January E-Newsletter

We’re very excited to tell you all about our plans for the 2012 festival, including details of the line-up, brand new camp site news and info on tickets...

A guaranteed “rain free” event, Bristol Folk Festival returns to one of the South West’s flagship venues, the Colston Hall from Saturday 5th to the Monday 7th May for the early bank holiday weekend.

The Folk Festival returned to the city last year after an incredible 32 years absence and this year is being co-organised by the new Bristol Music Trust and a local music promoter. (BMT took over the running of Colston hall from Bristol City Council last year).

Line up

First and foremost we are proud to announce our three fantastic headliners: Show of Hands, Cara Dillon and Afro Celt Sound System!

Show of Hands will headline the opening night of the festival on Saturday 5th May with the Rua Macmillan Trio, ahab, Ewan McLennan, Phillip Henry & Hannah Martin, Miranda Sykes & Rex Preston, Blair Dunlop, O`Hooley & Tiddow, Luke Jackson, Sam Sweeney and Dyer Cummings filling the rest of the day.

In a year that will see Steve Knightley and Phil Beer celebrating 20 years of the incredible partnership that put them right at the top of British folk, the 2010 BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards double winners, together with regular double bass player Miranda Sykes will mark their milestone with a fourth return to the Royal Albert Hall in Easter before heading to Bristol for Saturday night of the festival.

See Show of Hands with their BBC award-winning, “constantly refreshed by headlines” track Arrogance Ignorance and Greed - a mighty swipe at bankers and bonuses, MPs and expenses. “Show of Hands are one of the great English bands” – Peter Gabriel

On Sunday folk’s finest female performer Cara Dillon will bring a burst of Celtic class to the festival, along with Karine Polwart, Moore Moss Rutter, The Young ‘Uns, Maggie Boyle with Paul Downes, The Teacups, Joe Tilston and a very special event yet to be announced!

Irish multiple award winner, Cara is among the most esteemed artists on the acoustic scene. See Cara performing The Verdant Braes of Skreen from Hill of Thieves which won Best Album at the 2010 BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards (spot Kevin “Inspector Lewis” Whateley among the audience!) “Cara Dillon is without exaggeration amongst the very finest to be heard today”… fRoots

The final day of the festival with see the mighty Afro Celt Sound System in what is likely to be the band’s only UK summer festival appearance this year. Joining them on Monday will be Rory Mcleod, Lucy Ward, 3Daft Monkeys, Benji Kirkpatrick, Sam Sweeney & Hannah James, Mawkin, Amy Wadge & Pete Riley, Lady Maisery, Walsh & Pound, Patsy Matheson & Becky Mills and Steve Turner.

Towering and tribal, twice-Grammy nominated Afro Celt Sound System fuses traditional Celtic tunes with driving African rhythms and hypnotic, cutting edge dance grooves. One of the most inspirational and innovative collectives ever, eight of the best musicians on the planet promise to bring the 2nd Bristol Folk Festival at Colston Hall to an unforgettable close. “A hurricane let loose” - Q Magazine “Moorish calls to prayer infused with the soft air of western Ireland; floating African whispers building into whirling dervish Celtic jigs – hearing is believing” – MOJO See recent performances: LushFest 2011 and Finsbury Park 2011.

As well as many many more musicians and dancers the festival will also feature morris dancers, mummers, maypoles, ceilidhs, workshops, singalong sessions, a market and posh loos! More info on the line up can be found here.

Says patron Seth Lakeman: “After last year’s hugely successful return to the UK’s live music calendar, I am delighted to be patron once again for Bristol Folk Festival 2012. With an eclectic line-up of multi-award winning, and up-and-coming folk and acoustic acts there is something for everyone.”

Accommodation
Those wanting to camp for the festival will be able to stay just a minute’s walk from the venue at the impressive St Mary-on-the-Quay church. The church in Colston Street will welcome campers to its hall for just £30 for all three nights (*under 15s accompanied by a responsible adult are full price but under 5’s go free.) Camping is available Saturday, Sunday and Monday.

Tickets
Weekend tickets
Adult Weekend : £80 for all three days
Adult Concession : £70 for all three days
Family tickets : £250 (2 adults and 2 children aged 5-15) under 5's go free!

Day tickets
Saturday: £30 (£28 concessions)
Sunday: £35 (£33 concessions)
Monday: £40 (£38 concessions)

Camping tickets
Indoor Camping: £30 for all three nights

Book via Colston Hall box office on 0117 922 3686 or online.
***Avoid booking fees by purchasing tickets over the counter at Colston hall with cheque or cash***

What the media said about Bristol Folk Festival 2011: “A stellar line-up” – Max Reinhardt, BBC Radio 3 “Festival returns to a storming success” - Bristol Evening Post “Proved itself a world-class event” – Taplas