ARTISTS

the last 6 years. Ben started playing guitar aged 7, at Rochdale Music Service.

Flying Dodos from Thingumajig Theatre

Despite all the odds, an unknown subspecies of the dodo has been discovered! Much larger than their extinct cousins and able to fly (sort of), Charles and Amelia, two relics of a bygone era, are very excited to be travelling the world to see what they’ve been missing and are looking forward to joining in with the kids activities, Morris dancing and general mayhem on the Saturday of the Folk Festival.

Frank Burkitt Band Duo

Frank is a storyteller, songwriter, singer and guitarist. His rambling anecdotes aim to give the audience more of a connection with his songs. Songs that try to convey his busy thoughts on life, pub anecdotes and his persistent frustration with the state of the world. Kara has endured (willingly) 19 years of companionship with Frank and, she sings beautifully, both in harmony and, lead vocals, and also plays the flute.

Isaac Hughes Dennis

Isaac Hughes-Dennis is a politi-folk comedy musician and occasional magician who combines eloquent wit, upbeat tunes and bold political statements for the pleasure and entertainment of any given audience.

Described as ‘Tim Minchin on steroids’ and ‘The most un-politically correct young person’, Isaac Hughes-Dennis is not one to be missed.

John Haycock

John Haycock is a multiinstrumental live-looping artist, passionate about affecting acoustic sounds with electronics, exploring new sonority. John takes his home made kora (21-string African harp) and runs it through a series of electronic devices creating lush soundscapes and solid beats. Overlaid with woodwind instruments, the music bridges the gap between ancient West African folk melodies and modern electronica, with influences from hip-hop to house and dub along the way. John has been studying kora closely under the master Gambian griot Jali Nyonkoling Kuyateh for several years having also spent time In West Africa absorbing the culture. Through this relationship John not only learned how to play the kora, but also how to construct the instrument, and is able to guide anyone searching for a kora of their own.

Laiba Khan

Laiba is the winner of our Youth Competition. Singing in both English and Urdu, Laiba finds strength and joy through her music and feels she is truly in her element when performing. She stunned audiences at the Youth Award concert in January and will be opening our Saturday night concert accompanied by her sister Anaya.

Monkey Box

Monkey Box are an energetic ceilidh trio from Manchester. Composed of Tom Kitching (Pilgrims’ Way, Albireo, Gavin Davenport), Edwin Beasant (Pilgrims’ Way, Jabadaw, Ironmasters) and Pete Crowther (Melandra, Albireo), Monkey Box creates a sound larger than it has any right to do. Chunky English rhythms underpin great dance tunes for a feel-good ceilidh experience. Caller - Lisa

Heywood

Mary and Anahata

Mary Humphreys and Anahata, now living in West Yorkshire, are known nationally for their research into historical manuscript sources. They have unearthed and brought back to vivid life some rare gems of English song and dance music. Their repertoire has a particular emphasis on the East Anglian region, where they lived for many years. They have come out of retirement since