First wave of acts announced for Gate to Southwell Festival 2025

The Gate to Southwell Festival has announced the first wave of artists for its 2025 event.

Set to take place at the international roots and acoustic festival’s Kirklington Lakes site from July 3 to July 6 next year, the initial announcement includes acts from Italy, Australia and the UK.

Thursday night's headliner will be former Bellowhead frontman Jon Boden, who will be performing with his award-winning band The Remnant Kings.

Jon has been described by The Guardian as “the stand out performer of his generation”, and will play on the Lake Stage.

Also lined up for GTSF 2025, Track Dogs return to Southwell after successful visits in 2021 and 2023, as do Italian country blues and ragtime duo Veronica Sbergia and Max Bernardi.

Much acclaimed London band Skinny Lister will make their first appearance at the festival bringing comparisons with the “high octane folk funk” of Dexys and The Pogues.

More traditionally there’s the outstanding musicianship of The Rosie Hood Band, and She Shanties, a group of vocally strong women who love a “right good sing” — plus there’s Bohemian folk pop from Australian Lucy Gallant and the five-part harmonies and musical virtuosity of The Hunch, led by Hedgehog Pie’s Mick Doonan.

Last but not least of the initial announcements, talented young folk band Evolution of Fishermen — who have just released their first EP ‘Days Like These’ and are selling out gigs in London — will be bringing their five-piece band with a love of storytelling to the festival.

GTSF is a family-friendly festival which features acts from around the globe, and last year’s event attracted more than 5,000 visitors to the site near Southwell.

As well as music on several stages, the festival offers children’s entertainment, dancing and stalls across the festival weekend.