This is not a complete list by any means – it’s a selection of the artists we have confirmed so far, and it's not in any particular order, so scroll down for some surprises, or click the links above to take you to the section you're interested in.

Click here to download the full list, with cross-references to the events they are performing in, and click here to download the event details.

Fre-Festival events
 

John Shuttleworth plus special guest
Thursday 29 July 8pm Ham Marquee £17/15
Character comedy at its finest. The Sheffield pop legend, currently starring in the 5th series of Radio 4's The Shuttleworths, is putting his Yamaha keyboard under his arm and heading south for his Sidmouth debut!  Expect all his classic hits: Pigeons in Flight, I Can't Go Back to Savoury Now, Eggs and Gammon, and many more.  A fun-filled night out featuring John's dead-pan wisdom and hilarious songs. 

Pre-festival events are not included in season tickets

The Temperance Seven
Friday 30 July 2pm Ham Marquee £14/£12
The Temperance 7 bring their famous syncopated jazz rhythms and legendary humour to The Ham Marquee.  Known for hits like Home in Pasadena and You're Driving Me Crazy, The Temperance 7 are a must for anyone who enjoys good-time jazz as it used to be. The spirit of the 20s and 30s is evoked with musical skill and a great sense of fun!

Concert artists

Show of Hands
Devon’s own Steve Knightley and Phil Beer are one of the finest acoustic roots duos in England. Knightley, who writes most of their inspired material and Beer, a dazzling multi instrumentalist, have built up a huge following which has seen them sell out the Royal Albert Hall three times, headline major festivals from Glastonbury to WOMAD and playing all over the world, from Europe to America, Australia and India.
‘Formidable operators in the roots arena. A class act’ The Independent

Blue Murder
Consisting of Martin Carthy, Norma Waterson, Mike Waterson, Lal Waterson’s daughter Mairi Gilhooley and Coope, Boyes and Simpson, Blue Murder is a folk super-group famed for its brilliant take on traditional vocal harmony. These days they only get together about once a year, so we’re delighted to be hosting one of their rare outings at this year’s festival.

Bellowhead
Nominated for Best Group and Best live Act at the 2010 BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards, Bellowhead are a mighty, star-studded force in the world of contemporary folk. Their big, brassy sound is perfect for the Bulverton – you won’t be able to keep still!

Cordelia’s Dad
The original purveyors of punk-tinged Americana are back for one almighty reunion gig! Led by fiddle dynamo Tim Eriksen, Cordelia’s Dad were stalwarts of the festival scene in the late 90s. Their reunion is already one of the most anticipated dates on next year’s folk calendar. Don’t miss it.

Andy Cutting and Friends
Melodeon genius Andy Cutting has been the lynchpin of many a classic folk line-up, and in Andy Cutting and Friends at the Ham Marquee, he will be united onstage with some of his best musical mates, including Martin Simpson, Chris Wood, Ian Carr and June Tabor.

Eliza Carthy and Saul Rose
Eliza and Saul are two of the best-loved performers on the UK festival scene, and there is nothing they love more than performing together. They have a unique rapport, and bounce off each other musically with wonderful energy and style.

Julie Fowlis
Since being presented with her award as BBC Radio 2 Folk Singer of the Year 2008 by KT Tunstall, Julie Fowlis has continues to win over legiouns of fans with her lively, passionate, and utterly accessible renditions of traditional Gaelic songs. She won Gaelic Singer Of The Year & Album Of The Year at the Scots Trad Music Awards 2007 and was nominated three years in a row as BBC Radio 2 Folk Singer of the Year (and was the first ever Scottish Gaelic singer to win this prestigious award).
She is perhaps most proud of her designation as Scotland's first Gaelic Ambassador - "Tosgaire na Gàidhlig", bestowed by the Scottish Parliament in 2008.

Jackie Oates
Jackie Oates is a singer and fiddle player hailing from Staffordshire, though these days she is based in Devon. Her unique treatment of English ballads and songs, and pure, haunting singing style has won her well-deserved attention in recent years: she won two BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards in 2009, and is nominated for three more in 2010 for her glorious third album, Hyperboreans.

