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HUMBER STREET SESH 2015

1st - 2nd August

Humber Street, HU1 1TU Kingston upon Hull

https://www.facebook.com/HumberStreetSesh

MISSION STATEMENT :

1. A Festival to promote and celebrate the excellence and diversity of Hull's Creative Community.

2. To assist in the regeneration and development of the urban cultural quarter based around Humber Street and it's surrounding area.

3. To inspire future generations to engage and embrace music and the arts, leaving a lasting legacy within the city.

Building on the unequivocal success of the previous two years, we remain steadfast in our ambition to increase capacity of the local arts sector within our festival, utilising existing buildings and land around the Humber Dock area.

We aim to build a sustainable festival through a mixed economy of crowd funding, tickets, in kind support, private sector sponsorship and public sector grants ; with over 500 local creatives involved in it's production and delivery.

The Humber Street Sesh Festival has played a significant role in raising the city's cultural ambitions including the successful bid to become the UK's City Of Culture in 2017. We aim to play an integral part in the celebrations of 2017 and beyond.

Musicport was established in 2000 to promote live music and music education in Whitby and the surrounding area with its primary event being Musicport World Music Festival each autumn. Over the last ten years the festival has grown year on year and has established itself as a prestigious event in the festival calendar attracting major names such as Rachid Taha, The Buena Vista Social Club presents Cachaito Lopez etc, Toumani Diabate, Levellers,Misty In Roots, Courtney Pine, Talvin Singh, Richard Hawley, Hugh Masekela,  Chumbawamba, Altan,  Mory Kante, Osibisa, Kate & Anna McGarrigle, & Los De Abajo.

2008 saw a major change with the festival moving to Bridlington from Whitby but in 2012 it returned to its spritual home in Whitby where it will remain.

As well as the festival we also run a regular concert programme (The Compass Club) both in Whitby  Artists who have appeared as part of our concert programme in the past include Jah Wobble’s Invaders Of The Heart, Midge Ure, Daby Balde , Yusa, The Easy Star All Stars, Hazel O’Connor, Asere, Black Umfolosi, Sharron Shannon, Waterson Carthy, & Kate Rusby.

2015 festival dates 16-18 October - Tickets are £99  (£95 concessions) available by ringing 01947 603475

http://www.musicportfestival.com/

http://www.BingleyMusicLive.com

Labrinth, Ash, Cast, Peter Hook and the Light,  Funeral For a Friend and Rae Morris are the latest five acts to join the bill for Bingley Music Live.

These new names join James, Embrace and Ella Eyre on the line up for Myrtle Park's 'last great party of the summer' between the 4th and 6th of September.

Labrinth is the second headliner announced for this year's Bingley Music Live, joining classic band of the British music scene and champions of the madchester era, James.

The multi-talented Labrinth is no ordinary performer and an extraordinary addition to the bill. With many strings to his bow, including singer, songwriter and producer Labrinth is not constrained by one music genre, straddling R&B, dance, soul, hip-hop, electronic, gospel, drum and bass, dubstep, grime and garage to name a few. Labrinth has collaborated with Tinie Tempah on 'Pass Out', who also featured on Labrinth's 'Earthquake', Professor Green and the number one smash hit with Emeli Sande, 'Beneath Your Beautiful'. Labrinth has also taken time out to feature on Sigma's current huge single 'Higher' further elevating him to one of the brightest stars of today's music scene.

Ireland's favourite sons, Ash will storm into Bingley following the release of their seventh studio album 'Kablammo!'.  They arrive armed with an arsenal of anthemic hits such as 'Girl from Mars', 'Angel Interceptor', 'Oh Yeah' and the Ivor Novello Award winning song 'Shining Light'.

Cast, John Power's band post seminal group The La's, emerging from the mid-1990s Britpop scene, they have a string of anthems for festival goers to sing along to, including 'Finetime', 'Sandstorm' and 'Walkaway'. After they split in 2001, the band reformed in 2010, with the single 'Baby Blue Eyes' released at the end of 2014 and a new album is due for release this year. Power has recently been in the studio writing and producing previous Bingley artist John Lennon McCullagh.

Peter Hook is a senior statesman of the British music scene as one of the founding members of both Joy Division and New Order. Peter Hook and the Light formed in 2010 and members include his son Jack Bates, on bass. The band's Bingley Music Live performance will feature the very best of Joy Division and New Order's albums. Guest vocalists at live shows have included Jane's Addiction's Perry Farrell, Moby and Billy Corgan of Smashing Pumpkins.

