Line up

Billy Bragg has been a fearless recording artist, tireless live performer and peerless political campaigner for 40 years. He has released 11 solo studio albums.

The Staves have changed since their debut album was released in 2012. Of course, the sisters haven't abandoned their beautiful, signature close harmonies, but they have bolstered them with a clutch of multi-layered, hugely ambitious songs, recorded with the scale and confidence that can only come after three years on the road.

Hot off the back of multiple sell-outs across the UK, the 23-strong London African Gospel Choir (LAGC) bring their totally uplifting rendition of Paul Simon's iconic Graceland album to Towersey

Westcountry folk singer and multi-instrumentalist Seth Lakeman was nominated for the Mercury Music Prize in 2005 for 'Kitty Jay'. Seth’s thrilling solo performance of the eponymous title track on live television won him unanimous praise and started him on an incredible solo journey which has included record deals, 11 album releases (including 6 Top 40), BBC Radio 2 playlisted singles, a clutch of awards and touring all over the world. 2024 marks the 20th anniversary of the album’s release.

LaFarge set out to create a body of work that paired emotional lyrics with a killer groove and grabby melodies. Written by LaFarge and co-produced with Chris Seefried, the album is one of LaFarge’s strongest and most mature lyrical efforts to date. The album’s title, In the Blossom of Their Shade, is taken from a lyric in the stunning, yet dusty “Mi Ideal.” That song sonically draws influences from the Southwest, South America and Caribbean.

The 5-times BBC Radio 2 Folk Award-winning outfit that brought passion, power and not a little poetry to folk and roots music, enter their fifth decade as vital and creative as ever, with some of the finest songs in modern folk.

Tide Lines, a folk-pop four-piece whose roots begin in the Scottish Highlands, around the country’s islands, all the way down to the bustling hive of Glasgow. The vast and verdant expanse of Scotland’s most mountainous region pervades the band’s anthemic brand of folk, but at its beating heart, their music is fixed firmly on the horizon.

Led by lead singer and principal songwriter Robert Robertson – who originates from Lochaber and spent his formative years honing his musicianship in various cèilidh bands and Gaelic choirs – Tide Lines escapist ambitions were evident from the get-go. 

Performing at Wembley Stadium and Croke Park, playing big tours with Sheeran and James Blunt, are great and all that. But taking his foot off the gas allowed Lawson the time and space to ask himself questions about what he wanted to achieve as an artist and a musician. Certainly as a new dad he couldn’t conceive of leaving his young family to play, perform and promote music that didn’t fulfil him completely and move him wholeheartedly

'The Greatest British Blues Performing Artist' Cerys Matthews

Ever since John Walters declared Errol Linton the 'future of British Blues' back in 1993 this Brixton born gentleman has been plying his trade and perfecting his art at home and across the world. 

Over the decades Errol has collaborated and played with many musical greats from the blues world and beyond including Bo Diddley, Tony Allen, Abram Wilson, Doctor John, Screaming Jay Hawkinsand most recently US guitar supremo Joe Bonamassa. Linton contributes the haunting harmonica on 'Lookout Man' from Joe's 2021 Grammy nominated album 'Royal Tea' recorded at Abbey Rd. 

The explosive 9-piece have built a killer reputation for their live shows; ultra-high energy experiences, with epic arrangements, booming brass hooks, and scintillating solos.

The London Welsh Male Voice Choir has sung at many of Britain’s most prestigious concert halls and cathedrals, has appeared twice at the Royal Variety Command Performances and has recorded with Charlotte Church, Aled Jones and Bryn Terfel.

Since emerging with her debut EP ‘Wolf', UK singer-songwriter Katherine Priddy has quickly become one of the most exciting names on the British music scene. Priddy’s haunting vocals and distinctive finger-picking guitar style have already seen her sell out a headline tour, perform at prestigious festivals around the UK and abroad, including Glastonbury where she featured on their BBC 2 coverage, and support a number of world class artists including Richard Thompson, Loudon Wainwright III and Vashti Bunyan, as well as a recent show with Guy Garvey at The Roundhouse.