Mawkin: Causley
Essex instrumentalists Mawkin and BBC Radio 2 horizon nominee Jim Causley have come together to create one hell of a boy band! Mawkin’s combination of punchy melodeon, driving violin, earthy guitar and solid bass complements perfectly Jim Causley’s honeyed baritone voice. But this is also a group of young guys who love to have a laugh, so their live performances are always unique and really good fun!

Breabach
Breabach’s huge sound is dominated by the twin Bagpipes of Calum MacCrimmon and Donal Brown. This uncompromising force is complemented by the extraordinary fiddle playing of Patsy Reid and is further supported by the charismatic yet propulsive guitar playing of Ewan Robertson, named BBC Young Traditional Musician of the Year 2008. They brought the house down at Sidmouth 2008, so we’ve invited them back!

Kerfuffle
Four of the finest young musicians on the folk scene today. Fiddler Sam Sweeney, accordionist, singer and clog dancer Hannah James, guitarist Jamie Roberts and bass player Tom Sweeney perform traditional songs and tunes with immense vitality and style.

Brass Monkey
No one sounds like Brass Monkey! Martin Carthy and John Kirkpatrick have an ease and precision that can only come of playing together for over thirty years. Sharing vocals, they bring the fruits of years of experience to this band with an explosive freshness. Paul Archibald, Martin Brinsford and Roger Williams add trombone, trumpet, euphonium, mouth organ and percussion to create one of the best-loved collaborations in the English music scene.

Belshazzar’s Feast
One of the most accomplished – and silliest – collaborations on the folk scene, Pauls Sartin and Hutchinson create performances that are sophisticated, eclectic and eccentric. Mozart meets Playford by way of Elvis and The Spinners…you have been warned!

Martin Simpson
Widely acknowledged as one of the finest acoustic and slide guitar players in the world, Martin’s interpretations of traditional songs are masterpieces of storytelling. His solo shows are intense, eclectic, spellbinding and deeply moving. With a record 6 BBC Radio 2 Folk Award nominations under his belt, 2010 could really be his year!

Chris Wood
Handmade Life is the name for singer, guitarist and songwriter Chris Wood’s new tour and album. One of the finest songwriters the English folk scene has ever produced, Chris has written and recorded ten beautiful and powerful new songs for the new album, and he will be showcasing these and other songs from his repertoire in a solo concert.

O’Hooley and Tidow
Belinda O’Hooley is best known as the former songwriter and pianist with Rachel Unthank & the Winterset (now The Unthanks). Since leaving the band, the stark, haunting piano arrangements she brought to the Mercury-nominated album The Bairns have evolved and migrated to her new duo with Yorkshire songwriter Heidi Tidow. These dapper-suited gentlewomen have an unconventional, wryly observant take on life, creating their very own brand of contemporary folk song together with a stage manner likened to Jo Brand meets Laurel & Hardy.

Nancy Kerr and James Fagan
Both descended from formidable folk dynasties, Nancy and James are regarded as fine singers as well as being great exponents of their instruments (fiddle, viola and guitar-bouzouki). 2010 marks the 15th year of this electrifying duo. Wherever they play, Kerr and Fagan make meet new friends and fans, as their love of live performance is tangible and affirming.

Barry Coope and John Tams
John Tams has had a diverse and fascinating career, from his role in TV’s Sharpe with Sean Bean to creating the music for the acclaimed National Theatre production of War Horse to being musical director of the 2006 Radio Ballads. Barry Coope provides sensitive accompaniment and harmonies for Johns lovely repertoire of songs, which are delivered with passion and humour.

The Fay Hield Trio
Ex-Elswick Witch Fay is joined by Sam Sweeney (Bellowhead, Kerfuffle) and Rob Harbron (English Acoustic Collective, Jon Boden and the Remnant Kings) on fiddles, concertina, and nickleharpa.

The Music of Bagpuss
"Bagpuss, Dear Bagpuss, Old Fat Furry Catpuss…” Did you know that Sandra Kerr and John Faulkner composed and performed all the music for the classic BBC kids' show Bagpuss? Sandra was the voice of Madeleine the Ragdoll and several of the mice, while John was Gabriel the Toad. Re-live those classic songs in a great show for kids of all ages. Original cast members Sandra and John are joined by Nancy Kerr (playing Emily) and James Fagan (Professor Yaffle the Woodpecker). An interactive and often hilarious performance, with loads of chances to join in, "Bagpuss" is a wonderful nostalgic show suitable for all ages.