Welsh post-hardcore rockers Funeral for a Friend will blast into Myrtle Park. Their has been no let up from the thunder of this awesome rock band since the 2003 release of their debut album 'Casually Dressed in Conversation'. Matthew Davies-Kreye and the band will bring the very best of their previous six studio albums as well as new album, 'Chapter and Verse', released in January 2015.

These five new names join James, Embrace and Ella Eyre. Returning Manchester indie legends James were voted the act that most fans would like to see return to Bingley and they return to the festival to headline the event this year.

They are joined by Ella Eyre who is ready explode onto the British Music Scene with her debut album, 'Feline' out this May it will also her Top 20 hits 'If I go' and 'Comeback'. From her collaborations with Rudimental on their UK number one single 'Waiting All a Night' to her smash hit 'Gravity' with DJ Fresh, Ella is fast becoming one of the most sought after new UK acts. 

While Yorkshire's favourite sons Embrace have also been added to the bill. The band's debut album, The Good Will Out, was one of the fastest selling releases in British history.

Having already clocked up three number one albums with Brits Award winning producer Youth, six top ten singles and a string of sold out arena shows.  Embrace have plenty of their own self-penned mobster tracks though and will treat the Bingley Music Live crowd to a host of anthems such as 'Come Back To What You Know,' 'Fireworks,' and 'All You Good Good People' ringing out around Myrtle Park.

This year Bingley Music Live has renamed its 'Second Stage' the 'Discovery Stage' bringing the very best of new talent from around the country as well as some more established acts that festival-goers may yet be to discover.

Staying true to the mantra of giving a platform to discovering 'next year's talent today' and 'your favourite new bands', the Discovery Stage will continue this commitment that saw last year's second stage give birth to acts like Prides, Port Isla, The Wytches, Neon Waltz, Woman's Hour who have all gone on to great success.

Rae Morris is the first of headliner of the Discovery Stage artists to be announced.

Having been long listed in the BBC Sound of 2015 poll, Rae has recently delivered superb sessions for Fearne Cotton on Radio One and debut album 'Unguarded'.

Tickets are now on sale at £49 for adult weekend tickets and £34 for child weekend tickets plus booking fee at http://www.BingleyMusicLive.com

http://www.moonbeamsevents.co.uk/moonbeams-folk-festival-line/

http://www.liveinbarnsley.co.uk/

The LIVE in Barnsley Free Music Festival started with two local guys, Dave Pearsall and Steve Clifford, having a pint in their local back in December 2012 and discussing the merits of Sheffield’s Tramlines Festival and how there ought to be a similar festival in Barnsley.  Six months later and Barnsley’s first metropolitan music festival took place in the town centre with 11 venues and 99 bands taking part.  An estimated 2,000+ turned up to watch nine hours of musical entertainment.

In 2014 the festival expanded to 13 venues and 117 bands.  The summer sunshine brought over 4,000 people out and pubs reported record takings.  Two pubs even ran out of beer and had to resort to selling bottles only.

So here we are in 2015 and the festival has expanded again.  This year 15 venues and 135 bands (that’s well over 500 musicians) taking part.

The landlords and owners of all the venues involved have always been really supportive, and so have local PA companies, printers and instrument suppliers.  We source as much as we can from Barnsley firms and we have worked with everyone from the town museum & college to the local chippy.  The full festival sponsors for the second time are local roofing specialists, Fenton and Fenton Roofing.

.As a free festival, the whole show is totally reliant on sponsorship, advertising and music loving folk giving their time and talent for free.  We receive no public funding from the local authority or any government agency.  We have a lot of local people to thank for all the support they have given us, without them, this would never have got off the ground.  The festival has received national recognition at the UK Festival Awards in London and Barnsley is now firmly on the music festival map.  

Beverley Festival on course for a bonanza weekend in June- 18th June - 21st June

www.beverleyfestival.com

As the Beverley Folk Festival enters its third year (out of its 30 years) in its new venue at Beverley Racecourse, tickets are already selling well as the stellar line-up of artists reveals itself. 

Located at the edge of the town, in the heart of the attractive Beverley Westwood common land the festival kicks off on the Thursday night (18th June) with a special launch event featuring the legendary Bootleg Beatles.  The band will be performing some of the classic hits of the “Fab Four”, along with an orchestra to perform songs from the musical Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Break Club Band. With weekend headliners as varied as the alternative band Hayseed Dixie from the heart of the Appalachian Mountains in the USA ;  Mercury Prize nominated, New-Folk artist Seth Lakeman; and the legendary songwriters from England and Scotland , Ralph McTell plus Barbara Dickson and Rab Noakes, there is plenty to interest all tastes.   Back by popular demand is the Scottish band the Peatbog Faeries who will bring their own brand of 21st century Celtic dance music to the weekend. 