Blair Dunlop, award-winning British singer-songwriter and guitarist, has now released 4 albums 2 ep’s and toured around the globe.

Reg Meuross tackles the history of England’s involvement in the transatlantic slave trade, unearthing both incredible tales and uncomfortable truths - now brought fully to life with this stunning song cycle joined by kora master Suntou Susso and concertina wizard Cohen Braithwaite-Kilcoyne alongside narration on the background to each song.

Calum Stewart is an award winning Uilleann Piper, flautist and composer.

Calum's distinct musical voice - expressed through the wild, shimmering sound of the Irish Uilleann Pipes and the rich and powerful tones of the Wooden Flute, has been developed through collaborations within the Scottish and Irish traditions.

Forged in Scotland and Ireland's traditional music scene, but drawing on the music of the Balkans and North America, Dallahan take their listeners on a journey. Traversing styles and countries of the world in a dazzling live show, they create their own unique brand of World-folk delivered with stunning virtuosity. Having performed in over 20 countries, they have become a veteran touring outfit and with each album they continue to evolve their sound, as is evident on their upcoming fourth studio album, ‘Speak of the Devil’ which is set for release in early 2023.

Led by one of the UK's most formidable jazz pianists, George Cooper, The Jazz Defenders are a group born from a deep love of Blue Note jazz, drawing on a wealth of inspiration to craft their own raw and vibrant compositions.

Nancy Kerr and James Fagan are one of the best-known and most experienced folk duos on the British circuit today. Outstanding musicianship, a lifelong grounding in traditional singing and instrumental playing, acclaimed original compositions but most noticeably a visceral chemistry between these two make Kerr and Fagan a perennial favourite at festivals, venues and clubs across the country.

West country based, Gaz Brookfield, is predominantly a solo acoustic musician. Although, on occasion you will find him on stage with his band, The Company of Thieves.

The Wilson Family is an English Folk Music group from Billingham, Teesside, North East England. They have been singing and performing a cappella folk songs since 1974. Over those decades the group members have consisted of sister Pat and five brothers: Tom, Chris, Steve, Ken and Mike.

Whether it's a passionate, raw, and lyrical Solo performance or a riotous, bold, and layered Full-Band performance - McGowan cut his teeth playing live. He's not just another Singer/Songwriter.

Melrose Quartet are Nancy Kerr (voice, fiddle), James Fagan (voice, bouzouki, guitar), Jess Arrowsmith (voice, fiddle) and Richard Arrowsmith (voice, melodeons). September 2023 saw the release of “Make The World Anew”, which went straight into the Official Folk Charts at Number 11, and followed the critical success of “Dominion” and “The Rudolph Variations.” Their debut album “Fifty Verses” was nominated for Best Album at the 2014 BBC Folk Awards. 

Striking melodies, energetic rhythms, catchy songs, and a fiercely formidable live act – Morganway have made quite the impression on the UK’s rising Americana scene. The band is known for layering rich, six-part vocal harmonies over driving guitar, fiddle and keyboard riffs. With traces of 70s West Coast and classic rock to rootsy folk and country, Morganway is “like no other band out there right now…. reminiscent of Fleetwood Mac” (Entertainment Focus). 

The Hawkmen draw from an array of influences such as rhythm’n’blues, soul, and rock’n’roll which they bring together in a classic, rootsy, hybrid blend.

Described as “The future of Folk”, Banter take English traditional music to the next level with their iconic interpretations of classic songs and dance tunes.

Award-winning Reg Meuross was introduced onto the stage of the Albert Hall by Mike Harding as ‘one of this country’s finest’ and is a true modern troubadour, representing contemporary English folk writing at its best. Captivating audiences with his beautiful tenor voice, and with breadth and depth of material that is unparalleled, Reg has toured extensively for decades across the UK, Europe, North America and the Antipodes.

Rory McLeod, an ex-circus clown and fire eater, is a one-man-soul-band, and poet. He has a natural troubadour’s talent for weaving magical, musical, storytelling spells accompanied by his own bizarre solo orchestra of distinctive instruments. The spoons, finger-cymbals, bandorea, Djembe-drum, harmonica, guitar, trombone and-tap-dancing shoes accompany the “rich, raw, deep and resonant” voice of this “singular and liberating performer.”