Daimh
Over 36 feet tall and weighing more than 1/2 a ton: Dàimh, The ultimate Scottish, Irish, Cape Breton, Californian group! The charging pipe and fiddle led assault that has seen the 'Pirates of Puirt' rocking far and wide is now joined by the vocals of Gaelic Singer of the year nominee 2006, Calum Alex MacMillan from Lewis. The depth and power of Gaelic song strengthens an already phenomenal instrumental arsenal.

Shooglenifty
The mighty Shooglenifty is one of Scotland's unique exports. This Edinburgh-based six-piece is credited for being the originators of 'acid-croft', a fiery and infectious blend of Celtic traditional music and dance grooves that the band describes as "hypno-folkadelic ambient trad.” Their mainly instrumental sound is best experienced live - audiences can’t help falling under their musical spell.

Salsa Celtica
Salsa Celtica's synthesis of Scottish and Irish traditional music with the Latin American elements of salsa has taken the whole world by storm. Their albums have topped the New York and L.A. salsa charts and European world music charts, Their lineup combines some of Scotland and Ireland's most exciting traditional musicians with a stellar group of world, jazz and salsa musicians from the U.K. and Latin America.  Salsa Celtica is a stunning combination of virtuosity and energy, making them one of the most exciting live bands around.

Talbot McCusker Hewerdine
Having cut her teeth as lead singer with Irish American all-female outfit Cherish The Ladies, Heidi Talbot is right at home in the twin worlds of Irish traditional and roots music. She is joined by award-winning multi-instrumentalist John McCusker and Boo Hewerdine on guitar for a trio that oozes class and musical sophistication.

Jim Moray Acoustic Trio
Since graduating from Birmingham Conservatoire in summer 2003, Jim Moray has caused a revolution in the folk world with a series of award-winning albums, a Mercury Prize nomination, and a developing career as a producer. His acoustic trio creates a pared-down sound, with a focus on sharp, fresh interpretations of traditional song.

Michael McGoldrick’s Future Trad Collective
Over the years Michael has been a member of Toss the Feathers, Flook and Lunasa, toured with Afro Celt Sound System and the Kate Rusby Band, and for the last 9 years he’s been a full time member of Capercaillie. But FTC is something completely different: traditional live music is fused with Afro-Cuban rhythms, tabla-driven funk, Flamenco, Samba, hiphop, house, reggae, disco, breakbeat and jungle. It’s a heady cocktail of sounds and influences that will have you dancing all night long!

Voice of the People: Ralph Vaughan Williams and Folksong
Coope Boyes and Simpson, Jo Freya, Fi Fraser and Georgina Boyes sing songs collected by Vaughan Williams, interlinked with his characteristically perceptive descriptions – the result is a first-hand account of an exciting period in English music. It’s a rare chance to hear the original sources of some of the composer’s best-loved music, as well as lesser known songs and carols.

Jon Boden and the Remnant Kings
Bellowhead and Spiers & Boden’s Jon Boden (BBC Radio 2 Folk Singer of the Year) made one of 2009’s finest albums with Songs From the Floodplain.  With his band The Remnant Kings, Jon will be showcasing some of the album’s exceptional self-penned songs.

Pete Coe
With a vast repertoire of traditional & original songs, dance tunes & dances playing bouzouki, melodeon, dulcimer, banjo & step percussion, Pete has been described as a one-man folk industry. He will be playing in various concerts during the week, as well as leading workshops.

Jeff Warner
The son of celebrated American folksong collectors Anne and Frank Warner, Jeff Warner has an amazing repertoire drawn from the Outer Banks fishing villages of North Carolina the lumber camps of the Adirondack Mountains and the whaling ports of New England. He conveys his music with warmth and authenticity, and is a wonderful workshop leader.

Sara Grey and Kieron Means
Mother and Son Sara and Kieron have a wonderful repertoire of American traditional songs, and an intuitive way of playing and singing together. Sara also performs and run workshops with Brian Peters, and together they will explore songs which have migrated across the sea to America.