Guitar maestro Martin Simpson appears with his new trio featuring Andy Cutting and Nancy Kerr, and from overseas the festival welcomes back from the USA the hugely popular Curtis Eller with his “American Circus” and from Australia the highly entertaining duo Hat Fitz and Cara Robinson.  Hat Fitz is a "veteran" wild man of the blues scene in Australia , certainly an act not to miss.

Also performing will be King Pleasure and The Biscuit Boys - the finest, most authentic rhythm & blues band ever to come from outside the USA with a truly zany twist!, The DYR Sister who are a rare artistic gem of contemporary folk talent from Hull along with Mark Billingham & My Darling Clemantine in “The other Half”– Internationally renowned crime writer who spins a tale with accompanying country music.

As always the festival plays host to some of the best of young artists from around the country with BB C Radio 2 Folk Award winners; Greg Russell and Kiaran Algar joining forces with the Mischa Macphearson Trio to form a new, young, all star group “The Tweed Project”. Other award winners include Lucy Ward and Phillip Henry and Hannah Martin.  For some 20’s Swing Rob Heron and The Tea Pad orchestra bring a sense of authenticity with some great music.

As always a full programme of events and workshops for younger artists and members of the audience will ensure that all ages are fully catered for over the weekend.

Comedy and fun is also a hallmark of Beverley, Patrick Monahan makes a welcome return to Beverley with his brand new, energetically witty and charming family show! Expect plenty of playful audience interaction from this loveable Irish/Iranian Teessider!

Early in 2014 he took part in the hit family entertainment series ‘Splash!’ and appeared on the brand new series of ‘Celebrity Squares’ . He was also seen on ‘Fake Reaction’ and on ‘Man Up’ and was a regular 2014 guest on ‘Not The One Show’

His 2013 TV appearances include ‘Comedy Annual’, ‘Daybreak’, ‘Loose Women’, ‘The Wright Stuff’, host of ‘Jongleurs Live!’ and ‘12 Again’.  In 2012 he took part in Let’s Dance for Sports Relief on BBC, won Best Newcomer at the Loaded LAFTA Awards and Forth Radio Best Stand-Up People’s Choice Award for his hit show ‘Hug Me I Feel Good’ and in 2011, he was the winner of the ITV1 series ‘Show Me The Funny’ which led to the release of his debut DVD ‘Patrick Monahan Live’

‘A definite must see’  Edinburgh Festival’s Magazine;   ‘Monahan is a supremely engaging performer, adored by his audiences and capable of some terrific comedy’. The Scotsman

 To carry on with the fun on the Saturday, the long time favourites of festivals and clubs around the country, and overseas, the New Rope String Band, return to the festival for the last time before they retire in the Autumn.

Once seen, never forgotten. Combining superb musicianship with side-splitting comic genius, the New Rope String Band are truly unique entertainers. Elements of circus, clowning, vaudeville, slapstick and sheer inspired silliness are spliced with beautiful acoustic music from various world traditions, in precision-honed yet uproarious performances that have delighted audiences from Borneo's Sarawak rainforest to the Shetland Folk Festival. They mix up long-time favourite routines with ever-evolving new material. From musical tennis to deconstructed nursery rhymes, Python-esque absurdism to pyrotechnics and live interactive film, expect the hilariously unexpected. "They made me laugh until I cried, and played some great music. If the Queen could knight them or something, it would be a good idea."   Tim O’Brien. “I couldn’t believe what they were doing most of the time. It defied belief, it was really great!” Bob Gibbon, Director , Orkney Folk Festival.

To join the New Rope String Band in the madness on the Saturday night will be Lucy Ward, an award winning 24 year old acoustic artist from Derby who plays guitar, ukulele and concertina as well as having a great voice. Her career has gone from strength to strength establishing herself as one of the hottest performers on the UK Folk scene, pulling a capacity audience on her Cambridge Folk Festival debut and gracing the mighty Acoustic Stage at Glastonbury 2013 and the Left Field stage at Glastonbury 2014.  She was named by MOJO as ‘Britfolk’s most vibrant and forthright new young talent’ and attracted four star reviews from The Guardian and Maverick Magazine among others.

"Lucy, is a breath taking presence on stage. Her unpretentious outlook and warmth melts the hearts of audiences. Her disarming personality, pitch perfect delivery and the maturity of her songs can reduce an audience to tears, but a Lucy Ward set will always send you away feeling uplifted.” Shrewsbury Folk Festival. 

