All of the performers for the 2020 festival…
We’ll be adding more information on artists as we announce them. Keep checking back…
Chivalrous Crickets
All the way from America! They are an upcoming, genre-crossing folk band exploring the intersection between Appalachian, Old Time, traditional English and Celtic, and early European art music. The band’s members, who all sing, play instruments, and arrange and compose for the group, come from backgrounds of folk and early classical music.
Visit their website: chivalrouscrickets.com
The English Fiddle Ensemble
Unless they sneak in another gig, this will be their debut performance!
Four of England’s finest traditional fiddle players, Bryony Griffith, Jim Boyle, Ross Grant and Rosie Butler-Hall, have joined forces to create The English Fiddle Ensemble, bringing joyous harmonies and striking rhythms to traditional English tunes.
Visit their website: facebook.com/EnglishFiddleEnsemble
Furthest From The Sea
Our great friends, and supporters of many artistic adventures in the city, are once again going to be looking after many of the fringe music activities. Look out for lots of things that they get involved in, throughout the year, and show them some love!
Visit their website: furthestfromthesea.co.uk
Harri Endersby
Harri Endersby is a songwriter and musician whose music blurs the lines of the folk genre, drawing inspiration from both contemporary and traditional music, as well as the rugged landscape of County Durham, the place that she calls home.
Visit their website: harriendersby.com
India Electric Co.
Sometimes folk, sometimes not. India Electric Company use traditional instruments in contemporary styles to explore diverse themes from Eastern Europe, Irish traditions and modern urban alienation. They really are fabulous, and Derby Cathedral will be a perfect setting…
Visit their website: indiaelectricco.com
The Jellyman’s Daughter
Scottish outfit The Jellyman’s Daughter lands squarely in the middle of an intriguing crossroads between bluegrass, post-rock, folk and soul. Mixing their unique vocal harmonies with wild and visceral cello, driving guitar and sweet mandolin, Emily and Graham write their songs together with a focus on doing something new. For the festival, they’ll be appearing as a four-piece – and sounding fantastic!
Visit their website: thejellymansdaughter.com
John Tams & Barry Coope
Add a festival Patron, to one third of CBS, and you get an amazing duo! Songs and stories to have you holding your sides from laughing one minute, and wiping away tears the next – they really are incredible. It’s an honour to see them with us this year, and we know it will be a packed concert.
Visit their website: johntams.co.uk
Kathryn Roberts & Sean Lakeman
Although it’s hard to believe it’s true, 2020 is their 25th year of making music together – we’ve loved every day of it! They’ve visited the festival a few times in the past, always giving us amazing concerts, and we’re delighted that they can join us again, to close the festival.
Visit their website: kathrynrobertsandseanlakeman.com
Kitty Macfarlane
Nominated for the Horizon Award in the 2019 BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards; her debut album Namer Of Clouds was one of The Guardian’s Best Folk Albums of 2018 ; airplay across BBC Radio 2, 3, 4 and 6 Music; FATEA’s Female Artist of the Year; nominated for Album Of The Year in the fRoots Critics Poll. All of that, and more, tells you why we’re looing forward to welcoming her back – this time, with a band!
Visit their website: www.kittymacfarlane.com
The Last Inklings
A delightful duo who create music that inspires wonder and intrigue by crafting modern myths into original songs. Their innovative sound focuses on cello, mandolin, and violin layered with vocal harmonies. With vibrant backstories and creative musicianship, their songs have a modern flavour that is rich with imagery and narrative.
Visit their website: thelastinklings.co.uk
Lucy Ward
Lucy plays guitar, ukulele and concertina, but considers her voice to be her first instrument. She’s one of our patrons, and we love her to bits! From a first guitar at 14, she has won the Horizon Award, and been finalist in the Young Folk Singer, and Folk Singer of the Year Awards, at the Radio 2 Folk Awards. She goes from strength to strength as a writer and performer, whether with a full band, or in a solo setting.
Visit her website: lucywardsings.com
Ninebarrow
Exceptional singers and musicians, and great company – it’s a real treat to invite Jon and Jay back to Derby. They mix original material with traditional folk songs, and come up with recordings and performances that have outstanding harmonies, delicate instrumentation and engaging songs.
Visit their website: ninebarrow.co.uk
O’Hooley & Tidow
Belinda and Heidi’s boundless songwriting has been described by The Guardian as ‘exceptional’ and The Independent as ‘defiant, robust, northern, poetical, political folk music for the times we live in.’ Their song ‘Gentleman Jack’ features as the closing theme song for BBC/HBO drama series Gentleman Jack. Quite simply, they are brilliant!
Visit their website: ohooleyandtidow.com
Old Sea Legs
’Old Sea Legs’ is more than just a nom de guerre for Dublin songwriter and performer Ian Bermingham; it is a window into a world entirely of his own creation. Best known for his time as frontman of Dublin quintet ‘The Eskies’, Bermingham has wasted no time in stepping into new, uncharted waters as a solo performer since the group’s sad demise in the latter half of 2019. He has “…the storytelling nous and craft of the quintessential folk troubadour, and the melodic ear of a pop pioneer…”
Visit their website: oldsealegs.com
Ranagri
A contemporary folk/world music band featuring Dónal Rogers, Eliza Marshall, Ellie Turner & Joe Danks, consisting of flutes; Irish whistles; electric harp; bodhran; guitars; piano; bouzouki and voices.. Dónal Rogers’ vocals, forcible and fresh with influences from folk to world music and a powerful message to boot. A band who exude good times and happiness but are not afraid to tackle serious issues like homelessness and the current trend for fake news which surrounds us..
Visit their website: ranagri.com
Road Not Taken
A Bristol based four piece starting to make waves on the UK folk scene. Having honed their craft over a number of years of performing live, their debut album Fragment brings together songs, inspired by the tradition and which best represent their sound… Not just that – it’s fabulous, and we can’t wait to see them at the festival.
Visit their website: roadnottaken.co.uk
Winter Wilson
Having become part of what we see as Derby’s “festival family”, we’re delighted to have Kip and Dave back with us again this year. They’ll be performing concert slots, as well as getting involved in some other exciting elements!
Visit their website: winterwilson.com
