May 10-26
Norfolk & Norwich Festival
Various locations, Norfolk
www.nnfestival.org.uk
248 and nowhere near out
As the Norfolk & Norwich Festival edges its way towards the quarter-millennium mark, you just know that it must be doing something right. As an all-around arts festival, you’re as likely to see book talks and circus performances as you are theatre shows and films, and music is of course a huge part of it. Songlines readers are most likely to get excited at the prospect of performances by artists such as Afriquoi and Liniker e os Caramelows, plus the recently reformed Las Maravillas de Mali and father-daughter duos Eliza and Martin Carthy, and Anandi and Debashish Bhattacharya.
May 23-26
Knockengorroch World Ceilidh
Knockengorroch, Dumfries and Galloway
www.knockengorroch.org.uk
You can’t Knock it
Every year, some of the world’s most accomplished musicians head to the hills of south-west Scotland for a righteous celebration of people, culture and the Knockengorroch’s beautiful surroundings. Joining the party this year are poet of the people Benjamin Zephaniah with reggae band The Revolutionary Minds, the spectacular Mugenkyo Taiko Drummers, Haitian voodoo blues priestess Moonlight Benjamin and Basque folk band Korrontzi. The theme for this year’s festival is ‘at the end of the rainbow’: open your mind and body to love, hope, diversity and unity, and maybe even a bit of magic…
May 23-26
Orkney Folk Festival
Various locations, Orkney
www.orkneyfolkfestival.com
Islands of sound
There’s something thrilling about island-based festivals, and the Orkney Folk Festival is no exception, as Orkney becomes flooded with the best traditional music from Scotland and beyond. The line-up includes famed folkies such as Julie Fowlis and Cara Dillon, young stars-in-waiting such as Ryan Young & Jenn Butterworth and Lyra, and the occasionally unexpected artist such as the UK’s premier son Cubano group, Son Yambu. The festival is especially known for its many pub sessions, open mics and sing-a-rounds, for everyone to join in the folky fun.
May 24-26
Góbé Fest
Albert Square, Manchester
www.gobefest.com
From Transylvania to Manchester, it’s time to party like a Hungarian
The UK is home to people of all nations, as well as many communities of minority cultures who take strong pride in expressing their traditions. One of these groups is the Székler – ethnic Hungarians from the region of Transylvania in Romania – and a festival celebrating their heritage, Góbé Fest, is fast becoming one of the most important in Manchester’s calendar. The festival focuses mostly on zene és tánc (that is, music and dance) of all sorts, from Székler folkloric group Maros Ensemble and zither innovator Krajcsó Bence to the Romanian Celtic punk band The Selfish Murphy and Balkan ska group Laszlo Baby.
June 22-23
Africa Oyé
Sefton Park, Liverpool, Merseyside
www.africaoye.com
Africans and Scousers – the perfect mix
Returning for its 27th year, Africa Oyé is a true Liverpool institution. For two days in midsummer, the festival brings the best in music and food from all across Africa and the African-influenced Americas with a uniquely Scouse joie de vivre; it’s not summer without Africa Oyé. And even better: entrance is completely free, giving everything a real community atmosphere. At the time of writing, Oyé only has a handful of artists, but those names are already enough to get you dancing in anticipation, with groups such as BCUC (South Africa), Sofiane Saidi & Mazalda (Algeria) and Oshun (USA) on the bill.
June 26-30
Glastonbury
Worthy Farm, Pilton, Somerset
www.glastonburyfestivals.co.uk
It’s big, it’s back and it’s bonkers
To call Glastonbury ‘the big one’ is still somehow underselling it. This festival is huge and rightly known around the world as an international centre of amazing music of almost literally every genre – whatever your niche musical taste, there’s a good chance you will be able to enjoy it at Glastonbury. Although the festival’s world music line-up is a little under-represented in the first announcement (confirmed names include Fatoumata Diawara, BCUC and Sons of Kemet), you can be sure that there will be many, many more exciting names to come.
July 2-14
Flamenco Festival London
Sadler’s Wells, London
www.flamencofestival.org
The flamenco passion warms up summer
Based in New York, Flamenco Festival has held editions in more than 100 cities around the world, and it has been an important part of London’s cultural scene for more than 15 years. The festival is focused on all things flamenco, from the traditional music and dance to explorations of the style with classical music, jazz and more. An especially intriguing prospect comes in the form of the Amir ElSaffar ensemble, who mix flamenco with Iraqi maqam. Previously held in February, the festival will heat up Sadler’s Wells in July for the first time in 2019.
July 12-14
Tropical Pressure
Mount Pleasant Eco Park, Porthtowan, Cornwall
www.tropicalpressure.co.uk
Pressure never felt this good
Set on an idyllic farm in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, just a short walk from the beach, there may be no more relaxing location to dance your socks off than at Tropical Pressure. During the day, live music from across Africa, South America and the Caribbean gets you in the tropical mindset, before the late-night zones open for continued partying in UFO clubs, cocktail bars and silent discos, or perhaps for extended chill-out sessions around the campfire.