For further information; list of artists and tickets:   www.beverleyfestival.com  or info@beverleyfestival.com

Friday 3rd to Sunday 5th July 2015

Tickets are now on sale;

Adults £60 disc (£70) - Full Weekend
Concessionary - £58 Disc (£68) - Families need only buy one concessionary ticket to cover all their children aged 12-15 (children under 12 are free with an adult).

Available from http://www.burtonagnes.com/Jazz_Festival.html  by telephone 01262 490324 (weekdays 9am-5pm), or from any of the shops at Burton Agnes Hall

Being such an intimate and boutique event, festival goers are encouraged to purchase their tickets well in advance to avoid being disappointed.
‘Possibly the most enjoyable jazz concert I've ever attended’ The Independent

Surrounded by the beautiful Yorkshire Wolds, the Festival is set in the award winning grounds and Great Hall of this Elizabethan stately home.

To celebrate 100 years since the birth of perhaps the greatest of all jazz singers, Billie Holiday, the critically acclaimed tribute to Billie, ‘Lady Sings The Blues’, is coming to Burton Agnes, featuring Val Wiseman, twice crowned ‘Best Singer’ in the British Jazz Awards.

Six jazz stars will perform alongside Val Wiseman, including Alan Barnes and Digby Fairweather; all bar one are British Jazz Awards winners.

‘Lady Sings The Blues’ is a tribute to the memory of Billie Holiday in the best possible way – presenting the songs she sang in the style of her period. It is not a play. Neither is it a documentary, nor a slavish recreation of Billie’s original recordings, but an evening with six of Europe’s finest jazz musicians and “a most remarkable singer.’’ The Observer 

With a world-class band and a stunning voice, Jo Harman and Company draws heavily on a compelling mix of roots, blues, gospel and soul influences in a style that has been compared to Eva Cassidy. Bursting onto the scene, Jo remarkably secured more than fifty UK and European festival gigs in 2013, including prestigious slots at the Cheltenham and Edinburgh Jazz Festivals. She performed alongside Robert Plant and Van Morrison at BluesFest at The Royal Albert Hall in London (Jo’s performance was broadcast by Radio 2 and Radio 6 Music). Last summer Jo was one of only twelve, otherwise household name, artists performing at Parkpop in the Hague to more than 300,000 people. This year Jo and her band received no fewer than four nominations at the British Blues Awards, including best singer and best songwriter; Jo won the coveted female vocalist award. 

Also added to the festival line-up are Octopus, whose talented tentacles of this eight-piece band will open the festival on Friday evening with classic swing. They are seasoned professionals and perform fabulous arrangements of big band classics. Saturday opens with the John Ellis Trio. John is a pianist and singer from the North of England and his musicianship has been utilised by well known artists such as Tom Jones, Corinne Bailey Ray, Lily Allen, John Squire (Stone Roses) and many others. His trio perform a collection of songs ranging from standards to Irish folk, Prince and The Stone Roses and originals all with unique jazz/blues and soul improvised twist akin to Nina Simone. 

The wonderful Mahakasyapa Ensemble will perform 'Meditations on Burton Agnes’: an original suite. This new ensemble formed by bassist and composer, Paul Baxter, will premiere an original suite commissioned and in dedication to The Burton Agnes Jazz Festival. The Mahakasyapa Ensemble will explore the sounds of Burton Agnes combining elements of Jazz, Blues, Folk and Classical, music synonymous with the festival and the area and features Top UK Trumpeter and Jazz/Folk crossover artist Neil Yates, Fiery, UK Jazz favourite.

The festival is also delighted to welcome back Nicola Farnon, who is widely recognised as one of the classiest Jazz and Swing musicians in the UK and Ben Beattie's After Midnight Band plus Simon Cunliffe-Lister who will once again play out the weekend.

As always, bands overflow from the outdoor main stage into the Great Hall, our shops and cafe courtyard, and the late night sessions in our bar tent with acts TBC.

"The whole experience was brilliant...the combination of antiquity and youthful influence from Simon and his family, protecting tradition and heritage yet creating a relaxed and happy atmosphere. We will be back again." Festivalgoers Tom and Hildy Young.

If you would like to receive information about the 2015 Jazz & Blues Festival, please email: office@burtonagnes.com

https://www.marsdenjazzfestival.com/

WHO NEEDS GLASTONBURY WHEN YORKSHIRE'S GOT PARKLANDS?

