When: 29th November – 2nd December 2019
Where: Butlins Family Entertainment Resort, Ingoldmells, Skegness, Lincolnshire, England
In a little over three weeks’ time, more than 6,000 paying guests will again be making their way to the Butlins holiday resort on the Lincolnshire coast of the North Sea for what will be the eighth annual edition of The Great British Folk Festival.
In firm keeping with all of its previous outings, this year’s festival promises to bring us yet another fabulous line-up comprising some of the very best acts, both old and new, from the world of British folk music. Headlining the event in 2019 will be one of the most venerable and influential names in English roots music, Steeleye Span; the supreme Scots’ singer-songwriter Eddi Reader; her fellow countrymen and “the most famous bagpipe band on the planet”, Red Hot Chilli Pipers; and Skippinish, another traditional band who also hail from north of the border.
Barbara Dickson and Peatbog Faeries add to what is already a very strong Scottish contingent of musicians who will be appearing over the weekend, but proving that the Scots will not be having it all their own way this year, the Irish folk singer Cara Dillon, the English songwriter and broadcaster Tom Robinson, whose set on Centre Stage back in 2015 was one of that year’s real highlights; another returning hero in the form of Welsh singer-songwriter Martyn Joseph (last here six years ago); and English folk rockers Merry Hell are all on this year’s first class bill.
Another Great British Folk Festival tradition being upheld is that of inviting back the winners of the previous year’s Introducing Stage competition (voted for by the audience) and in this regard The Salts, The Beaubowbelles and The Shackleton Trio will all be making the return trip to Ingoldmells in 2019. Some 13 new and upcoming performers – amongst whom will be The Family Dickens, Alesund and The Luck – will all be aiming to repeat the feat when they appear on the Introducing Stage this time round.
In addition to some 50 musical acts performing on the resorts’ four main stages over the course of the weekend, guests will also be able to enjoy three nights’ accommodation in warm, comfortable and most welcoming surroundings as well as having the opportunity to take advantage of a whole raft of other on-site entertainment including Big Screen Sports, ten pin bowling, American pool, the Splash indoor swimming pool and various amusement arcades.
Full details on this year’s Great British Folk Festival and how to book tickets for it can be found HERE
And to further whet your appetite for this wonderful fixture on the festival calendar, here are some photos from last year’s event.
