Lyme Folk Weekend is back with a bang this summer, once again featuring some of the country’s leading lights in the folk world as well as the very best local talent, and finishing with a brilliant and unmissable family show.
The festival had a hugely succesful first outing last August with crowds enjoying the beautiful late summer sunshine, flocking to Lyme Regis as the Dorset town came alive with music and dancing.
And this year’s event, from August 29-31, looks like being even better, with three fabulous Marine Theatre shows, great live music nightly on the Pilot Boat second stage, Morris parade including the return of the amazing Steampunk Morris, street theatre, busking, singarounds, story-telling and countless other activities and attractions.
One extra special event is the premiere of a brand new mummers play, the Monmouth Mummers, written by local playwright Harry Ford and telling the story of the Monmouth rebellion. The ‘summer mummer’ will follow the path of the 1685 events, stopping on the very spots where history was made more than 300 years ago.
Tickets are already on sale for the three Marine Theatre shows, which kick off on Friday August 29 with the legendary Martin Simpson, widely acknowledged as one of the finest acoustic guitarists in the world. Multi-award winner Martin’s solo shows are intense, eclectic, spellbinding, and deeply moving.
Also appearing on Friday night is Jim Causley, a massive favourite from last summer’s festival, Jim returns to charm us once again, this time as part of a brand new duo with guitarist Lukas Drinkwater.
Saturday night brings an opportunity to see the wonderful Lisa Knapp, firmly established as one of the most creative and distinctive artists around. Her critically acclaimed album, Hidden Seam, includes the haunting Two Ravens, winner this year of Best Original Song at the Radio 2 Folk Awards. She is bringing her band to Lyme, the perfect setting for her beautiful, dramatic and adventurous songwriting.
Also back due to popular demand are Ducie, who blew audiences away last summer. The Mancunian quartet are here again with their thrillingly unique virtuoso style. Don’t miss it.
And finally to Sunday afternoon – hold on to your hats for the wonderful Demon Barbers XL, we guarantee you’ve never experienced anything quite like it.
The Barbers bring their no-holds-barred approach to the concert stage with a modern new twist on their award-winning Roadshow. Come and see the UK’s most exciting young folk, hip hop and break dancers in the live folk music spectacular of the year. Truly one for all the family.
For tickets and more information, visit www.lymefolk.com or call Lyme Regis Tourist Information Centre on 01297 442138.
