased with an adult ticket. Family weekend tickets for two adults and two 12-17-year-olds are £365. A great offer sees free admission for children aged 11 and under; camping is £30 per tent with a £30 charge for campervans and caravans.

Located close to the A12 (from where the famous FolkEast decorated tree can be seen), the festival will also be running shuttle buses to the site from Wickham Market station.