As FolkEast prepares for its 12th year, the beloved folk festival will make its final appearance at the idyllic Glemham Hall Estate in Suffolk. Scheduled from August 15th to 18th, 2024, the festival promises an unforgettable experience with a stellar lineup of artists, diverse musical influences, and an array of engaging activities.
A Lineup to Remember
This year’s lineup features a mix of established and emerging artists, ensuring a dynamic and entertaining experience for all attendees. Among the newly announced acts is The Dhol Foundation, led by the energetic Johnny Kalsi. Known for their bhangra beats, they will bring a vibrant and rhythmic performance to the Sunset stage on Saturday.
Adding to the international flavor, Swedish sister act Baskery, renowned for their unique blend of alt-Americana and folk rock, will captivate the audience with their playful and stylish sound. Also returning to the festival is Katherine Priddy, a bonafide star in the UK folk scene. Her latest album, The Pendulum Swing, has been critically acclaimed, and her live performance is highly anticipated.
The festival will kick off on Thursday evening with a performance by Track Dogs from Madrid. Their infectious blend of folk, Latino, Americana, and roots music is sure to set a buoyant tone for the weekend. Other notable names include Kris Drever, Peter Knight’s Gigspanner Big Band, and the young English folk trio Granny’s Attic.
The festival’s patrons, The Young’uns, will be joined by award-winning songwriter Sean Cooney and guitarist Sam Carter for a special performance. The lineup also features Melrose Quartet, Fay Hield Trio, Rag Mama Rag, King Driscolls, Angeline Morrison Band, cellist-singer Sarah Smout, Windjammer, Blowzabella, Topette!!, and Suffolk’s own Honey and the Bear. One of British folk’s most innovative artists, Jim Moray, will also grace the stage with his band.
Full Lineup
Here is the full lineup for FolkEast 2024. Note that the performance days and times for each artist will be updated nearer the time, with a full listing here on Tradfolk. Bookmark this page!
Thursday night
- Trackdogs
Friday
- Kris Drever Band
- Katherine Priddy
- Granny’s Attic
- Peter’s Field – Sean Cooney, Eliza Carthy & Sam Carter
- Nick Hart & Tom Moore
- Mishra
- Hedera
- George Boomsma Band
- Stumpy Oak (family ceilidh)
- False Colours
- Wise Woman
- Bof!
- John & Lynne Ward
- Will Silver
- John Row in conversation with Hugh Lupton
- Patrick Hill
- Knoydart Collective
- Blackshore Collective
Saturday
- The Dhol Foundation
- Jim Moray Band
- Fay Hield Trio
- Blowzabella
- Baskery
- Martin Carthy in conversation with Jon Wilks
- Honey & the Bear
- Windjammer
- The King Driscolls
- Rag Mama Rag
- Jennifer Reid
- Sam Carter
- Sarah Smout
- Paper Sparrows
- Melrose Quartet (family ceilidh)
- Brown Boots Boogie
- Made to Measure Theatre
- Bridget Cousins
- Kimberely Moore
- Knoydart Collective
Sunday
- The Gigspanner Big Band
- Angeline Morrison & the Sorrow Songs Band
- Melrose Quartet
- Rhythms of Migration – Freedom to Roam & Ballet Folk
- Awake Arise (a midsummer celebration with Lady Maisery, Jimmy Aldridge & Sid Goldmsith)
- The Drystones
- Rag Mama Rag
- Folk Detectives
- The Bloomfield Family Band
- Topette!!
- Dance Folkus (family ceilidh)
- Silver Street
- Norfolk Broads
- Adrian Zolotuhin & Eddie Hession
- Charley Bath
Tradfolk Takeover
Tradfolk, the festival’s official media partner, returns with its Tradfolk Takeover on Sunday. Curated by editor/folk musician, Jon Wilks, the event will highlight some of the most exciting traditional folk musicians. The headline act for this year’s takeover is none other than the “Queen of the Whirl,” Eliza Carthy, MBE. Known for her illustrious 30-year career in the English folk revival, Carthy will perform solo, showcasing the power and beauty of her songs.
Other acts in the Tradfolk Takeover include Maddie Morris, winner of the 2019 BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Award; the six-piece Goblin Band, known for their fusion of traditional and medieval music; captivating singer Holly Clarke; award-winning piper and fiddler Malin Lewis; and the duo Louis Campbell and Owen Spafford, known for their emotive and textured performances.
The full Tradfolk Takeover stage lineup is:
- Eliza Carthy
- Goblin Band
- Maddie Morris
- Malin Lewis Duo
- Louis Campbell & Owen Spafford
- Holly Clarke
A Fond Farewell to Glemham Hall Estate
FolkEast has called Glemham Hall Estate its home since 2013, and the site has played a significant role in the festival’s charm and popularity. However, with the estate currently up for sale, FolkEast must bid farewell to this picturesque location. Becky Marshall-Potter, co-founder and organizer of FolkEast, expressed her gratitude for the time spent at Glemham Hall: “It’s been a privilege to stage FolkEast at the great Glemham Hall estate for the last 11 years and to be part of its history. We hope as many people as possible will come to help us celebrate our 12th year at this special place.”
Looking Ahead
While the farewell to Glemham Hall is bittersweet, the future of FolkEast remains bright. The organizers are exploring new locations to continue the festival’s tradition of offering a unique and friendly folk experience. Attendees can stay tuned for updates on the festival’s next chapter.
Tickets and Accommodations
Advance weekend tickets are available now, with prices set at £165 for adults (18-64), £155 for over 65s, and £100 for youths (12-17) when purchased with an adult ticket. Family weekend tickets for two adults and two 12-17-year-olds are priced at £475. FolkEast continues its tradition of offering free admission for children aged 11 and under. Camping options include tent camping for £25, tent camping with a vehicle for £40, and caravan/camper van/motorhome camping for £40-£60.
Located close to the A12, the festival will run shuttle buses from Wickham Market station, ensuring easy access for attendees.
For more information, tickets, and updates, visit FolkEast’s official website.