A raucous and danceable feast of dynamic, high-octane, prog-folk music: original and (un)traditional tunes and songs from the British Isles to the Balkans.

The Cock & Bull Band have begun their fifth decade of providing exciting and adventurous ceilidh experiences. They effortlessly fuse traditional instruments with cutting edge music technology. Original tunes and reworked traditional tunes are given a unique groove which is perfect for dancing and great to listen to.

Pete has been a professional musician since 1971, playing at festivals concerts,

clubs, dances & schools throughout Britain, Europe, Asia, New Zealand & USA .

Gina Larner is a singer/songwriter from Brighton, whose original songs are a mixture of country/pop-rock. With influences from Fleetwood Mac, KT Tunstall, Lily Allen and Kasey Musgraves.

Singer and guitarist, Jack Badcock is a veteran performer, having toured extensively on four continents, predominantly as frontman and founding member of renowned world-folk band Dallahan. A previous finalist in the BBC Young Traditional Musician of the Year Award, his 2021 EP, The Driftwood Project was nominated for Original Work of the Year at the BBC Scots Music Awards. His solo material reveals his astute songcraft exploring human history, cosmology, personal experiences and profound questions all delivered with a musical sensitivity clearly influenced by American folk, funk and soul music as much as the traditional music from Britain and Ireland.

Andrew Waite is an accomplished accordion player and composer from the Scottish Borders. He plays with well-known folk bands Dallahan and Fourth Moon as well as performing alongside Siobhan Miller, Lucy Farrel, Grainne Brady and the Claire Hastings Band. In recent years he has been building on his solo career, releasing two solo albums and embarking on solo tours around the UK.

Togmor combine originality and energy in a fast moving electric set that has a wide appeal to both fans of Celtic roots music and fans of contemporary folk rock. Their music is carefully crafted to combine a vibrant mix of powerful modern rhythms with a traditional Celtic feel.

Inspired by the melodies and rhythms of the natural world, Auka perform genre-defying original music on Irish flute & whistles, acoustic guitar and double bass. This autumn sees the release of their second album, Wild Waters, a musical portrait of a river which ebbs and flows from moments of delicate calm to those of frenetic energy.

Urban Folk Theory are the originators of the Silent Ceilidh. With a live band playing digital instruments you can ceilidh to traditional tunes from the band or switch to beat matched disco and ceilidh that way. With headphones on, get ready for the most incredible night of music, dance and fun.

Born from a series of rooftop concerts over lockdown, Rooftop Assembly are a 7-piece fusion ensemble, combining the grime poetry of MC Kayes Mensah with James Riley's old-skool songwriting chops, accompanied by swooning string arrangements and dubby, incessant beats.

The Folk Camps Party Band is an exciting multi-ability multi-age ceilidh band drawn from all parts of the Folk Camps spectrum. The specially arranged repertoire is drawn from the English folk tradition as well as other traditions which have been absorbed into the English standard repertoire.

Suntou Susso’s music brings nothing but good vibes as it combines the rich, traditional sound of his West-African Mandinka culture with Afro jazz and soul.

Josephine and Gerald are out on safari and are hoping to meet some of the locals. 

Jess and Richard Arrowsmith are singers and musicians (fiddle & melodeon) and well established in the traditional English music scene.

Sea-shanties will be given a bombastic rock edge, and folk instrumentals will become late-night floor-fillers when this raucous bunch of reprobates hit the stage. They have dirt under their fingernails and a twinkle in their eyes, and you can expect fantastic musicianship, playful choreography and an unstoppable urge to move your body.

Dan Ottewell is a singer, songwriter and guitarist aged only 17, who has already stunned world famous artists with his searing brand of poignant, straight to the vein self-penned lyrics and impressive acoustic guitar solos.

Guaranteed giggles galore from internationally award-winning funnyman Fraser Hooper.

