Our man in a sleeping bag shortly heads east, to Sotterley Hall, in deepest East Anglia. Here’s why.

NEVER HAPPIER

Here at At The Barrier we are never happier than in a field full of celebrants, worshipping at the temple of live music. There is something about a festival that is just so uplifting, freeing the spirit and lightening the load of life, with a kith and kin of similar souls. Although there are festivals to which we return time and time again, it is also an aim to explore those previously unvisited. And Folk East is, at least at present, one of the latter.

Folk East is but a teenager amongst some of the grand daddies of the folk festival scene, its history stretching back only to 2012. But, in that time it has had three homes, if now ensconced at Sotterley Hall, the second year at this stately home, somewhere between Ipswich and Great Yarmouth. and closer to the latter. As with many festivals that are nominally folk, it details a broad and inclusive definition of that word, and, music apart, prides itself also on attention to other aspects other than auditory alone. It self-describes as “a cross-arts celebration of music, song, dance, crafts and musical instruments“.

DIVERSE AS THE DEFINITION

Spread across a panoply of stages and venues, most tastes can be and are catered for, regardless of age, it not being unusual to see upward of three generations in attendance, together. As such, the roster includes acts that are as diverse as the definition, with, this year, this raging between the established and familiar to up and coming artists on the cusp of their careers. Richard Thompson is having quite the summer of festivals, and is, arguably, the main draw, for and on the Saturday night. In acoustic mode, he will be joined by his wife, Zara Phillips, and, if Gate To Southwell was any indicator, it will be a stonking show.

Elsewhere, Eddi Reader has sadly had to withdraw her Sunday night slot, given the illness and, now, death, of her husband, John Douglas, of the Trashcan Sinatras. ATB obviously wish her our sincere condolences. At short notice, Sam Kelly has stepped up, moving the performance of his Lost Boys band to close the Sunday night, which has meant, some slight rejigging of the otherwise weekend schedule, which awaits final timings.

VARIETY EXTREME

EXTREME VARIETY

Elephant Sessions are another jewel in the crown offered this year, the Scottish band on quite the roll this year, along with the evergreen Young ‘Uns, fast belieing their title, as they become veterans of the circuit. Irish world fusioneers, Jiggy are making one of their rare UK festival appearances this year, and can guarantee a top-notch spectacle of trad fumed beats and dance.

Further down the bill the variety is even more extreme, encompassing Sam Carter‘s superlative Nic Jones project and ex-Blur man, Graham Coxon’s The Waeve, mashing a post-punk realism into a folk-rock ambience. Bonfire Radicals bring their prog-folk vibe, whilst Mike McGoldrick and Tim Edey combine their ridiculous virtuosities across a broadly Celtic tradition, and The Magpies bring their celebration of song, tunes and the female voice. How could I forget Peter Knight and “Squeezy John” Spiers, fiddle and melodeon respectively, each giants in their own right, across any number of their own other collabs and arrangements. let alone the footprint of this duo format.

MORE, SO MUCH MORE

Who have I forgotten? Project Smok certainly warrant a shout, Ali Levack’s fizzing trio, where whistle is given the same pride of place as is the concertina in Talisk, with a similar reframed dynamic. Likewise, ATB favourites, Honey & The Bear are on, to reprise much of the band’s appearance as concomitant Lost Boys. Do you like guitar? Then you’ll love Jim Ghedi and Gwenifer Raymond, each bringing their distinctive styles. Other noteworthy nuggets secreted on the bill include Hearken, whose debut EP was so enjoyable, bringing their balfolk to the fens, and the decidedly odd Spitzer Space Telescope. Check out the poster at the top of the page, as there is more, so much more.

AND

Music apart, there is dancing to both watch and join in with, with morris sides and ceilidh bands aplenty. talks, poetry and art. Little folkers are catered in the same named section, with gourmands and ale aficionados all accommodated by a wide range of food outlets and a bona fide real ale festival on site. No silly pricing, either.

It’s going to be a cracker. There may even be a ticket or two still available, so if this whets any of your many whistles, here is where you need to go. Join me!

Folk East: Website and Tickets

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