Dhol Foundation, Oysterband, Blackbeard’s Tea Party
and Sam Kelly & The Lost Boys headline 2025
Ely Folk Festival
Ely Folk Festival returns in 2025 to showcase a wealth of local and global talent celebrating folk, roots and acoustic music over a full weekend in July.
Leading the way are the mighty Dhol Foundation bringing their famous DJ set to Ely. Led by Johnny Kalsi of Imagined Village, Transglobal Underground and Afro-Celt Sound System fame, for over thirty years they have been getting everyone dancing with their blend of classic Bhangra beats and upbeat folk plus of course their thunderous dhol drums.
Ely is also delighted to welcome a second legendary act in Oysterband, who have been leading the way in folk for over forty years. Now winding down on their Long Long Goodbye tour this is the last chance to see them in Cambridgeshire. As impassioned, committed and energetic as they have ever been they will be revisiting highlights from their storied career on what promises to be an emotional and powerful occasion.
By contrast Blackbeard’s Tea Party have been going for a “mere” fifteen years, but in that time have established themselves as firm festival favourites and have recently released their seventh album We Are People. Their high octane stage show and mix of traditional and original material, all give a rock edge and bursting with energy means that dancing will be mandatory!
Last but by no means least come Sam Kelly and The Lost Boys, who feature a who’s who of young talent including Evan Carson on drums and Archie Moss on melodeon. Sam plays with Kate Rusby and a host of others as well as fronting The Lost Boys, whose superlative musicianship is the perfect vehicle for both Sam’s own songs and more traditional pieces.
The headliners will join the four acts already announced: folk legend and acoustic guitar master Martin Simpson, folk rock supergroup The Magpie Arc, who include Nancy Kerr and Findlay Napier alongside Simpson, award winning local folk-rockers Fred’s House and bold, insightful rising star Maddie Morris.
In addition there are many more acts to be announced as well as a special event on Festival Saturday (watch this space!) and of course the well-established local music showcase, ceilidhs, instrumental and dance workshops, ‘meet and greet’ sessions with some of the festival’s leading artists, jam sessions and children’s entertainment, all on one site at the beautiful Stuntney Estate. Add in an outstanding real ale bar with over 25 real ales and ciders, the return of the enormously popular gin bar and a wide range of mouth-watering food as well as plenty of tempting craft stalls
and it’s clear to see why Ely Folk Festival continues to go from strength to strength.
The 39th annual Ely Folk Festival takes place from 11th – 13th July at Stuntney Estate adjacent to Ben’s Yard, Soham Road, Ely CB7 5TR.
Tickets available now at www.elyfolkfestival.co.uk
