ENJOY FAST AND FURIOUS FOLK MUSIC AT THIS YEAR’S BROADSTAIRS FOLK WEEK, WITH PRINCIPAL SPONSORS SHEPHERD NEAME

The annual celebration of fabulous folk music, Broadstairs Folk Week, is returning in its full glory from Friday, August 5 to Friday, August 12.

And Britain’s oldest brewer, Faversham-based Shepherd Neame, is proud to be principal sponsor for another year. 

After a smaller event last year due to the impact of the pandemic, the popular week-long event returns with some 400 acts performing in large and small indoor and outdoor venues, with headliners including Lindisfarne, Show of Hands and the Longest Johns.

A unique chance to enjoy traditional folk music in a beautiful seaside town, the event will also feature workshops, dancing and evening ceilidhs. Shepherd Neame will have a bar next to the Bandstand, where visitors can enjoy their favourite ales and lagers, including Whitstable Bay Blonde, Spitfire Lager, Whitstable Bay Pale Ale and Masterbrew.

Three of the independent family brewer and pub company’s sites in the town will also be hosting live music.

At seafront hotel The Royal Albion in Albion Street, which has a vista overlooking picturesque Viking Bay, there is music running from Saturday, August 6 through to Friday, August 12.

The sessions kick off in the hotel’s gardens with Ravella Bridge on the Saturday from 1pm, plus highlights including Hot Rats on Sunday, August 7 at 8.30pm, The Captain’s Beard on Tuesday, August 9 and Two Man Ting on Wednesday, August 10 from 1pm to 3pm. The week will be completed on Friday, August 12 with Hobo and the Hippies at 8.30pm.

Nearby at lively local the Wrotham Arms in Ramsgate Road, where there is regular live music throughout the year, there will be a range of folk week acts and ticketed live events in a range of genres.

The action begins with the first of a series of Woodshed folk sessions with Bob Kenward from 1pm to 3pm daily. Krista & the Pirates follow on Saturday, August 6, and you can hear music from the likes of Beggars Belief, Sally Ironmonger & Brian Carter and Jumbo Gumbo through the week.

Ticketed events include Open Harp Surgery at 7.30pm on Saturday, August 6, and Ex Biscuit Club Band for £10 for both events. On Sunday, August 7 Beggars Belief play from 4pm to 4pm, and Hobo and the Hippies from 8.30pm, with Sally Ironmonger and Brian Carter the following day from 4pm to 6pm and Blues Bandits from 8.30pm, with tickets  £5. On Tuesday, August 9, Jumbo Gumbo play at 8.30pm and the following day Hot Rats play from 8.30pm. On Thursday, August 11, Rox Bishop Band play at 4.30pm, with free entry, with Baltimore Keys following at 8.30pm, with tickets £5. On Friday, August 12, Broken Biscuit play from 8.30pm. For all tickets, call Jackie 07814 344969.

Licensee Jackie Lawson, who has been at the pub almost 13 years, said: “Folk Week itself keeps evolving, and so does what we do for it, but we always do lots of live gigs. I love it! Folk Week has a great atmosphere, and it is so nice to see all the regular Folk Week followers returning each year.”

At one of the town’s principal pubs, the Neptune’s Hall in Harbour Street, the line-up includes daily singalong sessions from 12.30pm to 2.30pm, and the Thumping Tommys from 4pm to 6pm on Saturday, August 6. It continues on Sunday, August 7 with The Old Country Crows playing between 4pm and 6pm.

Festival director Jo Tuffs said: “Broadstairs Folk Week is grateful to Shepherd Neame for its invaluable sponsorship over many years. We are proud to be associated with Britain’s oldest brewer – and there is definitely a natural partnership between great real ale and folk music.

“The festival is a registered charity and every year seeks sponsorship and grants to ensure the event remains in the town. We are especially grateful in 2022, when we are all facing the additional challenges that the last couple of years have thrown at us!”

Festival tickets are on sale now at www.broadstairsfolkweek.org.uk.