Zimbaremabwe
have performed with the likes of Thomas Mapfumo, The Wailers and Black Umfolosi. Originating from a small town near Harare, this wonderful musical collective, led by mbira master Linus Wengara Magaya play an uplifting mix of traditional and original mbira-reggae style music on marimba, mbira, mosho and bass.

Asere
Drawing their inspiration from traditional Cuban son, seven young musicians came together in the 1990s to create music with a contemporary edge that also maintained the feeling of the songs performed by their forefathers. The result is totally accessible music with a vibrant, feel-good groove.

Rachael McShane Band
Rachael McShane is best known as the cellist, singer, fiddle player (and only girl!) in 11-piece folk big-band Bellowhead. Her debut album is rich with tales of many men, ranging from kind-hearted, well-meaning gentlemen to thieves, mysterious strangers and somewhat sinister characters. However, it is the shrewd and audacious women who shine through.

Spiro
This contemporary acoustic ensemble first came together through Bristolʼs folk sessions scene in 1993. Their first album for Real World Records, Lightbox, is extraordinarily stirring. Recorded over four days at Real World Studios and largely produced by Simon Emmerson (the chief architect behind the Afro Celt Sound System and The Imagined Village projects), it showcases a highly imaginative and highly disciplined group with a sound thatʼs unified but never uniform. All four instruments pull in the same direction, creating music thatʼs intricate yet full of momentum, echoing – at various points – the work of Steve Reich, Michael Nyman and the Penguin Café Orchestra. This is the music of Spiro – undeniably English, undeniably theirs.

Koshka
Russian Gypsy fire and flair! What distinguishes Koshka is not only the individual members’ stunning virtuosity, but also the fact that violinist Oleg Ponomarev is widely recognised as one of the leading composers of contemporary world music. "Koshka's claim to Celtic Connections fame is as the only group to receive two standing ovations at this year's festival's late-night club…” GlASGOW HERALD

Tyde
Tyde are a 3 piece that draw upon influences from every corner of the British Isles and beyond to deliver music and song that is dynamic, fresh and quite brilliantly played. In 2008, as finalists in the BBC Radio2 Young Folk Awards they captured the hearts of the live and broadcast audience. Tyde’s hotly anticipated debut album will be launched in spring 2010 by Mrs Casey Records. “Watch out Lau!” Spiral Earth

The Old Fashioned
Music from 1600 to 2010! A new trio comprising Fi Fraser (violin, clarinet), Howard Mitchell (double bass, melodeon, concertina) and Pete Bullock (piano).

Cupola
Cupola brings together Sarah Matthews, Doug Eunson and Oli Matthews as a new three-piece playing English and European dance music, and singing English songs in three-part harmony. Melodeons, fiddles, viola, soprano saxophone, vocals, clarinet and hurdy-gurdy combine effortlessly with sublime harmonies. Cupola Dance Band has the Cupola Trio at its core, plus the lovely Ian Wilson (of Peeping Tom – mandola player and caller) and the percussionist from Mas y Mas, Rich Kensington.

Horkey Night
A Horkey is a traditional East Anglian night out, with singing, dancing, music, and a few surprises! Come along and enjoy an old fashioned knees-up, featuring Mary Humphreys and Anahata.

Bryony Griffith and Will Hampson
Known primarily for their work with the Demon Barbers, Bryony (fiddle, vocals) and Will (melodeon) are an exciting new duo.

Hannah James and Sam Sweeney
Hannah (accordion, voice and clogs) and Sam (fiddle, viola, and voice) have been playing together for almost 8 years in Kerfuffle. More recently known for their work with Bellowhead and the Demon Barber Roadshow, their debut album as a duo, Catches & Glees, is out now.

Bob and Gill Berry
Known for their stellar work as the directors of Chippenham Folk Festival, Bob and Gill are also wonderful singers, entertainers and MCs.

Taffy Thomas
The UK’s first Storytelling Laureate is well known to us in Sidmouth! Taffy will be sharing his delightful  stories for old and young alike. Choose a picture from his marvellous, magical Tale Coat and listen as he brings it to life.