July 14
Folk by the Oak
Hatfield House, Hatfield, Hertfordshire
www.folkbytheoak.com
A grand day out
One day, two stages, and just a whole load of great music. Folk by the Oak is only 20-something miles out of London, but it might as well be on the other side of the world. Set in the grounds of Hatfield House, this festival has the vibe of a village fayre but with world-class musicians instead of dodgy amateur choirs. One of the highlights is sure to be the specially commissioned musical companion to the The Lost Words by Robert Macfarlane and Jackie Morris, featuring artists such as Karine Polwart, Julie Fowlis, Seckou Keita and Rachel Newton.
July 17-20
HebCelt
Stornoway, Isle of Lewis
www.hebceltfest.com
Celtic folk celebration
HebCelt shines a light on all things Celtic, and its line-up is heavy with folk-slanted acts from the Hebrides, Scotland and further afield. The main bulk of the festival takes place in the stunning arena, looking down from Stornoway’s castle onto the harbour, but there are also programmes in venues across the town and the Isle. Don’t forget the late-night ceilidhs, pub sessions and club nights that take place throughout the festival to keep the Celtic vibes going on well into the next day.
July 18-21
Larmer Tree Festival
Larmer Tree Gardens, Wiltshire
www.larmertreefestival.co.uk
Party with the peacocks and move with the macaws
Set among the lawns and woods of the Larmer Tree Gardens, with a Victorian-era stage and smatterings of peacocks and macaws, Larmer Tree Festival is as well-known for its beautiful location as its music. Together they add up to an extremely agreeable weekend! The music on offer is a mix of folk, jazz, reggae and pop as well as plenty of internationally-inclined artists such as Melt Yourself Down, KOKOROKO and recent Songlines cover star Blick Bassy.
July 25-28
WOMAD
Charlton Park, Malmesbury, Wiltshire
www.womad.co.uk
The grand dame of world music festivals does it again
The World of Music, Arts and Dance is still probably the best place to experience the highest square-footage of the world’s culture in just one weekend. As usual, WOMAD presents a wonderful mix of both superstars (Salif Keita, Orbital, Ziggy Marley) and the little known: from the ancient traditions of South Asian surti music from Ustad Saami and the yidaki (didgeridoo) player Larry Gurruwiwi to the cutting edge sounds of ‘new rave from Kinshasa’ with Bantou Mentale and Korean future folk from Kim So Ra. Don’t forget to delve into some of the many workshops, talks, spoken-word sessions and cooking demonstrations.
August 1-4
Cambridge Folk Festival
Cherry Hinton Hall, Cambridge
www.cambridgelive.org.uk/folk-festival
Dispatches from the wide field of folk
Nowadays, the concept of ‘folk’ is a very broad church – something we very much approve of – and the Cambridge Folk Festival is one of the institutions that led to that transformation. In their 50-plus years of festivalling, the Cambridge line-ups have expanded to include deep traditions and cutting-edge innovations from around the world, while never abandoning the British roots music at its core. Exciting prospects this year include ‘From Bamako to Birmingham,’ a special collaboration between Amadou & Mariam and the Blind Boys of Alabama where Afropop meets gospel.
August 2-4
Underneath the Stars
Cinderhill Farm, Cawthorne, South Yorkshire
www.underthestarsfest.co.uk
Celestial music – there’s all sorts of stars here
For a festival run by Kate Rusby’s production company and just a stone’s throw from her hometown of Barnsley, it’s no surprise that Underneath the Stars has a focus on folk. Artists such as The Unthanks, Billy Bragg and Talisk are all near the top end of the bill, and names such as Le Vent du Nord from Québec and K.O.G. and the Zongo Brigade bring an international flavour to proceedings. With spectacular art installations around the site, artisan food and several indulgent glamping options, this festival is a feast for all the senses.
August 16-18
FolkEast
Glemham Hall, Suffolk
www.folkeast.co.uk
Full of eastern promise
Of their currently-announced 2019 line-up, FolkEast say ‘so far, so good.’ A bit of an understatement, that: the bill is headed by Richard Thomson, Cara Dillon, Sharon Shannon and Karine Polwart and carries on in that fashion all the way down – there’s folk royalty and up-and-coming talents for days (three, to be exact). FolkEast has the air of a fête to it, so as well as just music, expect many local contributions from Morris dancing to food stalls to real ale breweries.
August 22-25
Shambala
Secret location, Northamptonshire
www.shambalafestival.org
The best kept secret that everyone knows about
The location of Shambala remains a mystery, but the legendary tales of the wonderful festival frivolity to be had within its bounds are no secret. The festival’s motto is ‘Adventures in Utopia,’ and that should give you a bit of a clue as to its vibe: everyone working together to create a little corner of perfection, just for one weekend. A truly global line-up sees appearances from Hindustani slide guitarist Debashish Bhattacharya, Nigerien-Belgian essouf rock trio Kel Assouf and international London klezmorim Don Kipper, with many more to be announced.
