The National Forest Folk Festival

Moira, nr. Swadlincote, South Derbyshire – From Friday the 2nd of July to Sunday the 4th of July 2010, The National Forest Folk Festival will be taking place at the award-winning Conkers attraction, offering some of the most unique, talented and award-laden contemporary folk acts from around the country. This is truly a high quality event, so much so that The Daily Telegraph puts it high in the top 100 UK festivals of any kind, The Guardian rates it in the top 10 small festivals, and The Guardian’s Film and Music supplement names The National Forest Folk Festival as the top festival for “folkies” bar none.

Friday the 2nd of July, 2010
Friday Evening (Concert A, £17)
Adrian Edmondson and the Bad Shepherds, The Monsters vs. The Touch

Friday evening will see Adrian Edmondson and the Bad Shepherds perform their unique style of folk-punk. Playing many of the top hits from the 80s punk scene, with music from such bands as the Sex Pistols, The Clash and The Undertones, all on folk instruments. The Bad Shepherds were founded by comedian Adrian “Ade” Edmondson, best known for his roles in the Young Ones and Bottom, alongside Rik Mayall. Now enjoying a successful music career, he and the band are touring the country, gaining much acclaim and recognition for their distinctive folk-punk sound.

Supporting are The Monsters from Newcastle who feature astonishing instrumental talents including surely the best accordionist in the country in Amy Thatcher. Here they combine with “The Touch” who adds drumbeats and effects by computer – certainly a new twist!

Saturday the 3rd of July, 2010
Saturday Afternoon (Concert B, £17)
The concert includes the Kathryn Tickell Band, Lau, and entrance to The Legendary Teatime Ceilidh with The Monster Ceilidh Band.

Kathryn Tickell is a composer and performer whose work is deeply connected to the landscape and people of Northumbria. As well as composing her own music, she has collaborated with artists as diverse as Sting, Andy Sheppard and Sir Peter Maxwell Davies, to name a few. Along with Kathryn, the multi-award winning Scots/English trio Lau (BBC
Radio 2 Folk Group of the Year in 2008 and 2009), will be performing their unique progressive folk style, while The Monster Ceilidh Band will be offering a modern and contemporary take on traditional Ceilidh dance in The Legendary Teatime Ceilidh.

Saturday evening (Concert C, £20)
The Peatbog Faeries, The Shee, Pete White’s Suitcase Circus, and also entrance to The Teatime Ceilidh with The Monsters.

The Peatbog Faeries are one of Scotland’s best known names in contemporary folk music, taking their own individual brand of Scottish tunes to audiences across the globe, from European Festivals, to Asia, Africa, America and Australia.

The Shee are an exceptional, all-female band showcasing powerful vocals and instrumental prowess. Their adventurous brew of Scottish folk, Gaelic song and bluegrass has earned them fast growing recognition. 

Pete White has been a mainstay of the National Forest Folk Festival for some years now, and is firmly established as a favourite with children and adults alike. His sparkling comedy combines with amazing and ridiculous stunts to fill any auditorium with laughter.

Sunday the 4th of July, 2010
Sunday Evening (Concert D, £15)
Includes Eliza Carthy and The Demon Barber Roadshow

Winner of 2 Mercury Prize nominations and innumerable other accolades over her 15 year English folk career, Eliza Carthy has performed and recorded with a diverse array of artists including the likes Paul Weller, The Wainwrights, Nick Cave and Joan Baez.

Winners of Best Live Act of 2009 at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards, The Demon Barber Roadshow are a youthful, enthralling and charismatic band with bags of attitude. Combining solid traditional acoustic instruments and songs with the added oomph of a superbly-tight rhythm section, they have a unique and captivating sound.

To purchase tickets for any of the concerts at the National Forest Folk Festival, those interested can call 01283 216633.