Line-up

All Hallows Church

Magpie Lane

Magpie Lane, an Oxford-based five-piece folk band, excels in traditional English songs and dance tunes. With a history spanning over 25 years and 10 acclaimed albums, their dynamic blend of potent vocals and lively tunes, performed on acoustic instruments, has captivated audiences, earning high praise for their authentic English folk offerings.

Venue: All Hallows Church
Time: 8:05pm
Ticket: Festival ticket holders only

James Delarre & Saul Rose

James and Saul, with their classic fiddle and box combination, have long been musical companions, skillfully interweaving their talents. Their new album, Kith and Kin, is a curated compilation of their cherished tunes and songs, honed and loved in their live performances over the years, showcasing the duo’s evolving journey and enduring bond through music.

Venue: All Hallows Church
Time: 7:00pm
Ticket: Festival ticket holders only

Benji Kirkpatrick

An acclaimed member of Bellowhead and Faustus and celebrated for his mastery of the guitar, bouzouki, and mandolin, Benji is well-known here in Whitchurch. His innovative arrangements and spirited performances are a testament to his significant role in shaping contemporary folk music. He’ll be with us for a solo performance, incorporating songs from his new album, In Phase.

Venue: All Hallows Church
Time: 3:10pm
Ticket: Festival ticket holders only

Coracle

Known for blending experimentation, humor, and risk, Coracle’s performances are never the same. Featuring Anna Tam’s captivating voice, a fusion of clarinets, accordion, cello, nyckelharpa, viola da gamba, and hurdy-gurdy, they offer an exhilarating journey through British folk, with elements of contemporary classical and early music.

Venue: All Hallows Church
Time: 2:05pm
Ticket: Festival ticket holders only

Miranda Rutter & Rob Harbron

Miranda Rutter and Rob Harbron have created Bird Tunes, a suite of folk tunes inspired by birdsong. Crafted from birdsong fragments recorded during woodland walks, this suite is a homage to birdsong’s beauty and a poignant reminder of the challenges migrating birds face.

Venue: All Hallows Church
Time: 1:00pm
Ticket: Festival ticket holders only

Methodist Church

Ellie Gowers

Ellie, a Warwickshire-based songwriter and guitarist, has developed a mature and expressive music catalog from her childhood passion for literature and traditional folk. Influenced by Joni Mitchell and Nick Drake, her work features sociological, ecological, and personal themes. Ellie’s music is recognized for its depth and versatility, marking her as a dynamic and compelling figure in the music scene.

Venue: Methodist Church
Time: 5:30pm
Ticket: Festival ticket holders only

Anna Tabbush Trio

Anna Tabbush is renowned for her socially conscious songs, notably ‘Harbour’, which gained popularity, featuring in the BBC sitcom Juice, and was performed by a thousand singers at the Kendal Street Choirs festival and in a mass choir at Birmingham Symphony Hall. Known for her connection with nature, warm stage presence, and lifelong musicianship, Anna has amassed a dedicated following. She’s performing at Whitchurch Folk Festival with Camilo Menjura and Rachel Drayson.

Venue: Methodist Church
Time: 4:25pm
Ticket: Festival ticket holders only

Andover Museum Loft Singers

Founded in 1997 by Roger Watson in Andover, the Andover Museum Loft Singers practice unaccompanied harmony, drawing from rural traditions. Paul Sartin directed until 2022; now led by Zack Stephens, they have performed at Sidmouth and Chippenham Folk Festivals, Living by the Sea, Stroud Wassail, and have collaborated with Quimantu. Their repertoire includes many of the traditional songs collected here in Whitchurch.

Venue: Methodist Church
Time: 3:20pm
Ticket: Festival ticket holders only

Southampton Folk Orchestra

Southampton Folk Orchestra is an open access group that plays traditional folk music with connections to the local area. The group creates arrangements of tunes together and performs at least once a term. It’s hosted by FolkActive director Cath Watkins (Jigfoot; see the Testbourne School Theatre section).

