Sick and tired of all those massive festivals, spread across dozens of stages, clashes aplenty, aching feet and a king’s ransom to even attend? OK, I can’t guarantee the weather, this year of all, but doesn’t this here all smack of simpler times, before the mega-corps got involved? Don’t take my word for it, I’m going on the express recommendation of regular performer, the estimable P.J. Wright, folk-rock guitar man of repute, initially of the original Steve Gibbons Band and the Gibbons fronted Dylan Project, latterly with his own bands, Little Johnny England and Trad.Arr. It may have taken a year or five to actually make it, but, shhh, I’m excited.
It’s true, the line up may err on the side of heritage, but classy has always been ageless in the ATB book, and the line-up is a stonker, capturing such stalwarts as Oysterband and Steeleye Span. And, with folk festival favourites, Feast Of Fiddles also on the bill, the possibility of Peter Knight popping over to see his old band can’t but entertain the imagination. Steve Knightley gets to introduce his new band, Dream In Colors, to Hampshire, his boots not ready for hanging up since the demise of Show of Hands.
Other ATB favourites include Banter, who open the three main days of the festival, although early arrivals will have a full two earlier days to ease into the bucolics. Elsewhere, Katie Spencer, The Haar and Plumhall can’t fail to reward the audience. Plus, a real bonus, as our own Caitlin Barrett, a fellow scribe on this very site, gets to parade her own band, the well-seasoned Roving Crows, for some fiddle led folk-punk. And, as for P.J., well, he’s here, of course he’s here, this year with the Sandy Denny Project, who are way more than your average tribute act.
Short of Cropredy, where else has still just the one stage? The organisation here is so civilised that, come late afternoon, everything stops for, presumably, a picnic tea, ahead of a later rekindling of ceremonies. And if you have forgotten your spotted tablecloth and thermos flask, there is an array of food vendors, together with a bar for all the local ales and ciders you might need. (I dare say other drinks are available.) Additionally, there are workshops and singarounds, morris teams and even a huge BBQ to warm everyone up on the first evening.
Appealing? I should say so. All for south of a ton and a half, exceptionally good value in these days of escalating costs. But don’t take pot luck and turn up on the day, it would be far, far better manners to buy in advance. Indeed, like most festivals, by so doing you are giving a better opportunity for the festival to keep going. With both Towersey and Under The Stars announcing this year their last, and others failing to even get this far, this is an essential. Lecture over, lecture meant.
See you there?
New Forest Folk Festival online: Website / Twitter / Facebook
Keep up with At The Barrier: Facebook / X (formerly Twitter) / Instagram / Spotify / YouTube