Curator and host of this brilliant collection and well know to Towersey, Gavin is a brilliant singer songwriter, funny and lovely guy with a vast knowledge of the comedy and music scene and a million connections to all the best people.

Soaring violin and guitar weaving around delicately passionate female vocals, underpinned by driving rhythmic complexity.

Pete has been entertaining with his Suitcase circus for over 25 years. His act includes circus tricks, stunts and comic inventions. Aided by volunteers from the audience he hula hoops, juggles, and spins plates… sometimes successfully!

Lou Sanders was runner up in the Wigan cutie pie competition of 2009 and since then has also won over fans as the third prettiest feet in Croydon (over 40’s category). In her spare time she writes other people’s poetry and campaigns for people to start winking at her more.

This friendly band of ukulele enthusiasts play an eclectic mix of songs from across the decades, backed by a cajón, bass ukulele and the occasional kazoo! The band loves performing and their enthusiasm and sense of fun shines through wherever they go.

Nina’s music combines elements of all the styles of music she loves - folk, jazz, soul, blues.. all wrapped up with heartfelt lyrics from a lifetime of adventures.

Walter the waiter is always at your service and ready to please.

Join Angie Mack on her hula hoop journey through the ages and across the globe, taking you from the giant 6ft hoop, all the way through to the multi-hooping human tower.

The Bristol Ceilidh Quartet is a Bristol ceilidh band bringing together three English folk fiddlers and a fab cellist to make a big string sound with loads of energy and drive. We take great tunes and create exciting arrangements exploring the dynamic range of the string quartet.

High energy street performer Jason Maverick has a knack for captivating audiences of all ages.

As a singer-songwriter Phil King has the whole trinity: a beautiful, soulful singing voice; deft skills at playing the guitar and the capacity to write elegantly worded and powerful songs.

Hailing from the green hills and valleys of the Bagthorpe Delta, Nottinghamshire UK. Expect a sepia tinted ... unlikely blend of attitude, Americana, Alt-Country & folk. Drawing heavily from the rolling landscapes, that once graced the footsteps and literary musings of DH Lawrence. The sound is an earthy, infectious, foot stomping vibe with fiddle, accordion & raw guitar.

The young, vibrant 5-piece Ceilidh Band best known for their folk-rock style and high energy tunes.

Trip Hazard is a new and exciting contra dance band that plays a mix of traditional and contemporary tunes.

Headphone events have become a bit of a must at Towersey. From silent club nights and discos to the ground-breaking Live Band Silent Ceilidh with the originators of the format, Urban Folk Theory.

Plus, this year we will be doing a special 60s night to celebrate when we started in 1965 and bringing you some silent cinema events!

Renowned folk dance band Whapweasel have been delighting and exhausting the folk dance enthusiasts for over 20 years and a regular favourite at Towersey.

Interactive storytelling with Rhubarb Theatre in The Nest

These crazy characters are here to charm your maidens, sort out your urchins and ride off into the sunset with anyone who’ll have them!

Full of mime, physical theatre, music and fun, this is a slapstick Rhubarb Theatre street-treat for all the family!

Three courageous airmen, Roger, Reggie and Rupert are returning from battle when their trusty aeroplane is caught in a freak storm.

Roxanne de Bastion is a singer songwriter and artist advocate. She has released two critically acclaimed albums that have been championed by the likes of Iggy Pop and Steve Lamacq.

Robb’s widely recognised as one of the UK’s finest songwriters. “An English original”, (Robin Denselow, the Guardian) ... “a national treasure”(Mike Harding)… “one of this country’s most important songwriters (no argument!)” (fROOTS)

Climax are a high energy dance band, making dance floors tremble and putting smiles on the faces & feet of dancers all over the country.

Robin Ince is many things. A comedian, an author, a broadcaster and a populariser of scientific ideas. The Guardian once declared him a ‘becardiganed polymath’ which seems about right.

As a solo live performer Steve Hall has been a stand up support act for Russell Howard on his sell-out national tours Adventures, Dingledodies and the 2009 arena tour Big Rooms and Belly Laughs.