Over 100 folk, roots and acoustic acts and almost 450 performers have been confirmed for the inaugural Folk Festival on the Dock, which takes place at Albert Dock Liverpool over the August Bank Holiday weekend (August 26-29).
Headline artists for the free festival include a mixture of established and up-and-coming names in folk, acoustic, sea shanty and roots music, including – The Lost Brothers and Laura J Martin (presented by Bido Lito!), Blair Dunlop, Benji Kirkpatrick, Gilmore & Roberts, Alasdair Roberts Trio, Tom Kitching and John Loomes, Merry Hell, Winter Wilson, Trim Rig and a Doxy, Geoff Higginbottom, Sam Lyon, Pete Riley, Elfin Bow, Smiling Riley, Off The Grid, Alan Burke, James J Turner, Reid Anderson, Lowri Evans, Alex Hulme and The Goat Roper Rodeo Band – with BBC Radio 2 DJ, Janice Long, announced as the host of the main Dock Stage at Hartley Quay.
Ticketed events at Tate Liverpool include The Christians performing an acoustic set on Friday, August 26 (at £20 per person), while local legend, Henry Priestman, will be joined by rising star, Sam Winston, on the Saturday evening (August 27) – tickets are £12 and available now by visiting the Tate Liverpool website.
Part of the Albert Dock Liverpool 175 strategy, and supported by Liverpool City Council, Folk Festival on the Dock will also feature the premier of a brand new sea shanty for the modern day. Commissioned by Albert Dock, and written by Jason Ellis and Kathryn Rudge, Our Liverpool Song will be performed during a unique choral event on the Sunday (August 28, at 12.30pm). Voices on the Water will see choirs singing the new song across the Colonnades at Albert Dock, paying homage to the role Liverpool has played in importing and exporting folk music around the world via the seas and its waterways.
A second free stage will provide a platform to promote new and local talent in Anchor Courtyard. The Stan Ambrose Stage has been launched and named in tribute to the long-running BBC Radio Merseyside host of Folkscene, who recently passed away. Stan was renowned for his passion for encouraging emerging talent.
Clare Rawlinson, marketing manager, Albert Dock Liverpool, said:
“Folk Festival on the Dock will bring together the city’s rich music and maritime heritage in a wonderful music celebration to see out the summer. We have been overwhelmed by the number of acts wanting to perform at the event – all incredible talents on the international folk, roots and acoustic scene and with huge followings within the genre. It is going to be a fantastic weekend for families and music lovers alike!”
Elsewhere, the celebrated Liverpool Shanty Festival will form part of the event, showcasing international shanty artists, while Albert Dock’s pay-per-minute social space, Ziferblat, will host Folk by the Minute, presented by Liverpool Acoustic, across two afternoons (August 27 and 28). Paying for the time you spend inside, visitors enjoy unlimited coffee, cake, and on this occasion, live folk music from the likes of Chris Callander, Ade Jackson, David Neville King and Derek King. Ziferblat will also host two ticketed evening shows – featuring award-winning, rising star, Robert Vincent (August 27), and The Southbound Attic Band performing their magical mix of English, Irish and American inspired folk songs (August 28).
Councillor Wendy Simon, assistant mayor and cabinet member for culture, tourism and events, said:
“This new event is an exciting addition to the city’s programme of festivals. As a UNESCO music city we embrace music to suit all tastes and Folk Festival on the Dock will add to our reputation in this field.”
Visitors are encouraged to learn the words to Our Liverpool Song, and can view the lyrics by clicking here.
To view the full programme, visit the Albert Dock website. Join us on Twitter – @theAlbertDock #FolkDock16