8 June 2015

Purbeck Valley Folk Festival is overjoyed to announce that its final headline act for 2015 is Hot Rize. This is bluegrass royalty! Hot Rize represents a far-reaching set of talents including national radio host (Forster), Grammy-winning Americana icon (Tim O’Brien), bluegrass’ foremost teacher (Pete Wernick) and bluegrass’ most-awarded guitarist (Bryan Sutton). Its longevity spans more than half of the history of bluegrass music, having played in virtually every state, four continents– on TV, radio, and at festivals worldwide. Purbeck Valley Folk Festival (August 27-30), is set to be the highlight of the summer. Legendary acts rub shoulders with upcoming talent amidst the beautiful hillside surroundings of the Purbeck Valley Folk Festival located on the A351 (Valley Road) between Corfe Castle and Swanage. Apart from Hot Rize, the stellar line-up announced so far includes Chris Difford, Justin Currie, Richard Thompson, Stornoway, Kathryn Tickell, Megson, Martha Tilston & the Scientists, Phillip Henry and Hannah Martin and The Moulettes. With a new name and site, the event is brought to you by father and daughter Catherine and Paul Burke, part of the team behind the award-winning Purbeck Folk Festival. Running over the Bank Holiday weekend, August 27-30, revellers can expect the very best folk, roots and world music. The organisers have carefully chosen an exciting line-up that reflects the diversity of the current folk scene, with plenty to keep music lovers and families entertained. Organiser, Catherine Burke, is extremely excited to be bringing so many well-loved artists together: “We have a broad definition of folk music at Purbeck Valley. As promoters we listen to the feedback our audience gives us. We always ask festival-goers to tell us who they’d like to see at the festival and, as well as introducing them to new music that we think they’ll like.” Music fans are also in for a special treat, as Saturday’s Songwriting Circle will see headliners Chris Difford and Justin Currie taking part. This is an intimate opportunity to hear the stories behind the songs from the musicians themselves. Purbeck Valley is surrounded by stunning views of Corfe Castle, accessible camping and some truly delicious food. Tickets are selling fast for this year’s festival, which takes place on August 27-30. Weekend tickets (Friday -Sunday) include free camping and are on sale now at just £100 (youth £50, children over three £20). A limited number of Festival day tickets will also be available. For more information please visit www.purbeckvalleyfolkfestival.co.uk and for tickets call 023 80711818 or www.ticketsouth.co.uk

The Americana Music Association and the GRAMMY Museum are continuing their successful partnership to produce a series of programming in Los Angeles as a part of the museum’s educational mission. These programs are moderated by VP of the GRAMMY Foundation and MusiCares, Scott Goldman, and produced by GRAMMY Museum Director of Public Programming and Artist Relations, Lynne Sheridan. Confirmed for the next installment of the Americana Series at the GRAMMY Museum include Texas troubadours Ray Wylie Hubbard (June 9) and Robert Earl Keen (June 22). Tickets for Mr. Hubbard and Mr. Keen are on sale now. The Americana Series at the GRAMMY Museum will feature interviews with the artists, followed by a selection of songs. Tickets are available through the GRAMMY Museum website.

Sidmouth FolkWeek returns for eight days of summer, seaside festival fun from July 31 – August 7, in its idyllic setting amongst East Devon’s red cliffs. This year the festival has an ear to the past, and an eye on the future! Building on the success of last year’s Diamond Anniversary celebrations, the quality bar remains high – with major names from the folk music scene as well as fantastic emerging talent – moving forward into the next generation of the festival. FolkWeek offers a diverse range of events to suit all interests – from major concerts to intimate sessions, from fantastic folk dance to cracking ceilidhs, from high quality Children’s Festival family fun to Shooting Roots’ youth sessions, storytelling to special shows, spectacular displays and processions and an unrivalled 200+ event workshop programme. This year a revamped Bulverton Marquee, where evening roots and dance parties are held, includes a new late night Betsy’s Lounge chill-out venue, with a new special ticket deal available for 18-25 year olds. What’s on offer in 2015? Pre-festival concerts Two amazing pre-festival concerts feature South West shanty-singing favourites Port Isaac’s Fisherman’s Friends (with support from Devon’s creamiest singer Jim Causley) on Fri 31st July at 3pm, and darling of the British folk scene, and its most famous contemporary singer Kate Rusby (with support from Dorset’s Ninebarrow) on Thurs 30th July at 8pm. Headliners throughout the week include: Irish stars Altan; Festival Patrons and outstanding acoustic trio Show Of Hands; Australian vocal tour-de-force The Spooky Men’s Chorale; Gaelic singing sensation Julie Fowlis – of Pixar’s Brave fame; Skye-based party starters Peatbog Faeries; radical English and reggae roots from Edward II; the spectacular and athletic Demon Barber’s XL new show Disco At The Tavern; Bristol’s minimalist masters Spiro and The Poozies featuring Sally Barker from BBC One’s The Voice amongst many others. Upcoming artists are featured in the EFDSS Folk Rising Plus concerts with Ange Hardy, Maz O’Connor, Jaywalkers and more, as well as fRoots Cellarful of Folkadelia sessions Stick In The Wheel, Martha Tilston, Heg & The Wolf Chorus, Amadou Diagne, Lynched and the new up-tempo Hootenanny@Carinas evenings with the likes of Keston Cobblers Club, Rob Heron & The Tea Pad Orchestra and Harp and a Monkey. As well as concert and roots party fun, expect diverse dance traditions taking to the streets – from the Tibetan Tashi Lhunpo Monks to Bacup’s Britannia Coco-nut Dancers! The Taster Programme is now available at www.sidmouthfolkweek.co.uk, giving a flavour of what’s on offer throughout the week. The full programme will be available in July.