FRIDAY 28 TO SUNDAY 30 AUGUST 2015 AT DUNCOMBE PARK, HELMSLEY, NORTH YORKSHIRE

http://www.galtresfestival.org.uk/index.cfm

NOW ELEVEN YEARS OLD GALTRES PARKLANDS FESTIVAL IS ONE OF THE BEST FAMILY FESTIVALS IN THE COUNTRY. COMBINING MUSIC AND CABARET STAGES, MORE THAN 100 FINE BEERS AND CIDERS ALL FROM YORKSHIRE, EXCELLENT LOCAL PRODUCE CATERING, LOADS FOR KIDS TO DO FROM FILM MAKING TO MUSIC WORKSHOPS, AND ALL SET IN A BEAUTIFUL AND SPECTACULAR RURAL SETTING OVERLOOKING THE NORTH YORK MOORS.

MUSIC FROM TOP BANDS AND LOCAL EMERGING TALENT RANGES FROM POP AND ACOUSTIC TO JAZZ, FOLK, BLUES AND SKA. COMEDY, THEATRE AND OFFBEAT PERFORMANCES AT THE NIGHT CABARET, FILMS, FAMILY CAMPING AND CLEAN LOOS TOO!

ONE OF THE BEST WEEKENDS OF THE YEAR, AND ONE OF THE BEST-PRICED TOO WITH ADULT WEEKEND TICKETS FROM JUST £75 IF YOU GRAB AN EARLYBIRD DEAL. IT'S ORGANIC, FAIR TRADE AND GREEN, AND OWNED BY A CHARITABLE FOUNDATION. DON'T MISS IT! 

Shuttle Shuffle Music and Arts Festival 2015, October 3 - October 4

http://www.yorkshireticketshop.co/shuttle-ticket.html

Saturday- Sunday 11.00am -11.00pm- Music, Art, and much more the festival is a Family fun day of music and live entertainment including two main stages, an acoustic stage, music workshops, stalls, children's entertainment, food cafe, bar and lots more.

Bradford’s first indoor music and arts festival in August 2013 was a fabulous success and buzz; showcasing live Yorkshire Music and visual arts.

Tickets are now on sale for the third Shuttle Shuffle Music Festival

Organising is well underway for this years Shuttle Shuffle; a celebration of music and arts supporting the charitable work of the Piece Project. The Piece Project strives to generate opportunity for people to come together, understand themselves and value others through music.

The festival itself offers these opportunities not only to the musicians and artists performing but also by encouraging everyone that attends to join in.

Factory Street Studios, 9 Factory Street, BD4 9NW, City of Bradford

 MAY 29-31 2015      BEDALE      NORTH YORKSHIRE

Three days of great music at North Yorkshire's friendliest festival

http://www.bamfest.co.uk/

Wow! We are really proud of this year's line-up. We have scoured the UK to find the best in acoustic music and we are delighted to introduce many new faces - as well as some familiar ones.

We have artists travelling from London, Cumbria, Malvern, and Newcastle to play at BAMfest 2015.

And we have that special BAMfest magic with music from across the genres - folk, blues, country and even some gypsy jazz - which we know you are going to love!

New for 2015: We are opening up a second stage - The Farm Stage - on the Big Sheep site and organising artists so you never have to miss a single act  - if you have enough energy to keep up!

Martin Stephenson & The Daintees \\ Blackbeard's Tea Party \\ The Young'uns \\ Babajack \\ Henry Priestman & Men Of A Certain Age \\ The Duncan McFarlane Band \\ Rob Heron & The Tea Pad Orchestra \\ Rod Clements \\ Cathryn Craig and Brian Willoughby \\ Les Barker \\ The Jon Palmer Band \\ Flossie Malavialle \\ Roomful of Mirrors \\ Plumhall \\ The Caffrey Brothers \\ Manière des Bohémiens \\ The Backyard Buskers  \\ Gilded Thieves \\ Rita Payne \\ Aelfen \\ Fireside Knights \\ Niamh Boadle \\ Zeke Deighton \\ Sound Tradition \\ The Nick Rooke Band \\ Rooster's Cat \\ Mark Harrison  \\ Keystone Acoustic \\ The Most Ugly Child \\ Maggie Gee \\ Pat Sherry & Stuart Douglas \\ The John Wrightson Band \\ Yan Tan Tether \\ George Harris and the MemoryMakers\\ Two Reasons Why \\ Jon Sibley \\The Uketopians \\ and so much more!

Well as the festival season kicks off, two new events are being held in the city of Hull. And they fall on the same day.

On Saturday 11th July, you will be able to enjoy live music and family fun in two locations. In one corner, there is West Park Party. And in the other, The Big Gig, held at the University Union. Naturally, there are pros and cons with both, but which one best suits you?

Let’s start with the first one to be announced, back in November. Organised by Auxilium Events Ltd, West Park Party declares itself  as “a music festival for all the family”. There is going to be one main stage, with a range of acts considered Heritage, Current and Local. So far, however, the biggest act announced, bouncing with excitement on their webpage since 28th February, is Union J. There are rumours about the Heritage acts, but so far this category remains empty of names. So, three months before the festival, I still don’t know who my grandma’s got to get excited about (my mum, admittedly, would quite enjoy Union J).

