Beverley Folk Festival has a great track record of discovering new musicians and giving a platform for emerging artists, and 2016 will be no exception.
Once again there is a fantastic line-up of young artists as part this years Area 2 programme.
It is a stage for the second generation of singers, musicians, bands just coming onto the folk and wider scene.
Featuring some of the finest young artists in the UK who are passionate about the music they create, audiences of every age can rely on Area 2 to bring them something new, fresh and vibrant. Over the years Area 2 has gained legendary status amongst performers and audiences and is now one the festival’s most popular elements.
In addition, there are music workshops over the weekend in the main racecourse building – perhaps there will be people new to music in these sessions who will take to the Area 2 stage in the years to come!
Prepare to be blown away by the creativity and talent on show in Area 2 – will you spot tomorrow’s big names amongst the many talented young people involved?
Jim Pybus, Festival Director commented “Beverley Folk Festival remains committed to giving new, young voices a platform on which to perform and that helps to ensuring the tradition has a great future. Area 2 is a real treat for anyone with an interest in new music, be if folk or not, and we invite audiences young and old to join us in supporting these fantastic musicians and artists.”
Area 2 will run from 19:00 to 22:45 in the Wold Top Marquee each night of the festival and is hosted by Sam Pirt & Jim Molyneux, young musicians in their own right.
The line-up of artists is as follows:
AELFEN Founded by duo Sarah Horn & James Cudworth, playing fiery, fiddle-driven compositions & fresh arrangements of folk pieces
ALEX WEDLOCK Quirky & imaginative songs which evoke powerful emotions, scenarios and characters with ease
AMBER WARREN Matured and unique songwriting style Amber gives a captivating vocal performance
BALTER Four-piece all female band playing contemporary and traditional music as well as self-penned tunes and songs
BEN COOK Local singer-songwriter with a powerful voice and a niche for writing catchy tunes about the ups and downs of teenage life
BRIC-A-BRAC Lively young folk band playing original & traditional material. An eclectic mix of instruments; from concertina to 5-string bass
FIONA LEE A compelling voice which belies her years. Her songs tell tales of teen life with both innocent simplicity and impressively mature observations
FOOT DOWN Vibrant duo Foot Down is based in the South of England. The combination of Erin Mansfield on the whistle and James Kerry on the melodeon produce folk music in a traditional style with a modern vibe.
HENRY PARKER Rooted in the sounds of 70's folk guitar, with a creative and distinctive finger-style approach
IMOGEN HART Described as one of the 'breakthrough artists of 2015 ' by BBC Radio Humberside Introducing… presenter Alan Raw
JACK PATCHETT
"A young singer-songwriter from Huddersfield who is clearly destined for great things" – Peter Cowley, Fatea Magazine
LINDELEAHA An exciting young band emerging on the Newcastle folk scene, creating a unique blend of traditional, contemporary and self-penned songs and tunes.
MAX LILLEYMAN Music for 'people who have time to be quiet'. His songs are stories; of characters and their struggles; vignettes that paint a portrait
NATASHA MASKELL From her strong alto voice, you can expect to hear songs of love, loss and death… and maybe a fish or two
SCHOOL OF ROCK A fun-loving group of young musicians from Goole, aged 12-18. Their music is a rich mix of folk, soul, rock and pop covers & compositions
SPELDOSA The trio perform a wide variety of traditional, contemporary & self-penned material from around the world. (Also running Learning by Ear Tunes workshop)
THE MAGPIES Based in the medieval City of York, they are a synergistic and unique-sounding ensemble with catchy tunes being their specialty
WILL FINN AND ROSIE CALVERT Dynamic up-and-coming duo playing traditional music with a contemporary flare. (Also running Harmony Singing for All workshop)