Debs Newbold
Debs Newbold emerged from her native Birmingham armed with a bucketload of stories and songs from her Anglo-Irish family, a dirty laugh and a way with an audience. Strong, skilled and brimming with charisma, Debs can command an audience of 1000 at Shakespeare's Globe or light up the very tiniest performing space. She can enthral a 75 year old and charm a 5 year old – at the same time, if you dare her to!

Roger Watson
Roger has been a stalwart of the English folk scene for many years. He is particularly interested in how English music and dance relates to and can be blended with the music of other cultures, which inspires the world music ceilidh band Boka Halat. But Roger is also an inspired melodeon player and workshop leader, and he will presenting his highly popular vocal harmony workshops again this year.

Keith Kendrick and Sylvia Needham
Keith Kendrick hails from Ashbourne in Derbyshire and is a much-loved folk singer and dance musician. Sylvia is a fine and highly skilled singer in her own right with an immense and varied repertoire.

Heretique
Combining three desperately unfashionable (their words!) instruments - accordion, bagpipes and hurdy gurdy -Hérétique create music that is deeply rooted in European folk dance traditions and simultaneously pushes the boundaries of contemporary composition. Above all, their infectious energy and rhythmic drive is guaranteed to get you on your feet.

Moore, Moss, Rutter
A trio of impressive (and impressively young) musicians from England, Moore Moss and Rutter play mainly traditional English, French and contemporary tunes, but obtain influence from numerous styles and traditions. Tom Moore plays fiddle, Archie Churchill-Moss plays melodeon and Jack Rutter plays guitar and sings. 

Tom Kitching and Gren Bartley
Having met at Loughborough University through presenting a folk show on campus radio, Tom and Gren discovered a mutual wish to perform the music they loved. Gren’s rich, mature voice and mellow guitar are a counterpoint to Tom’s accomplished fiddle playing (he was a BBC Young Folk Award finalist a few years ago). Their music explores new territory while maintaining respect for the tradition.

Jonny Kearney and Lucy Farrell
A young acoustic duo combining gentle vocals, guitar and fiddle, who recently supported The Unthanks on tour and scored numerous rave reviews.

Brian Peters
Brian believes strongly in the power and relevance of traditional songs and bases his sets around them. In particular he specialises in the Child Ballads, and has produced a special live presentation based around them which he will be sharing at Sidmouth. He is a fine performer on concertina, melodeon and guitar and often collaborates with Sara Grey. They will be presenting  a workshop on songs that have migrated across the Atlantic.

Sandra Kerr
Sandra’s Festival Choir workshops are an immoveable annual date for many visitors, but Sandra is, of course, a wonderful performer as well. Her legendary status as the voice of Madeleine the Ragdoll will be celebrated in The Music of Bagpuss (also starring John Faulkner, Nancy Kerr and James Fagan), and she is one of the guests in Roy Bailey’s Hiroshima Day concert.

John Faulkner
John is known to several generations, but they may not realise it! As the voice of Gabriel the Toad in Bagpuss, he created, with Sandra Kerr, the wonderful music which helped to make the show legendary. But his career has encompassed film scores, producing, and touring the music of his native Ireland around the world.

John Kirkpatrick
BBC Radio 2 Folk Musician of the Year John Kirkpatrick is one of the most prolific figures on the English folk scene. He has established an enviable reputation as an instrumental virtuoso on the melodeon and concertina, as well as being a leading interpreter of English songs. He will be performing with his family ceilidh band, Mr Gubbins’ Bicycle, as well as in Brass Monkey, as a soloist, and leading his incredibly popular festival band workshops.

The Askew Sisters
Using fiddle and melodeon, Emily and Hazel Askew play and sing with an infectious enjoyment and love for the music. From rhythmic foot stomping tunes to powerful interpretations of songs and ballads, their playing always guarantees to engage and inspire those who hear.

Alistair Anderson
Alistair Anderson has been at the forefront of traditional music for 30 years. Internationally he is acknowledged as a master of the English Concertina and the Northumberland pipes. To celebrate the re-release of Steel Skies, his suite for traditional instruments, Alistair is running a week-long series of workshops exploring the piece, which will culminate in the workshop participants performing the piece with him on Friday.

Paul Scourfield
From his roots as a dance musician, Paul has developed into a stylish melodeon player and singer, taking material mainly from the English tradition. Paul is also a well respected workshop leader, running sessions at many festivals including Melodeons at Witney, giving insight into the mysteries of the melodeon and inspiration to participants.

