FolkEast 2019: Preview
For three days in mid-August the well-regarded FolkEast festival returns to Glemham Hall in Suffolk, running from the 16-18th across seven stages and spanning every aspect of the folk genre from a Georgian choir, ceilidh, traditional folk, indie-folk and everything inbetween. The line-up is already impressive with more names still to be announced but among those confirmed so far are names which include: Richard Thompson, Cara Dillon, Sharon Shannon, Granny's Attic, Chela, Sheelanagig, Siobhan Miller, The Karine Polwart Trio, The Good Lovelies, Emily Mae Winters, Miniature Universe, The Spinners Legends and many more.
Cara Dillon (top-left) is one of the three headliners of FolkEast this year, alongside Richard Thompson (bottom) and Karine Polwart (top-right).
Last year I had the pleasure of jointly covering the festival for Outline Magazine and immediately upon arrival was struck by the friendly and welcoming vibe of it. From the stewards at the gates to the stallholders and fellow festival-goers there were smiles and musical appreciation everywhere one went. The friendliness in particular made a big impression on me and was an aspect as strong as the music, which is all in a beautiful, relaxed setting with an emphasis on environmental awareness. One of my favourite discoveries of the entire site was the magical area surrounding and including the Soapbox stage which is entirely powered by the 'Solar Decker', this being a former double-decker bus converted into a solar generator. By night this woodland area transforms into a gorgeously lit, atmospheric space of absolute magic which needs to be seen to be believed.
Among the seven stages is the main Sunset stage, a large and impressive structure but the site is large enough that there is enough space between all the stages that sound-bleed from a neighbouring stage never seems to be an issue and it is mainly acoustic anyway.
Aside from all the music there is plenty to see and do, children are well-catered for and there are a number of art stalls and workshops in the Art Arcade (including Print to the People and Norwich artist Sally Hirst), plentiful food outlets, and a large, refreshingly well-priced range of local ales at the beer tent.
Despite being based in the heart of Suffolk there doesn't seem to be any shortage of familiar Norwich faces who make the journey over the border, returning each year. The familiarity making this beautiful festival feel even more comfortable and friendly. It's a well-run independent and non-commercial/corporate event (which is always a big thumbs up!) and just the right size. If one travels alone, with a friend, a group or family all needs are catered for, it's clean, safe and all facilities (including free showers!) are only ever a short walk away. You can even set up camp right next to your car. We are lucky to have this festival so relatively closeby and if you like your folk music it comes highly recommended, all the stages have good sound and on my visit last year I didn't see a spot of litter the entire weekend but there was a smile everywhere I looked.
FolkEast takes place on the weekend of 16-18 August 2019 at Glemham Hall, Suffolk with tickets available online and by post.
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/folkeast-2019-tickets-52914350246
