We like to think of ourselves as the little festival with the big heart. For the third year running we’ll be celebrating new, upcoming and traditional folk music across two days. So, come on, spend the most romantic weekend of the year with us – dancing, singing, drinking, eating and generally loving folk!
This year we are bringing out the big guns with headliners Fairport Convention and newly solo John Boden. So save the date Friday 10- Saturday 11 February 2017 as this is a party folk fans will not want to miss!
What a way to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Cropredy than by having Fairport Convention kick off Love Folk 2017. Credited with originating the British folk-rock genre, the band has been through many changes but the current members retain a passion for live performance.
Part of their Winter Tour, their performance features a mix of long-established Fairport favourites alongside new material from their most recent studio album ‘Myths And Heroes’, released in 2015. They will be supported by Brighouse-based singer-songwriter Roger Davies whose quirky and entertaining songs reflect his love of Yorkshire and its people.
Saturday starts with Luke Jackson a young Roots Singer/Songwriter from Canterbury, Kent, who has been developing a real reputation for himself opening for such luminaries as Show of Hands, Steve Knightley, Martyn Joseph, Karine Polwart, Oysterband, Paul Brady, Glen Tilbrook, Sarah Jarosz and Lucy Ward.
With a bold, distinctive voice and a sweet, percussive guitar style, Luke is a confident and captivating live performer. He was the winner of Fatea’s “Male Artist of the Year 2014” and was nominated in the 2013 BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards for both the Horizon Award for Best Emerging Talent and The Young Folk Category.
Forged from the voices of Hannah James (Kerfuffle, duo with Sam Sweeney), Hazel Askew (The Askew Sisters, The Artisans) and Rowan Rheingans (Fidola), Lady Maisery explore vocal harmony to breathtaking effect, through their fresh interpretations of songs and ballads.
The trio burst onto the scene with the release of the debut album, ‘Weave and Spin’ in summer 2011, which received much critical acclaim and was declared an ‘Album of the Week’ by The Independent.
★★★★★ The Financial Times
Folklaw bring exhilarating songs and music that guarantees to get your feet tapping, your face smiling and your festival-feet jumping! Acrobatic fiddling and earthy vocals are interwoven with wonderfully distinctive vocal harmonies and the bodhran drum, as Folklaw deliver a subtle reflective social commentary nestled within a patchwork of inspirational songs and melodies.
They are well known for their crowd-surfing fiddle antics, engaging on-stage banter, and an energized stage performance is guaranteed. In the words of one of the UKs top folk-clubs “Simply magical”!
Sam Kelly & The Lost Boys are rapidly becoming firm favourites at venues and festivals in all parts of the country. Sam is one of the most exciting young prospects in the folk scene – landing him a nomination in the Best Singer category at the 2015 Spiral Earth Awards, and grabbing the attention of BBC Radio 2’s Folk Show.
His debut EP – entitled ‘Your Way Home’ was released in March 2013, which swiftly created a buzz of interest in the folk scene for his music. He followed this up with the release of the widely acclaimed ‘Spokes’ EP in February 2015.
Touring as a trio with Jamie Francis (banjo) and Evan Carson (percussion), Sam has gained a reputation for an incredibly high class and dynamic live show, and we are looking forward to hearing it live at #LoveFolk this year.
Jon Boden is our headliner for Saturday and we are delighted to have him. He has become the stand out performer of his generation of traditional folk artists, but one whose repertoire extends far beyond the boundaries of the genre.
Lead singer (and one of the principal arrangers) of the multi-award winning Bellowhead, one of the most exciting live acts of recent recent. Over 12 years Bellowhead achieved a level of critical and commercial success unmatched by any other band working in English traditional music in the last three decades. In 2015 Jon announced that he had decided to leave the band and on May 1st 2016 Bellowhead played their final gig.
Since 2009 he has also performed with his own band The Remnant Kings, performing both traditional folk music and Jon’s own work featured on his second solo album Songs from the Floodplain – a bleak but hopeful view of a post-apocalyptic world. The links between that and folk music was something further explored in BBC Radio 3’s The Essay. In addition, within the traditional folk scene, he has played in a duo with fellow Bellowhead member John Spiers for over a decade.
Love Folk Festival takes place on Friday 10- Saturday 11 February. Tickets are £38 (available until end of November – £48 thereafter ) plus booking fee*. To book your tickets or for more information please call Box Office on 01704 533 333 or visit theatkinson.co.uk
*There is a £1 booking fee for online and telephone sales and a 2% fee over the counter with a credit card.
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NOTES FOR EDITORS AND BROADCASTERS
For interviews, or more information please contact Emma.Lloyd@sefton.gov.uk or call 0151 934 2129
LISTING INFORMATION
At a Glance
Friday 11 February
Bar opens 7pm
7.30pm – Fairport Convention | Theatre
Saturday 12 February
Bar opens 11.30am
12.30pm – Luke Jackson | Studio
2.30pm – Lady Maisery | Studio
4.30pm – Folklaw | Studio
7pm – Sam Kelly & The Lost Boys | Studio
8.30pm – Jon Boden Solo | Theatre
Early Bird Festival Tickets: £38 (until end of November 2016)
Festival Tickets: £48 thereafter
*Please note: There is a £1 booking fee for online and telephone sales and a 2% fee over the counter with a credit card.
The Atkinson
Lord Street
Southport
Merseyside
PR8 1DB
HOW TO BOOK
In person: Visit The Atkinson box office on Lord Street
For tickets: visit the website theatkinson.co.uk or call box office on 01704 533333
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About The Atkinson
The Atkinson is Southport’s beautiful new home for music, theatre, art, poetry, literature and history, right in the middle of Lord Street in Southport. Significant investment has been made in refurbishing the stunning 19th century buildings, to create a really welcoming multi art-form venue with a strong contemporary feel.
The Atkinson offers an exciting and varied destination for families, cultural tourists and arts enthusiasts alike, with a full day and night time offer. Wile the day away visiting the new shop, that sells gifts and contemporary crafts from regional makers and then relax in the Bakery, choosing from a selection of artisan bread sandwiches, cakes and sharing platters.
You can even take little bit of The Atkinson home with you from the delicatessen. Wander through the major exhibitions and see performances from some of the UK’s foremost musicians, actors, performers and companies, films, family activities and much more.
Posted on 25 May 2016 under Just announced