John Jones and the Reluctant Ramblers
The inspirational front-man of folk rock legends Oysterband, John Jones has more recently become known as a brilliant solo performer. His debut album in 2009, Rising Road, was accompanied by Feet Don't Fail me Now, a unique tour in which he walked to several festivals, stopping off to play numerous gigs along the way. In 2010, the Reluctant Ramblers are playing a select number of “walking gigs” and festivals, and we’re delighted to welcome them back to Sidmouth.

Ray “Chopper” Cooper
Chopper is a singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, perhaps best known as the cellist in Oysterband. His first solo album, Tales of Love, War and Death by Hanging, will be released in May. The album and is mostly comprised of self-penned songs with influences drawn from his Scottish heritage and from Sweden, where he now lives.

Lynne Heraud and Pat Turner
Two of the most experienced and established harmony singers on the folk scene. They have a leaning towards traditional English material, but occasionally diversify and perform their own material and Victorian/Edwardian songs. Their interpretation of both contemporary and traditional material is sensitive, moving and has plenty of humour

Sam Carter
Armed with a 'killer voice' (Nitin Sawhney) and the ability to play his guitar 'like a harp' (Time Out), as well as an unerring ability to put his personal experiences into a wider perspective, the east London-based songsmith won the BBC Radio 2 Folk Horizon Award for Best Newcomer.

Vikki Clayton
Probably best known for appearing with Fairport Convention, Vikki Clayton has a magical voice and a sophisticated guitar style. She is an accomplished singer-songwriter whose eclectic career includes research into the Lincolnshire folk song collecting of Percy Granger, setting the poems of John Clare to music and releasing an album of the songs of Sandy Denny.

Gavin Davenport
Gavin plays guitar, cittern, mandolin and Anglo concertina as well as performing unaccompanied. His repertoire includes a number of traditional ballads, some of which are seldom heard elsewhere. Gavin has performed for the last fifteen years in various guises with acclaimed projects including Crucible, Hekety, GloryStrokes and The Grinder’s Misfortune Society as well as guesting with acts from James Raynard to Bellowhead

The Music of Cosmotheka
Dave Sealey, the remaining member of the renowned music hall duo, Cosmotheka, is joining forces with his son, Dan to recreate some of the old musical mayhem for which the original duo was so famous. Dan Sealey, having grown up with the songs, has his own take on the material. An accomplished professional musician, as bass player with Ocean Colour Scene, he is no stranger to the big stage. His guitar skills and dry wit introduce a compelling new dimension to the collaboration. Dan is determined to drag his crusty, ancient, musical relic of a father shouting and bawling into the twenty-first century.  So far, he’s winning hands down. What on earth would Harry Champion say?

KAN
Flook’s Brian Finnegan and Lau’s Aidan O'Rourke have joined forces to 'travel a daring and innovative new musical path'. Joined by guitarist Ian Stephenson and Manchester drummer Jim Goodwin, their music is fresh, exciting and original. This will be one of those great festival discoveries you don’t want to miss!

Stiltskin Theatre
Based in the South West, Stiltskin create wonderful walkabout theatre characters,  from the very tall to the very small! Look out for their enchanting presence throughout the week. They also provide wonderful circus skills workshops, and will be on hand Monday – Friday mornings in the Blackmore Gardens.

The Fosbrooks
Based at Banks Lane Junior School in Stockport and led by Liza Austin-Strange, The Fosbrooks perform traditional music, song and clog dances to a staggeringly high standard. They have appeared all over the world and at the country’s top venues, including the Royal Albert Hall, the South Bank Centre, Celtic Connections Festival, Manchester Bridgewater Hall, and Glasgow Royal Concert Hall. The group is bringing performers to Sidmouth that range in age from 11 to 21 years old. Liza Austin-Strange will also be interviewed about her work in setting up and running the Fosbrooks over the past 30 years.

