NEXT MONTH - GATE TO SOUTHWELL MUSIC FESTIVAL 2021: THE SHOW WILL GO ON! 

At long last…live music is happening again and the long-delayed Gate To Southwell Festival will bounce back in style next month.  

Based at a beautiful new location in rural Nottinghamshire, the East Midlands’ premier folk, roots and acoustic music festival takes place from Thursday September 2nd through to Sunday September 5th.  It’ll be the much-delayed fourteenth festival and welcomes eclectic international-class artists and award winners such as The Young’uns, Gigspanner Big Band, Spain’s piper-led Anxo Lorenzo Band, celebrated duo The Breath (starring Folksinger of the Year Rioghnach Connolly), the Blair Dunlop Band (led by the award winning singer-songwriter) and re-united Bellowhead masterminds Spiers & Boden.   

Alongside more established names such as London ska stars Maroon Town, Donegal’s Henry Girls, Track Dogs, Edgelarks,  Imar, Harbottle & Jonas, The Activators, Reg Meuross, Winter Wilson, Talisk, and acclaimed singer-songwriter Chris Wood, a host of bright young folk, acoustic, blues and Americana artists will be ascending the GTSF stages.  Southwell 2021 welcomes The Wilderness Yet, the alt-country of Rainy Day Woman, Thorpe & Morrison from the Conservatoire Folk Ensemble, acclaimed young vocalist Ellie Gowers, rising folk stars the Iona Lane Band, Shropshire singer-songwriter Jessie Reid, the Anglo-Scottish traditional sounds of Janice Burns & Jon Doran and the highly-rated post-punk-ukulele of Amelia Coburn.  Plus they’ll be joined by more seasoned performers such as guitar legend Wizz Jones (name-checked by everyone from John Renbourn to Eric Clapton to Keith Richards).

After five years at Southwell Racecourse, the festival will happen on farmland at Kirklington just to the North West of Southwell with lakes, trees and plenty of green spaces.  There’s more room for camping and, for the first time, well-behaved dogs are welcome (at no extra cost) in the main arena as well as on the campsite.  Plus there are lovely rural walks nearby and there’s the scenic Robin Hood Way, linking Kirklington to Southwell and the wider area. 

Despite the recent cancellation of many live music events, the GTSF committee have put together a full COVID compliance plan with all the safety and layout changes necessary.  Social distancing measures will be in place, contactless payments will be available at the box office, stalls and bars, there’ll be increased hand-sanitising and washing facilities and extra toilets. 

Other exciting and eclectic acts appearing include Scottish bluegrass-meets-soul from The Jellyman’s Daughter, Shantyman Tom Lewis, Cape Town soul from the Stone Jets, “badass banjo-pickin’” from Sheffield’s Banjo Jen, reggae funk ska and hip-hop from the West Country’s Maitree Express, US-born guitar maestro Rodney Branigan (famous for playing two guitars at once!), the Lincolnshire-style Americana of The Rye Sisters, sci-fi-inspired alt folk from The Last Inklings, Irish and Scottish roots magic from Alistair Russell & Chris Parkinson, Hot club Django jazz from Maniere Des Bohemiens and Derbyshire country rockers The Rogue Embers.  Not forgetting the comedy and surreal songs of Geordie cultural attache Keith Donnelly.

Following the great successes of previous Bob Dylan and Woodstock anniversary celebrations, at this year’s festival various artists will pay tribute to John Prine, the revered American singer-songwriter who died this April.

Perhaps inevitably, there’s a smaller dance programme at GTSF this year but the Saturday procession through Southwell is still set to take place featuring sides such as Harlequin Morris, the Lady Bay Revellers, Mortimer’s Morris, Rattlejag Morris and, all the way from the Darkside, The Witchmen. 

Last but not least, the Gate To Southwell Festival is famous for offering great kids’ entertainment. This year’s festival welcomes family favourites such as street theatre star Dan The Hat, rock & roll from Johnny & The Raindrops, storytelling from Walk The Lines, Toddle Bops & Baby Bops, the much-loved Jan’s Van plus a fantastic Fire Circle with the Forest School for All team. 

Starved live music fans are buying up discounted tickets fast but there are weekend and day tickets still available via www.gtsf.uk.  As usual, there’ll be camping and glamping, great food and craft stalls, a beer and cider festival, Open Mic and other events, plus on site parking and special bus services to and from nearby Southwell.

www.gtsf.uk

Facebook @gatetosouthwellfestival

Twitter @southwellff