Whereas, The Big Gig, the first festival from local events organiser Red, have given a line-up of ten local acts, including headliner Endoflevelbaddie. The aim of this stage is to get your feet dancing, but there will also be an acoustic stage with a range of folk acts, well known and new to the scene, offering a full variety of genres.

Also pegged as “family friendly”, The Big Gig has a focus on those with learning disabilities. Red have been putting on disability friendly events for some time, on a smaller scale, and are now confident that they can produce a festival designed with these specific needs in mind. The aim is to get people together; making the area both accessible and comfortable for people with learning disabilities, while providing a fun day out for families and fans of the local music industry.

West Park Party is also considering those who often find festivals inaccessible. They have “a whole area” specifically designed to ensure access for disabled people. They are also linked with several local charities, including Cash4Kids and Dove House Hospice, who are working with the organisers.

Families can enjoy themselves at both festivals. At West Park Party there is a Familyzone, defined as “an area where kids can play and adults can relax” in earshot of the bands, so as not to miss anything. In this zone there will be the usual festival fun, including a marine life zone, shows from local drama groups and an arts and crafts area. The young ones will have no reason to say they are bored.

So, too, at The Big Gig, who will also have children’s entertainers and arts and crafts, alongside story tellers, dance workshops, graffiti art and bubble shows. Something for everyone and every taste.

It’s difficult for me not to be biased about this one. The family friendly activities are not at the forefront of my mind when selecting a festival, though I do attend quite a few with friends and their little ones. And, as much as I want to see international selling artists and those ‘big’ acts from around the world coming to Hull, I love the local scene. Having attended the launch party for West Park Party, I can see why people are talking about it on a grander scale than they are about The Big Gig. But, with most of this talk hanging on Union J, I just can’t get as excited.

Besides, I haven’t told you about the main deciding factor for most families considering attending. Let us stereotype the two adults, two children which is often used in ticket sales. For The Big Gig, this will cost you a maximum of £20: that’s £6 per adult, and £4 per child over the age of 10 years. A family ticket for West Park Party is £70. Adults are priced at £30, with children over 5 years at £20, and “new age pensioners” at £22.50. But remember, what you are getting for that cost.

Bottom line: both festivals aim to involve everyone, offering a range of opportunities and experiences for the community. What sways your decision should be which acts you want to see. You may have seen Nineties Boy and The Hubbards perform numerous times, whereas you’ve never seen Ella Eyre, who has also been announced as part of the West Park Party line-up. You may want the comfort of knowing that you will enjoy the day if you see the bands you see regularly – for many with learning disabilities, familiarity is essential, and so this is ideal. You may decide to kick off the festival season with something different.

Your reasons for attending one over the other are individual. This is a snapshot of the pros and cons of each. All I can advise is that you are there at one of them. Start the festival season as you wish.

Tickets for West Park Party are available online at http://westparkparty.co.uk/tickets or over the ticket hotline on 0800 689 3016

Tickets for The Big Gig are available through Hull Box Office https://www.hullboxoffice.co.uk/tickets/buy_ticket/511

Music Journalist and Blogger Nix Chidlow with a sneak preview look at two new Hull festivals- The Big Gig and West Park Party

http://www.apollofestival.co.uk/

After 2 fantastic years which saw us nominated for "Most Outstsanding Festival 2014" we are counting down to Apollo Festival 2015 which will be held on June 27th at York Sports Club, Shipton Rd.

Every year we are going to bring a different theme to Apollo to add a little fun.

And this year is HATS any hats the bigger and stranger the better we love it when you guys get involved. And for this year The lucky winner of our competition Will win Free tickets to Apollo 2016...!! Which may I add is shaping up well all ready! So come on get your thinking caps on! ;-)

Shed Seven's Rick Witter will host a stage for up-and-coming local talent at this years Apollo Festival hosting an "introducing stage"

Inspiral Carpets Announced As Apollo Festival 2015 Headliners

15 Days of Music and Arts in the Yorkshire Dales

12th - 27th June 2015

http://www.grassington-festival.org.uk/

Grassington Festival has been providing a lively and enriching cultural experience to residents and visitors for 34 years with its combination of performances, visual arts and live music. In 2015 we proudly celebrate our 35th birthday!

For the last two weeks of June each year, Grassington comes alive in a myriad of colours and creativity as artists, bands, art enthusiasts and local people collaborate to entertain and inspire with unusual and unique live

performances, from music, dance and street theatre to workshops, talks, walks and creative challenges.