The Wilsons
The legendary North-Eastern singing family makes their debut performance at Sidmouth! Known for their huge sound , fantastic regional repertoire, and the kinds of harmonies that only develop over years of family sing-arounds, the Wilsons are natural performers.  "…what appeals to me about them, apart from their musical skill, is their honesty. They are what they are and do what they do and say what they say and it's very direct and I love that. They're not pretenders." Dick Gaughan

Tha Future Traditions Showcase
The Future traditions concerts give the folk stars of today the change to present their pick of emerging talents. Jim Moray presents Sam Carter, Eliza Carthy presents Lucy Farrell & Kate Young, Andy Cutting presents Moore, Moss & Rutter, and Steve Knightley presents Jenna Witt.

World on your Doorstep (in partnership with Arts Council England and Global Local)
Global Local and the Arts Council bring us two fantastic concerts and a mainstage showcase which feature The World on Your Doorstep.
Gypsy Sound Clash,
A sampling of the best new UK-based acts experimenting with Balkan, Gypsy and Yiddish sounds.  Featuring the Shtetl Superstars, a wicked mix of Kleizmer and beats from Oi Va Voi's Lemez Lovaz, the king of UK Yiddish remix, and Victor Menace, where Gogol Bordello meets heaving hoedown!

Celebrating Sanctuary
The UK’s musical and cultural landscape wouldn’t be the bubbling, compelling hotbed of rhythms and melodies that it is without the contribution and influence of refugees and refugee communities throughout the ages. Sanctuary features artists performing traditional, modern and uniquely contemporary music from their home cultures featuring Zimbaremabwe and Ethiopa's Geata.
The World on Your Doorstep Showcase
Artists from Celebrating Sanctuary and Gypsy Sound Clash concerts on the Ham main stage.

Sidmouth Traditions

Of course, everything we present at Sidmouth has its origins in traditional music and dance. But last year, we re-introduced the hard-core traditional music and song programme that had been missing for a few years. It proved very popular, so in 2010, we are working once again with John Howson to assemble a cracking guest list. More details will be available very soon.
 

Sheila Stewart MBE
Ballad singer, storyteller and author Sheila Stewart is the last in the line of the Stewarts of Blair. She is a formidable repository of Traveller culture and her stories and ballads, learned from her parents and uncle, offer a unique insight into an almost vanished way of life.  Wise, hilarious and heart-breaking by turns, an evening with Sheila is a major event.

The Orchard Family
Jean, Tom and Ashley Orchard are from one of the best known and oldest Travelling families in the West Country. They carry a centuries-old music tradition which includes a wealth of traditional songs, music, and step-dancing, all performed with real honesty.

Four Star Trio
A modestly titled, Cork-based group, comprising Johnny McCarthy (fiddle, flute, songs), Con “Fada” Ó Drisceoil (accordion, comic songs) and Pat “Herring” Ahern (guitar, bass mandolin). Formed in 1989, the group has a special interest in the music of Sliabh Luachra, the area on the Cork/Kerry/Limerick borders famed for slides and polkas. Its sound is built around the interplay of fiddle and accordion. The Trio recorded a CD, The Square Triangle in 1997, and has played in England, France, Switzerland, Slovakia and elsewhere. The members can be heard regularly at the Wednesday night session in The Spaniard, Kinsale.

Jim Eldon
Jim Eldon, from Bridlington in Yorkshire, is known as "The Brid' Fiddler". His unique style was appreciated by Andy Kershaw, who had him play live in the studio in the late 80s/ early 90s, thereby bringing his music to a whole new audience. Locally he is known for his work on pleasure boats, entertaining holidaymakers with traditional tunes and songs as well as his unique take on pop classics like Springsteen’s Dancing in the Dark. Jim Eldon is a true English one-off.

The Watchorns
Andrew and Margaret combine lively dance tunes and lyrical slow airs with stunning harmonies and driving rhythms to create a unique sound. Inspired by the traditional music of their home county of Northumberland, their repertoire also contains a smattering of beautiful tunes from England, Scotland, Ireland and Sweden. As well as Northumbrian smallpipes, fiddle and voice, their performances also feature Swedish pipes and hummelchen. Their music, songs and anecdotes paint a truly Northumbrian picture.
"…simply beautiful …These are seriously good players." Musical Traditions
"…when Margaret plays counterpoint to Andrew's pipes, the sound sparkles." English Folk Dance and Song Society

Ceilidhs • Social Dance • Display Dance