The very first Liverpool Folk and Roots Festival is now only a day away, and we’re starting to get rather excited here at Liverpool Acoustic HQ. This is the first time an event like this has taken place in Liverpool in recent years and it’s well worth supporting to help ensure it becomes an annual fixture in the city’s musical calendar.
Lasting for eight days from Saturday to Saturday, the festival features a variety of events throughout the city, each one tapping into a different part of Liverpool’s rich heritage of folk and roots music. And we’ve got the full run-down below.
Full details can also be found on the festival website at liverpoolfolkandroots.com
Saturday 21st November – Festival Opening Concert with The Unthanks
7.00pm @ St Bride’s Church – SOLD OUT
Joining the The Unthanks will be hosts The Random Family, plus Jonny Kearney, and Lucy Farrell.
If you were hoping to go to this then we’re sorry to have to tell you it’s a sell-out and there are no tickets left. Better luck next year!
Sunday 22nd November – Folk Day at The Bluecoat
12.00pm to 6.00pm @ The Bluecoat, School Lane
Liverpool Folk and Roots Festival in association with The Bluecoat presents a day of free live music and workshops led by performers from the Liverpool Sea Shanty concert (see the next entry).
Come along and enjoy a lazy Sunday afternoon featuring music from The Rough Island Band, Sparkwood & 21, Stan Ambrose, Hannah Peel, S.J Downes, Charnock and Russell and more…
Or get involved with a workshop – topics include ‘Traditional Sea Shanties’, ‘Writing Contemporary Shanties’, and ‘Sea Shanty Arrangement and Performance’.
Workshops commencing at 1pm, 2.30pm and 4pm – contact The Bluecoat to book a place. 0151 7025324
All events free – Facebook event
Sunday 22nd November – Sea Shanty Concert
7.00pm @ The Blackie, Great George Street
The Sea Shanty Concert in taking place association with the Liverpool Sea Shanty Festival.
- Hughie Jones – acclaimed singer/ songwriter/ guitarist, one of the legendary Spinners and a master of contemporary maritime song
- Stormalong John – Liverpool’s own international superstar shanty group
- Trim Rig and a Doxy – terrific songs, excellent melodeon, spectacular beard
- Loctup Together –superb harmony duo
- Bernie Davis – hugely entertaining multi-instrumentalist
- Travelling People – rousing folk / shanty group
Doors 7pm – Tickets £5 from Probe Records, Slater Street, and www.wegottickets.com
Bring your own drinks
Monday 23rd November – Stuart Todd album launch party
7.00pm @ Studio 2 at Parr Street
OK, so we cheated a bit. There’s no festival event on tonight, but if you’re a completist and want to make it eight consecutive evenings in a row then why not pop along to Studio 2 at Parr Street for a night of top class music from local artists?
The event is being organised by Stuart Todd who will be performing songs from his new album with The Freebies. Joining him will be guest Neil Campbell, plus Alister Said’s TAP UK, and Rae Clark.
Entrance is £5 on the door, which includes a copy of the CD.
myspace.com/stuarttodd for more information
Tuesday 24th November – Roy Bailey
7.00pm @ The Casa, Hope Street
‘Which Side Are You On?’ – Words and Music of Protest in association with Liverpool Working Class Music Festival
Roy Bailey, Alun Parry, plus special guest speakers
For 50+ years, Roy Bailey has been one of the UK Folk & Acoustic scene’s most loved and admired performers. From his early days performing skiffle in student union bars, to his love of traditional songs and the stories they tell, onto developing a unique repertoire of songs of dissent and hope. Roy has also pursued a distinguished academic career. He has lectured in Universities and Colleges in Britain, Germany, Belgium, the USA, Canada and Australia.
The evening will also include special guest speakers discussing the role of music in Liverpool’s past industrial disputes.
This event is free of charge but due to the anticipated high demand, tickets should be ordered and collected in advance from the venue to guarantee admission.
The Casa – 0151 706 0678
Wednesday 25th November – Martin Simpson
7.30pm @ The Bluecoat
Martin Simpson, with The Rough Island Band
Martin Simpson’s guitar playing is unsurpassed; he is one of the finest finger pickers and slide pickers of our time and was recently named one of the top artists of the decade by Acoustic Guitar Magazine. Winner of 5 BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards – 2 of them in 2008 for Best Original Song and Best Album – he is a superb interpreter of traditional music and song from both sides of the Atlantic.
He has worked with the likes of Jackson Browne, David Lindley, June Tabor, Martin Carthy, Martin Taylor and Eric Bibb and is a popular and much loved solo performer. Both spell-binding, and highly entertaining, he is a master of his craft.
7:30pm – Tickets £10 from The Bluecoat – 0151 7025324 www.thebluecoat.org.uk
Thursday 26th November – The Twilight Garden Party
7.30pm @ The Palm House, Sefton Park
Organised by Almanac Folk, this is set to be a fantastic night of music and art in the wonderful surroundings of the Palm House at Sefton Park.
Friday 27th November – The Company Store
8.00pm @ The Zanzibar
More details from myspace.com/liverpoolcompanystore
Saturday 28th November – Festival Closing Concert
7.00pm @ St Bride’s Church
Drawing the festival to a close it returns to where it all began with an evening showcasing the very best unsigned and independently labelled young folk artists from across the North-West.
Featuring the sublime… Denis Jones, The Random Family, Liz Green, and Wiglas.
Doors 7pm – Tickets £5 from www.wegottickets.com Bring your own drinks