Cornucopia Music, Arts and Culture Festival 25 - 27 September 2015

http://cornucopiafestival.co.uk/

Now in its third year, the idea for Cornucopia Festival was conceived in a pub by a group of friends, the aim being to provide a variety of music genres whilst enjoying a very relaxed atmosphere.

The festival taps into the age old tradition of celebrating the changing of the seasons from summer into autumn, Michaelmas day falls on the 29th September near the equinox marking the beginning of autumn. The word Cornucopia means the Horn of plenty, referring to the harvest of corn, fruit and vegetables, which has been celebrated throughout time. Cornucopia’s horn of plenty is filled with music, art, comedy, dance, food and ale the perfect way to celebrate this age old tradition.

The festival has moved to Burton Constable Hall having had the first year on the farm and year 2 at Burton Agnes Hall. Our new home Burton Constable Hall offers us a host of new venues and facilities, and is recognised as one of the finest Elizabethan Houses in the Country, more details at www.burtonconstable.com

Cornucopia is a weekend festival, with programmed events throughout, a campsite is located within the festival site.

Wilberforce and the Origins of Freedom Festival

Freedom Festival grew out of commemorations in Hull in 2007 of the 200th anniversary of William Wilberforce’s Act of Parliament, which abolished the slave trade in the British Empire.

William Wilberforce was born on High Street in Hull on 24th August 1759. He began his political career in 1780, becoming the Independent Member of Parliament for Yorkshire in 1784.  A few years into his career, he became involved in the movement of abolitionism, campaigning to end slavery in the UK and its colonies, and he soon became one of the leading English abolitionists. For 26 years, Wilberforce headed the parliamentary campaign against the British slave trade until the passage of the Slave Trade Act of 1807.  

Wilberforce 2007

Freedom Festival is the lasting legacy of the Wilberforce 2007 campaign which celebrated the pioneering work of Hull-born MP William Wilberforce, and the bicentenary of the abolition of the slave trade in the British Empire. During 2007, Hull was at the centre of the world’s bicentennial celebrations, remembering the life and work of Hull’s most famous son.

The city commemorated with 34 weeks of events and activities, highlighting issues of slavery and emancipation that are still current today. Following this successful year, it was agreed that Wilberforce’s legacy needed to be marked and celebrated annually, and Freedom Festival was born.

Celebrating Freedom

Freedom Festival organisers are committed to communicating and strengthening the link between the event and its origins in celebrating Wilberforce’s legacy.

The festival will always make reference to the concept of ‘freedom’, pushing boundaries to express the concept in a variety of ways and – together with our advisory partners including Hull Amnesty Group – helping to raise awareness of the challenges to freedom that still exist and are highly relevant today.

An evaluation report on Freedom Festival 2013 revealed that 83% of visitors knew that the festival was intended to celebrate Hull’s contribution to the cause of freedom.

http://www.freedomfestival.co.uk/project/freedom_2014.php

Shepley Spring Festival 20-22nd May 2016

Tickets for 2016 are already on sale. Please contact us by email info@shepleyspringfestival.com

SHEPLEY FESTIVAL SPRING 2016

www.shepleyspringfestival.com

SHEPLEY Spring Festival The three-day village festival, on the edge of the beautiful South Pennines, features some of the very top performers in traditional music, song and dance from Britain and beyond, on a brand new site which offers the best facilities in the event’s eight-year history.

 Shepley Spring Festival really is a great deal more than simply a folk festival.

Voted ‘Village Festival of the Year’ in 2012, the local community has embraced the event enthusiastically to make it a really friendly, family weekend with a huge range

of things to entertain everyone.

Venues and pubs around Shepley will host dance displays, music, dance and song sessions and workshops plus a full programme of youth and children's activities.

Linking all of these and with Shepley’s local rail station will be a free service by one of the very few surviving 1950s RT-type red London buses, just like that in Cliff Richard's ‘Summer Holiday’.

On the edge of the Peak District in West Yorkshire, the new home for the festival is a huge step forward. Now, all the parking, concert venues, camping, craft fair and showground attractions can all be on a single site, allowing more activities plus food traders, real ales and ciders, to give a better experience for everyone.

Younger visitors can look forward to a Kids’ Zone with music sessions, face painting, mini go-karts, inflatables and rides. There’s a Children’s Showcase Concert and Panic Circus returns with unicycles, hoops, diabolos, shows and Punch & Judy. There’s a splendid adventure playground close by and Bricks4kids is bringing Duplo challenges such as tower building, relays and building races.

Festival Director James McKinlay said: “I am very excited about the return of Shepley Spring Festival for 2015 and am really pleased with the new site.