Venue: Methodist Church
Time: 2:35pm
Ticket: Festival ticket holders only

Patakas

Paul Sartin’s exceptionally talented sons, Joe and Will, have made an instant impact on the English folk scene with their duo, Patakas. Their debut recording, launched in 2023, showcased Joe’s sublime vocal and guitar skills alongside Will’s adept mandolin playing. Rooted in their family’s deep folk tradition, their skillful performances resonate beautifully.

Venue: Methodist Church
Time: 11:00am
Ticket: Festival ticket holders only

Testbourne Theatre Hall

Nick Hart & Tom Moore

Rounding the evening off over in the Testbourne Theatre are Nick Hart and Tom Moore, fresh from releasing The Colour of Amber, celebrated as one of the best folk albums of 2023. Hart is well-known to Whitchurch audiences, while Moore is an innovative fiddler in his own right.

Venue: Testbourne Theatre Hall
Time: 10:10pm
Ticket: Festival ticket holders only

Norfolk Broads

The Norfolk Broads are a four-piece female ensemble known for their repertoire of folk songs about love, despair, and treacherous boyfriends. United by their love for maritime work songs, the Broads reinvigorate traditional narratives with a contemporary flair, using historic songs to offer fresh perspectives on the lives of women, past and present.

Venue: Testbourne Theatre Hall
Time: 9:05pm
Ticket: Festival ticket holders only

Sam Sweeney & Louis Campbell

Sam Sweeney, acclaimed as one of his generation’s defining English fiddle players, has a distinguished career including his time with Bellowhead, as the first artistic director of the National Youth Folk Ensemble, and as a founding member of Leveret. His collaboration with the talented guitarist Louis Campbell brings a fresh dimension to his music, promising a cerebral and innovative soundscape.

Venue: Testbourne Theatre Hall
Time: 8:00pm
Ticket: Festival ticket holders only

Frankie Archer

Frankie Archer, emerging as a vibrant new voice in music, skillfully melds earthy fiddle and vocals with modern synths and drum tracks, revolutionising traditional genres. Celebrated for her focus on women in folk song, her “fascinating and intoxicating” sound (Mark Radcliffe, BBC Radio 2) has earned acclaim from Tradfolk, Fresh on the Net, and BBC Radio.

Venue: Testbourne Theatre Hall
Time: 4:10pm
Ticket: Festival ticket holders only

Good Habits

Good Habits are an award-winning genre-fusion that has received international critical acclaim and have become rising stars in the UK scene. “Pin-precision vocals, hard rocking accordion, and great acoustic grooves. English folk musicianship at its 21st century best.”

Venue: Testbourne Theatre Hall
Time: 3:05pm
Ticket: Festival ticket holders only

Maddie Morris

Maddie Morris, a standout folk artist, uses their music to effect change. Described by Jim Moray as a leader among socially conscious songwriters, Maddie boldly reinterprets traditional songs to spotlight contemporary issues. Maddie’s debut album, Skin, out now, is a masterful collection emphasising marginalised stories, blending passionate political themes with understated artistry.

Venue: Testbourne Theatre Hall
Time: 2:00pm
Ticket: Festival ticket holders only

Testbourne School Sports Hall

Family Ceilidh with Out of Hand Ceilidh Band

Playing the first of the day’s ceilidhs, Out of Hand, comprising Stuart Duncan, Will Sartin, Penny Kempson, David Dailly, Richard Portlock, and Chris Campbell, is a dynamic band marked by the exuberance of youth. Their vibrant energy has quickly established them as one of the most danceable bands on the UK ceilidh scene. The caller is Aiden Hansell.

Venue: Testbourne Sports Hall
Time: 1pm
Ticket: Festival ticket holders and pay on the door

Evening Ceilidh with Jigfoot Ceilidh Band

For the second of the day’s ceilidhs, Jigfoot will bring a lively, inventive spin to traditional dance tunes, infused with irresistible swing. Their music, rooted in their home county of Hampshire, is designed to get audiences moving. Collaborating closely with step dancers Simon and Jo Harmer, they focus on material inspired by southern English step dancing, creating an energetic and engaging experience. The caller is Ian Nichols.

Venue: Testbourne Sports Hall
Time: 9pm
Ticket: Festival ticket holders and pay on the door