August 23-26
Shrewsbury Folk Festival
West Midlands Showground, Shropshire
www.shrewsburyfolkfestival.co.uk
Sensational Salopian celebration
As well as presenting some of the best in folk music from across our own Atlantic archipelago and from further seas the world over, the Shrewsbury Folk Festival are also keen to make a real impact on the local music ecosystem with projects such as Room for All and All Together Now, promoting new and international music schemes across Shropshire. Add in a specially-programmed ‘youth festival’ called Refolkus, which introduces the younger set to the wonders of folk art, dance, music and crafts, this is a festival with eyes on the future as well as the present.
August 23-26
Towersey Festival
Thame Showground, Oxfordshire
www.towerseyfestival.com
Folk for all the family
A regular fixture of the August bank holiday, the Towersey Festival is four days of family-focused folk fun. Among the musical offerings are the Fisherman’s Friends, gracing the stage fresh from their cinema-based notoriety, and a special all-star tribute to the festival’s ever-present performer and patron Roy Bailey, who passed away in November 2018, featuring Tom Robinson, Martin Simpson, Andy Cutting and John Kirkpatrick. Arrive on the Thursday and take part in the Early Arrivals Ball… a grand name for a grand ceilidh.
September 6-30
London African Music Festival
Various venues, London
www.joyfulnoise.co.uk/london-african-music-festival
30 years of Joyful Noise
The 17th edition of the London African Music Festival coincides with the 30th year of the festival’s producers, Joyful Noise, and so the celebrations are suitably large and loud. Artists from every corner of the African continent and its diaspora will descend on jazz clubs, churches and arts venues around London throughout September, with big names such as Benjamin Zephaniah, Kel Assouf and Fofoulah appearing alongside groups making their UK debut, including Abdul and the Gang from Morocco and Chicas de la Habana from Cuba.
October 10-13
Darbar Festival
Barbican Centre, London
www.darbar.org
Majestic mehfils for all times of day
Darbar Festival is the UK’s premier celebration of Indian classical arts. Held this year between the Barbican Theatre and Guildhall’s Milton Court, Darbar hosts scintillating double-bills of legendary Indian artists, such as sitarist Budhaditya Mukherjee with father and son santoor players Shivkumar and Rahul Sharma, and tabla trio Tabla Grooves with Hindustani violinist Kala Ramnath. There’s also the opportunity to enjoy relaxing morning ragas sung in dhrupad style in their natural context – at 10am; it’s sure to be a wonderful experience for those that make it.
October 16-20
Manchester Folk Festival
Various venues, Manchester
www.manchesterfolkfestival.org.uk
From next-big-things to the best in the biz
Running alongside the English Folk Expo, the Manchester Folk Festival is a great opportunity to watch showcase performances from some of the most hotly-tipped young and emerging artists on the English folk scene alongside already shining stars such as Kate Rusby, Rowan Rheingans and the Unthanks. For the first time, the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards will be hosted as part of the festival, in Manchester’s Bridgewater Hall, so if there’s one place to get your finger on the pulse of the folk scene today, it’s here.
October 18-20
Musicport Festival
Whitby, North Yorkshire
www.musicportfestival.com
Celebrating 20 years!
The Musicport team hosts events in and around Whitby all year, but the festival is the main event, held in the Whitby Pavilion, a cosy theatre that dates back to the 19th century. Over past 20 years, Musicport has brought the great and the good of world music to the Pavilion, and the glimpse of line-up that we have for 2019 so far looks set to continue that tradition with international stars abound: sevdah singer Amira Medunjanin, UK reggae legends Misty in Roots, electro-Celtipunks Peatbog Faeries and Saharawi hero Aziza Brahim will surely be among the highlights this year.
November 16-28
London International Arts Festival
Various venues, London
www.liaf.co.uk
Karnatic music with a global perspective
The London International Arts Festival is the brainchild of UK-based Karnatic violinist Jyotsna Srikanth, and it started with the aim of promoting South Indian music within the UK. Over the past seven years, however, its remit has broadened: Karnatic music is still high on the agenda, but it has grown to include art music from cultures around the world. Community projects take to the stage alongside verifiable stars of South Asian music and fusion; collaborations are never too far away.
January 16-Feb 2 2020
Celtic Connections
Various venues, Glasgow
www.celticconnections.com
Entering a new decade of international music
Ringing in the new decade, Celtic Connections will start the year (as it does every year) with the best of trad, folk, jazz, world, Americana and more. If that sounds like a lot, it is: there are more than 300 concerts over 18 days in venues all across Glasgow. It feels as though the 2019 edition has only just come to a close, and so there are no specific details about 2020 yet, but you can be sure that the ever-expansive programme will have something for everyone, especially with Celtic Connections’ trademark boundary-breaking collaborations that can’t be heard anywhere else. Keep an eye out at the late-night Festival Club, the home of spontaneous and unexpected jams from some of the festival’s biggest names.
Photos from top: Knockengorroch World Ceilidh; WOMAD; Tropical Pressure.