BROADSTAIRS FOLK WEEK RETURNS WITH PRINCIPAL SPONSOR SHEPHERD NEAME

The annual celebration of folk music, Broadstairs Folk Week, will return from Friday, August 11 to Friday, August 18 - and Britain’s oldest brewer, Faversham-based Shepherd Neame, is proud to be principal sponsor for another year. 

The popular week-long event returns with hundreds of acts performing in large and small indoor and outdoor venues, with headliners including Tim Edey, the Seth Lakeman Duo, Ciderhouse Rebellion, Will Page of Noble Jacks, and opening with Urban Folk Quartet.

A unique chance to enjoy traditional folk music in a beautiful seaside town, the event will also feature workshops, free family events, Morris dancing and evening ceilidhs. 

Shepherd Neame will have a bar at the Bandstand garden which forms part of the festival shopping area where visitors can enjoy their favourite ales and lagers.

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

At the seafront hotel The Royal Albion in Albion Street, which has a vista overlooking picturesque Viking Bay, there will be music running throughout the week, with something to enjoy every day.

Things kick off on Saturday, August 12 at 4pm with Home Made Jam, followed by Hobo and the Hippies at 8pm, while on Sunday, August 13, Raven’s Wedding play at 4pm, followed by the Hot Rats at 8pm. On Monday, August 14 Beard Conspiracy will be up at 4pm, followed by Beggars Belief at 8pm; Luna Barge at 4pm on Tuesday, August 15 followed by The Captain’s Beard at 8pm.

On Wednesday, August 16 Good Habits will play from 4pm, and at 8pm Elvis Fontenot & the Sugar Bees play, while on Thursday, August 17 Two Man Ting will play at 4pm, followed by Gypskass at 8pm. On Friday, August 18, Fat Tuesday play at 4pm and Gabriel Moreno finishes the week off from 8pm. 
Nearby at lively local the Wrotham Arms in Ramsgate Road, licensee Jackie Lawson has been at the pub almost 14 years and is an avid supporter of Folk Week. She will be hosting a range of Folk Week acts and ticketed live events including the popular Woodshed sessions by Bob Kenward and special festival guests every afternoon from 1pm to 3pm.

On Saturday, August 12 with Krista and the Pirates from 4pm (free, followed by ex-Biscuit Club Blues Brothers Show at 8.30pm (£10), followed by Beggars Belief on Sunday, August 13 from 4pm (free) and Hobo and the Hippies from 8.30pm (free).

On Monday, August 14, Wrotham Crowd Choir will perform from 4pm (free) followed by Beard Conspiracy from 8.30pm (free); on Tuesday, August 15 Rosco, Rosalie and Friends perform from 4.30pm (£10) and Jumbo Gumbo are up at 8.30pm (free); Wednesday, August 16 sees Oakland Bros from 4pm (free) and Voodoo Vendors from 8.30pm (free); Thursday, August 17 Captain’s Beard play free from 4pm and Baltimore Keys follow at 8.30pm (£10) and on Friday, August 18, The Altones play free from 4pm and Moroccan Mole follows at 8.30pm (£10).

To see all that’s on offer go to www.wrothamarms.co.uk/events

At the Neptune’s Hall in Harbour Street, the line-up includes daily singalong sessions from 12.30pm to 2.30pm, with Mike Nicholson and Derek Gifford.

On Saturday, August 12 Crock of Bones play from 4pm to 6pm and on Sunday, August 13, The Old Country Crows are on from 4pm to 6pm.

Festival director Jo Tuffs said: “Broadstairs Folk Week is delighted that Shepherd Neame is continuing its sponsorship of the festival in 2023. 

“As lead sponsor of Folk Week, Shepherd Neame’s support has been of vital importance over many years. There are thousands of real ale fans at the festival, so it is wonderful to be associated with Britain’s oldest brewer and its outstanding range of beers and lagers.”

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