Folk legend Peter Knight has been announced for East Anglia’s fast-rising festival FolkEast which returns to Suffolk for a fifth year this August. The three day festival takes place at Glemham Hall, between August 19-21.
Few fiddlers can hold a candle to the iconic Knight whose presence has enriched the British music scene for more than four decades. Since his departure from Steeleye Span in 2013, Knight has focused on his Gigspanner trio conjuring up a completely distinctive sound. Knight will be centre stage at FolkEast for “An Audience with Peter Knight” and will also be hosting a violin masterclass. Also joining the line-up will be the hugely popular John Spiers. With the final curtain falling on the mighty Bellowhead as well as the duo Spiers & Boden, “Squeezy” is pursuing a new solo route. Spiers will perform a solo show at FolkEast and host a melodeon workshop.
Also just announced are captivating Yorkshire duo O’Hooley & Tidow, Belinda and Heidi have been described as “lionhearted trailblazers of contemporary music and songwriting”.
FolkEast will be packing a punch with no less than seven 2016 BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards nominees (including irrepressible patrons The Young ‘uns, looking to retain their Best Group title). Other nominees are Eliza Carthy (Folk Singer of the Year); Katriona Gilmore and Jamie Roberts (Best Duo) Sam Kelly (Horizon Award) Andy Cutting and Dan Walsh (Musician of the Year) and Sam Carter (Best Album for Salvor – his False Lights collaboration with Jim Moray) – an act whose first ever appearance was at FolkEast.
The event boasts three powerhouse band headliners – Eliza Carthy’s Wayward Band, a rare appearance by seven-piece Blowzabella and an exclusive UK festival performance by Irish supergroup Usher’s Island. Adding to the Irish flavour will be an appearance by the engaging Dublin singer and bouzouki player Daoiri Farrell.
Advance weekend tickets are available price £115(adult), £98 (full time students, senior citizens) and £65 for Youth tickets (12-17 year old) which must be purchased with an adult ticket. Family weekend tickets for two adults and two 12-17 year olds are £320. A great offer sees free admission for children aged 11 and under and optional camping is included with all weekend tickets, with a £25 charge for campervans and caravans. Located close to the A12, the festival will also be running shuttle buses to the site from Wickham Market station.
