Friday 9 & Saturday 10 February 2024
Book Tickets
Join us at The Atkinson for Love Folk Festival; a celebration of traditional, upcoming and alternative folk music.
Headliners The Magpie Arc and Merry Hell are joined by Frankie Archer, NATI, Harp and a Monkey, Iona Lane and Chris Fox.
In addition to the main stage, Fatea will once again be hosting the Busk Love Folk acoustic stage.
The bar will showcase a series of guest ales and our award-winning café, A Great Little Place, will be providing a selection of delicious homemade food for you to enjoy.
#LoveFolkFest
Festival Tickets £50
Festival tickets are valid for all acts taking place Friday 9 & Saturday 10 February 2024. Lower level and balcony seating is reserved.
Schedule
Friday 9 February 2024
Main Stage. Studio. Doors open 7:30pm
20:00 – 20:30 – Frankie Archer
21:00 – 22:30 – The Magpie Arc
Saturday 11 February 2024
Main Stage. Studio. Doors open 12:30pm
13:00 – 13:45 – Frankie Archer
14:15 – 15:15 – Chris Fox
15:45 – 16:45 – Iona Lane
18:00 – 19:00 – Harp and a Monkey
19:30 – 20:30 – NATI
21:00 – 22:30 – Merry Hell
Food & Drink
Throughout the festival, the bar will showcase a series of guest ales from Southport Brewery.
On Saturday 4-7pm, A Great Little Place will be providing a selection of delicious homemade food for you to enjoy. The pop-up café is cash only.
The Bands
The Magpie Arc
The Magpie Arc is a cross-Border band out of Sheffield, Arran and Edinburgh featuring the multi-award-winning talents and wide musical influences of Nancy Kerr, Findlay Napier, Tom Wright, Alex Hunter and UK folk legend, guitarist Martin Simpson. Formed from the idea of bringing together a group of established folk musicians who would mix their song-writing styles and musicianship in a full-on electric band to create exciting new music and update the classic 60’s and 70’s British folk/rock sound, the possibilities of The Magpie Arc being something special and unique on today’s folk scene became obvious very quickly.
themagpiearc.com / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / YouTube
Merry Hell
Multi award winning Merry Hell offer joyful, uplifting folk-rock, with a message for troubled times. Native to North West England, their energy and passion is complimented by their love of what they do and a desire to share hope and togetherness with as many people as are willing to listen. Through 6 albums and hundreds of gigs, they’ve offered voices of hope and beacons of light to anyone valuing both melody and positive humanity.
merryhell.co.uk / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / YouTube
Frankie Archer
Frankie Archer is fresh on the scene and shaking up genres and traditions, sharing the lesser told sides of stories, championing women, challenging perspectives and calling for a fairer future, all to a unique mix of synths, manipulated samples, drum tracks and earthy fiddle and voice. Frankie Archer’s imaginative and bold mash of electro alt-trad shows her Northumbrian fiddle roots, her deep love of electronic music and her immersion in soulful folk songs from the North East of England and around the world. Mark Radcliffe (BBC Radio 2) described her music as “Fascinating and Intoxicating”.
frankiearchermusic.com / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / YouTube
Nati
In a quiet seaside town in the East of Scotland, Nati has been growing an army of global fans. 2022 saw her not only hit nearly 2million followers across social media platforms, but also hit the road supporting Tidelines, Newton Faulkner and Simply Red. After a successful run of livestreamed shows which meant that Nati could quit her 9-5 job and focus solely on music. Nati has been busy writing and creating original music with her first single set to be released in September, which she recorded with Rich Turvey, ‘Blossoms’ producer. Nati is joining ‘When Rivers Meet’ on tour in the UK in October followed by her own run of sold out shows in Scotland in November, with the iconic King Tuts selling out in a matter of hours. She is soon to announce more headline shows across the UK. This all comes after her first ever summer of festivals in the UK where she played, Cambridge Folk Festival and Secret Garden Party to name a few. Nati’s story is one that reminds you that dreams really can come true. Just 2 years ago Nati was playing guitar in her bedroom, with the aim of keeping herself entertained during lockdown after lockdown. What she didn’t anticipate was that she was also putting smiles on the faces of hundreds of thousands of people each week, building a community of who not only love Nati for her musicianship and dreamy vocals but also her huge, warm, inclusive personality which meant that her channels were lifting spirits all over the world. In a time where the world felt lonely, Nati was everybody’s friend.
Facebook / Instagram / YouTube
Harp and a Monkey
The work of Martin Purdy (vocals, glockenspiel, accordion, harmonica and keyboards), Simon Jones (harp, guitar, viola) and Andy Smith (banjo, melodica, guitar and programming) is imbued with a deep Lancashire sensibility that shines through in their beautifully crafted and sometimes spookyvignettes of life, love and remembrance. From original compositions to traditional songs, their approach is rooted in integrity.The outfit, who have been friends for more than 20 years, channel the ghosts of summers spent in municipal parks and winters walking on the moors. Ask them about their influences and they are as likely to cite Ordnance Survey maps and the Commonwealth War Graves Commission as they are Chris Wood, Bjork, Ewan MacColl or The Oldham Tinkers.
harpandamonkey.com / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / YouTube
Iona Lane
Driven by awe and wonder of the natural world Iona Lane delivers poetic songs, with subtle musical touches and contemplative melodies that link unheard stories with the world we find ourselves in today. ‘Hallival’ is the long awaited debut album from Glasgow-based folk singer and songwriter Iona Lane. Having found herself fascinated by folklore and folk stories from across the UK ‘Hallival’ is inspired by natural landscapes, scientific discoveries, equality, human relationships and the supernatural, all tied together by a strong sense of place and a love for being in wild places – creating something truly special.
ionalane.com / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / YouTube
Chris Fox
A genre defying Folk troubadour Chris made rapid progress through the UK folk and roots scene with his song writing, utilising a variety of styles across the roots lexicon of traditional & contemporary folk, Americana, Country and Blues. Audiences are enthralled by his rich vocals, complex guitar playing, and loop pedal alchemy finding Chris to be humorous & thought provoking in equal measures. His naturally laid back, unostentatious style creates the perfect ambience for an intimate and inclusive live experience drawing listeners in with tales of both the everyday and the unexpected.
chrisfoxmusic.org / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / YouTube
Festival Partner
The ‘Busk Love Folk’ acoustic stage is proudly sponsored by Fatea. Established over 30 years ago, the indie organisation features music from across the acoustic spectrum.
Refund Policy
Line-ups are correct at time of purchase but may be subject to change.
Please check our refund policy before booking.
Posted on 17 November 2023 under Just announced, Theatre & Studio