The Folk Forest are running their own mini festival in Endcliffe Park on the weekend of Tramlines.
Previously part of the Tramlines programme, The Folk Forest have run a stage at the leafy gateway to the Peak District for several years.
But with Tramlines’ relocation to Hillsborough this year, The Folk Forest have parted ways in order to host their own ticketed mini festival.
As line-up announcements have been released, it’s shaped up into a pretty delightful affair, with a diverse bill of emerging and established bands from Sheffield and across the UK.
Embracing a broad definition of ‘folk‘ (which translates from the German as, simply, ‘people’), The Folk Forest’s main stage – suitably named the Forest stage – promises an eclectic bill of live music.
A strong jazz contingent includes MOBO award-winning jazz musician and rapper Soweto Kinch, and electronic/ambient Mercury nominees Portico Quartet.
Watch: Portico Quartet – Ruins
Sliding towards the electronic end of the spectrum, key bookings include Japanese producer Anchorsong, who will perform alongside a string orchestra, for what promises to be a highlight of the weekend.
The line-up boasts two must-see African artists including Senegalese kora master Kadialy Kouyate, and Sheffield’s own K.O.G. in collaboration with Leeds-born afrobeat behemoth Nubiyan Twist.
On the more traditionally folk side, the main stage will host Sheffield prodigy Jim Ghedi, John Smith, Sam Amidon, and Pictish Trail.
Other musical highlights include folk-pop quartet Before Breakfast, the Sheffield Beatles Project, and Neighbourhood Voices.
Watch: Nubiyan Twist – Straight Lines
Besides the Forest stage, there are four additional stages with bills yet to be announced. These will include the ‘Concerteenies’ stage especially tailored to parents with 0-3 year olds, and Site Gallery Introducing, which will focus on performance and visual arts. More information on these line-ups will be released shortly.
The festival includes an extensive arts and crafts market, heritage craft workshops, and vendors including Sheffield Beer Collective.
Festival director Tim Feben described the Folk Forest as the flagship event for Regather Co-op, the organisers behind it.
‘It’s a kind of “best of” event for us pulling in all the different aspects Regather is involved with; food and drink, arts and culture, and a strong theme of localism and independents. Hopefully that comes across with the diversity and vibrancy of the weekend.’
The festival runs on 21st – 22nd July, and ticket prices for the full weekend (inclusive of booking fees) are £33 for adults, £16.50 for children, and £77 for a family pass.
Pingback: Heads up from Pink Wafer on The Folk Forest 2018 | Regather