PREVIEW: The Great British Folk Festival 2016

PREVIEW: The Great British Folk Festival 2016

When: 2nd-5th December 2016
Where: Butlins Skegness, Lincolnshire

In just over a fortnight’s time and in what will be the last such major event of the year,  The Great British Folk Festival lies in wait. Returning for its sixth annual outing it will once more be held at the Butlins resort of Skegness on the Lincolnshire coast of the North Sea. And yet again we are promised another tremendous line-up that brings together the very best in folk talent both old and new.

This year’s headliners will include Donovan, a man who was once described as “the British Bob Dylan”. Expect to hear his hit singles ‘Sunshine Superman’ (which topped the US charts in 1966), ‘Mellow Yellow’ and ‘Hurdy Gurdy Man’ amongst many other songs that have rightly earned him the epithet of “folk legend”; Brighton’s very own political folk-punk band and firm festival favourites, The Levellers; and from Penistone in the Metropolitan Borough of Barnsley and who along with her fellow Yorkshirewoman Eliza Carthy is often credited with having been in the vanguard of the more recent revival of folk music in this country, Kate Rusby.

With many more acts still to be announced, very strong support already comes courtesy of one of Ireland’s great singers Cara Dillon (who along with her band made a highly successful appearance at the festival three years ago); a man who should require absolutely no introduction, the lead singer of The Boomtown Rats, renowned songwriter and political activist, Bob Geldof; Oysterband, who remain one of this country’s most enduring folk acts; and Tyneside’s favourite band Lindisfarne who will count original member Rod Clements and former Roxy Music drummer Paul Thompson amongst their number.

In addition to the event’s more established artists who will be appearing on the site’s two main stages (Centre and Reds), a host of emerging folk talent will be showcased on the Introducing Stage. This year will see appearances from the young London singer-songwriter Kelly Oliver who already has had support slots with Cara Dillon, Barbara Dickson, and Thea Gilmore; Mark Harrison, whose original roots music incorporates both elements of folk and blues; Winter Wilson who comprise the combined talents of Kip Winter and Dave Wilson; the young English singer, composer and multi-instrumentalist, Louise Jordan; the London-based roots musician Linda Em, whose music is described as being “folk with a spoonful of blues and a dollop of Celtic storytelling”; and Crumbling Ghost who bring more than a hint of heavy psychedelia to the folk idiom.

In addition to having three nights’ accommodation in this beautiful seaside location and entry to all the music venues on this traditional holiday camp (where Butlins all started back in 1936), guests will also be able to enjoy access to all of the site’s bars and dining facilities.

For full information on The Great British Folk Festival and to get a quote for the cost of the weekend please go to the Butlins Live Music Weekends website HERE

Photos from last year’s Great British Folk Festival can be found HERE

Photo credit: Simon Godley

God is in the TV is an online music and culture fanzine founded in Cardiff by the editor Bill Cummings in 2003. GIITTV Bill has developed the site with the aid of a team of sub-editors and writers from across Britain, covering a wide range of music from unsigned and independent artists to major releases.