“It is very close to the previous venue but is larger, flatter and more sheltered, so it gives us the opportunity to expand the festival. The result is a larger main concert

marquee, allowing a bigger guest list featuring more big names than ever.

“There is a greater range of stalls, rides, entertainment and food, all in an area that retains our festival’s special ‘village green’ feel.

“We have expanded our children’s activity programme, upgraded the beer tent, which is also a performance venue, and also have a new craft tent, the Baa Baa

Bazaar.

“You can walk in and just enjoy the atmosphere and entertainment on site or take in some of the amazing concerts we have lined up. Some of our performers, such as

the legendary Steeleye Span, need no introduction while others are poised to be the stars of the future.

“This year, we have put a lot of extra effort into making the festival accessible for everyone. So, for example, for the first time our main stage is wheelchair accessible.

We’ve also made it easier to come along by train by putting on a free vintage bus service to link the festival venues and Shepley’s local station.

“And with many of the venues under cover, you’ll still be able to enjoy the music whatever the weather.”

Shepley Spring Festival is located on the main A629/A635 routes between Huddersfield and Barnsley and on the Penistone rail line. For more information visit

www.shepleyspringfestival.co.uk Tickets are available on the day but the full weekend ticket bought in advance offers the best value for money.

See website www.shepleyspringfestival.com for tickets or ring 01484 604704.

Platform Music Festival
Thursday 16th - Saturday 18th July
The Old Station, Pocklington

Box office (01759) 301547
pocklingtonartscentre.co.uk
platformfestival.net

Platform Music & Comedy Festival will take place on July 16th, 17th and 18th in The Old Station in Pocklington (East Yorks),

where for the previous three years Pocktoberfest was staged. Based on the experience and expertise Pocklington Arts Centre gained from co-organising these highly successful and acclaimed events, they have decided to stage their very own festival establishing a new identity and brand with the main focus being on music and comedy.

Five-time Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter and 2012 Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee Mary Chapin Carpenter will headline on Thursday 16th July with support from BBC Radio 2 Folk Award winner Bella Hardy. The tour marks Carpenter’s return to singing both timeless hits and deep cuts from her expansive and beloved 13-album cataloge after performing with orchestras in early 2014, she will be joined on stage by longtime friends Jon Carroll (piano) and Austin Nevins (guitars). Over the course of her career, Carpenter has sold over 13 million records. With hits like “Passionate Kisses” and “He Thinks He’ll Keep Her,” she has won five Grammy Awards (with 15 nominations), two CMA awards and two Academy of Country Music awards for her vocals. Her songs speak to the most personal of life’s details and the most universal.

The Nation’s favourite pub philosopher turns pop-up publican (and politician) Al Murray - The Pub Landlord brings his legendary Summer Saloon to the festival on Friday 17th July. Comedy, variety and music are all on tap in this headline show led by the ringmaster of rabble rousing. This is a rare opportunity to catch one of Britain’s finest comedians as he polishes his legendary bar-room banter with very special guests Chris Ramsey (Celebrity Juice, Live at the Apollo) and Craig Campbell (Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow, Russell Howard’s Good News).

Britain’s most successful folk/roots act Bellowhead will be headlining on Saturday 18th July. The band are widely praised for their stunning live shows and often acknowledged as one of the best live acts the UK has produced in recent years, wowing audiences in venues across the UK, Europe and North America and becoming a key fixture on the festival scene. In the process they’ve won BBC Radio 2 Best Live Act an amazing 5 times, as well as Best Group twice. A blistering 11-piece band fusing folk, funk, rock, world, jazz, music hall and classical music, they have placed themselves at the cutting edge of the contemporary music scene. The band were recently described by BBC Radio 2 presenter Chris Evans as “one of the best live experiences available in the world today”. The event will feature an array of musical talent across two stages including The Shires, The Magic Numbers, Stornoway, David Ford, Buffalo Skinners, Barcode Zebra, Beth McCarthy, Sam Griffiths, The Grand Ole Uke of York, TE Morris and Dan Webster. The event will also have an outdoor stage curated by Access to Music. The Music college offers courses in Music Performance, Vocal Artist, Music Technology, Artist Development, Music Business and Skills Through Music. The aim is to showcase and to provide a platform for young, emerging performers from around the region.

The award-winning Brass Castle Brewery along with York Wine & Beer Shop will be sourcing a diverse range of drinks for the festival and there will be some fantastic regional caterers including Smokin' Blues Smokehouse & BBQ providing southern state street food, Bánh mì Booth a Yorkshire-based purveyor of delicious Vietnamese-inspired street food & noodles and Judsons of Pocklington.