Folk On The Coast Festival free to attend as part of Wirral’s Borough of Culture 2024 celebrations

As part of the Wirral Borough of Culture 2024, the highly anticipated Folk On The Coast festival will be offering tickets for free, giving everyone the chance to experience the rich heritage of folk music without the cost.

Folk On The Coast will be held at New Brighton’s Floral Pavilion from 13 – 15 September with a packed program of performances, workshops, exhibitions, and special talks.

The festival features a stellar line-up of musical performances, from folk legends to rising stars, such as Martin Carthy, Martyn Joseph, Martin Simpson, The Bar-Steward Sons of Val Doonican, and many more.

Much of the folk music heritage of the local area derived from sea shanties sung by sailors and their families throughout history. Folk On The Coast is a proud supporter of the RNLI, who are celebrating their 200 year anniversary this year. Local Lifeboat Station representatives have been invited as special guests, with opportunities for festival attendees to donate to the cause.

Weekend tickets worth £130 are now available online for free, book now to guarantee entry, though on the day walk-ins are also welcome!

Floral Pavilion’s Venue Manager, Pauline Campbell, said:

“We are thrilled at the opportunity to share our passion for folk music. We’re proud to be a part of the Liverpool City Region Borough of Culture initiative by making Folk On The Coast accessible to all. The festival is a fantastic opportunity to learn about the history of the region and get involved with folk culture locally, as well as across the UK and beyond!”

Full weekend line-up:

Friday

Ceilidh – The Final Nails, SPLIT LEVELmusic, John Walsh (Cream of the Barley) with Jo Pue, Gerry Murphy, Liz Owen, The Skylarks, Raphael Callaghan, Bread Hotel

Workshop: An Introduction to DADGAD on Guitar with Phil Chisnall

Workshop: Poetry – ‘Where the Thunder of the Wild Waves Call’ with Alison Schultz

Special Event: Mind The Step Appalachian Dancers

Special Event: Mersey Arts Zone Art Exhibition

Saturday

Martyn Joseph, Martin Carthy, Cole Stacey, James Delarre & Saul Rose, Mikey Kenney, Katie Nicholas, The Far North

Q&A: Keith Wilson

Q&A: Cole Stacey

Special Event: Keith Wilson (Spoken Word)

Special Event: Martyn Joseph Songwriting Talk

Special Event: Mersey Arts Zone Art Exhibition

Sunday

Martin Simpson, Jackie Oates and John Spiers, Jon Wilks, The Bar-Steward Sons of Val Doonican, Gilmore & Roberts, Joe Topping, Maddie Morris, Jack Rutter, Douglas and Moss, Mark Pountney, Danny Bradley

Q&A: Jon Wilks with Maddie Morris

Special Event: Mersey Arts Zone Art Exhibition

For more info on Folk On The Coast click here.

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