Celebrated international artists form line-up for Gate to Southwell Festival, including return of act from the very first festival
An artist who performed at the first Gate to Southwell Festival is making a return as this summer’s opening act, among a host of celebrated international acts.
Organisers have said there are “already great expectations” for this year’s Gate To Southwell Festival (GTSF), with multi-award winning American folk legend Rhiannon Giddens, who has been nominated for two more Grammys in 2024, celebrated Scottish band Manran, traditional Irish music stars The Haar and acclaimed Canadian artists including The Fugitives and singer-songwriters Catherine McClellan and Tara MacLean among the acts set for the stage at the popular summer festival.
The festival will open with headline act Northumbrian piper Kathryn Tickell and The Darkening — a ‘very welcome’ return as Kathryn performed at the first iteration of the festival back in 2007.
Other new year additions to the strong line-up feature a return to Southwell for a Ross Wilson aka Blue Rose Code, branded “one of the greatest live acts around”, who will perform with his Big Caley Soul Band, and An Dannsa Dub will add another award-winning Scottish act to the mix, with their fusion of folk, reggae and dance music.
The eclectic and international music mix over four days at GTSF 2024, will also include sets by Americana stars Campbell/Jensen featuring Glen Campbell’s daughter Ashley, Sheffield’s folk super-group the Melrose Quartet, featuring Nancy Kerr, James Fagan and Jess and Richard Arrowsmith, Gambian kora player and percussionist Suntou Susso, English folk troubadour Reg Meuross, and Australian sister duo Charm of Finches.
Thursday, July 4, will also be marked during the festival, with The Great American Songbook on the Folk Stage.
Music is not all there is to the festival — there will also be dance, comedy, spoken word, food, drink, craft fairs and family entertainment, along with camping and glamping at the rural festival site near Southwell.
This year marks the 17th festival, and tickets can be found at gtsf.uk.
It will be held from July 4, to July 7, 2024.
