FOLKEAST has a growing reputation for its ‘firsts’ and this year folk musician and writer Jon Wilks will bring an exclusive event to the festival’s new Sotterley Estate home  – a magical celebration of a London music venue that became known as one of the most influential rooms in British music history.

Jon will curate the ‘Second Cousins’ stage, celebrating the 60th anniversary of the iconic Les Cousins Folk and Blues Club, a ‘spawning ground’ for musical talent, which opened in the basement of a restaurant at 49 Greek Street, Soho, back in 1965.

At Les Cousins musicians of the era met and learnt from each other – legendary names such as Al Stewart, Davey Graham, Bert Jansch, John Renbourn, Nick Drake, Sandy Denny, John Martyn, Cat Stevens, Alexis Korner, The Strawbs, Roy Harper and Paul Simon.

The unlikely musical hotspot which bustled beneath the Soho Grill restaurant owned by Cypriot husband-and-wife Loukas and Margaret Matheou will enjoy a milestone reincarnation at FolkEast on Saturday, August 16.

With the involvement of Diana Matheou—who, along with her late husband, Andy (the Matheous’ son), ran the club during its heyday—the stage will feature an exhibition of memorabilia and photography, alongside talks and performances. The line-up will include artists who originally played at the club, as well as younger musicians who embody its exploratory ethos. 

Jon  is currently writing a book on the history of Les Cousins and is looking forward to bringing its story to life at FolkEast. He says: “FolkEast is a festival perfectly positioned at the crossroads of traditional folk music and the singer-songwriter tradition that the club helped shape. With its shared spirit of creativity and community it is the ideal home for this celebration.”

Diana Matheou, who will make a special guest appearance, agrees: “What a great opportunity FolkEast is providing this summer in celebrating the legacy of this radiant place and time. The recent sunny weather seems fitting for the 60th anniversary year – it was as if the sun settled on that time in 1965. We were young, life was full of possibilities and Les Cousins felt like the centre of the universe. So much wonderful music, creativity and connections sparked and grew from that small Soho basement. And in the years since the influence of the club hasn’t diminished – it continues to inspire new musicians.”

Artists performing in this special event who performed on the famous stage will include USA-based Bridget St John, Steve Tilston, Ian A. Anderson and John Altman while among the new voices embracing the ethos of Les Cousins will be Yorkshire’s progressive folk singer-songwriter /guitarist Katie Spencer, Glasgow-born guitarist and songwriter Sam Grassie ,Welsh triple harpist Cerys Hafana and Yorkshire’s Henry Parker and Cardiff’s David Ian Roberts – a duo who met in 2019 while touring their respective folk-influenced solo albums and quickly discovered a shared musical language rooted in the acoustic innovations of Nick Drake, John Martyn and early Genesis.

Says Wilks: “The special anniversary line-up brings together artists who stood on the Cousins stage alongside new voices who embody its fearless spirit. Together they will form a living tribute to a venue that became the beating heart of the British folk underground.”

England’s most easterly folk festival will run from August 15-17 at its new home – the stunning Sotterley Hall estate near the market town of Beccles.

Among other artists already announced are Kathryn Tickell and The Darkening, Will Pound, Delia Stevens and Robert Macfarlane, Penguin Cafe, Sheelanagig, The Longest Johns, The Rheingans Sisters, Jimmy Aldridge and Sid Goldsmith and Tarren.

With more names still to be added to the eclectic line-up weekend tickets are now on sale – prices are £180 (adults aged 18-64), £170 (65 and over) and £100 for Youth tickets (12-17 years) which must be purchased with an adult ticket. Family weekend tickets for two adults and two 12-17 year olds are £515.

FolkEast continues its great tradition of offering free admission for children aged 11 and under. 

Ticket link: https://folkeast.co.uk/tickets-4/

For further information please visit:  www.folkeast.co.uk

Jon Wilks and Diana Matheou will be taking to Mark Radcliffe about Les Cousins on tomorrow Nights Radio 2 Folk Show.  The show page is here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0029r49