Folk stars flock to city for festival

The ninth Derby Folk Festival is to take place in the city centre from October 2-4.

At last year’s festival, nearly 2,000 people attended the main events and thousands more enjoyed many of the free fringe events that took place throughout the Cathedral Quarter and St Peters Quarter.

Concerts and events for this year’s are due to take place in the City Marquee on the Market Place, theGuildhall Theatre, The Old Bell Hotel and, new for this year, Derby Cathedral.

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The festival will once again take to the city’s streets, with dance teams performing on the Saturday and Sunday, as the festival team work with Folk 3D to put together a fabulous display of traditional dance.

Free music events will take place in The Old Bell Hotel on Saturday, and Derby Cathedral on Sunday, which will be available to be enjoyed by both festival ticket holders and the general public alike.

The Market Place will host more fringe activities including The Arts and Crafts Fair, Flashmob Ceilidh dancing and more.

Cllr Alison Martin, Derby City Council’s cabinet member for leisure and culture said: “2014 saw our most successful folk festival ever. We’re now looking ahead with excitement to this autumn and the ninth outing of the Derby Folk Festival.”

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Derby Folk Festival is jointly produced by Derby City Council’s Derby LIVE and Derbyshire-based PR Promotions and they have yet another strong line-up for this year’s festival.

Kathryn Roberts and Sean Lakeman will headline the Friday evening, with the ever popular Eddi Reader performing on the Saturday night. Sunday night sees a final concert featuring both Faustus and Melrose Quartet.

Kathryn Roberts and Sean Lakeman are two of the British folk scenes most accomplished performers and have graced stages the world over in a number of guises, however, the intimacy and strength of passion shown as a duo, combined with an eclectic repertoire ensures a rare treat for any listener.

With a story that includes music making with the likes of Seth Lakeman, Cara Dillon, Levellers, Kate Rusby and Show of Hands, Kathryn and Sean have consolidated themselves as pillars of modern British folk.

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From the traditional to the contemporary, Eddi Reader brings joyous life to all forms of song.

The warmly remembered Fairground Attraction really brought her into the limelight and to the attention of a much wider audience, with the single Perfect and parent album First of a Million Kisses both topping the British charts.

Her passion and instinct move people in a way reminiscent of those who have influenced her work.

Her rare blend of meltingly true vocals and towering romanticism combine with an astute and pragmatic nature to make her a unique and powerful figure in contemporary British music. She has effortlessly developed into one of popular music’s most thrilling and affecting performers.

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Multiple BBC Radio 2 Folk Award winners Nancy Kerr and James Fagan join forces with legendary Sheffield duo Richard and Jess Arrowsmith (Crucible, Hekety, Pecsaetan) to form Melrose Quartet – a band who are capturing imaginations with their bold take on old and new English songs and tunes. Glorious four-part harmony singing combines with crunchy twin fiddles, full-bodied melodeon and powerful bouzouki in a set that will leave your heart singing and your feet tapping.

Their live performances infect audiences with the warmth and sparkle that these four seasoned musicians feel when they unite.

Derby Folk Festival patrons John Tams and Lucy Ward will both make an appearance at the festival.

Festival tickets are available from derbylive.co.uk or you can book in person at the Derby LIVE Box Office, Market Place, Derby, or call 01332 255800.

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