Sam Kelly Trio
Sam Kelly has long been a firm favourite with Kimpton Folk Festival audience. This year the award-winning singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist will be joined by long-time collaborator Jamie Francis on banjo and virtuoso cellist Graham Coe. Expect haunting melodies, driving rhythms, immaculate musicianship and tons of fun.
Track Dogs
Track Dogs, consisting of two Irishmen, an Englishman, and an American, have established themselves as a versatile and talented ensemble in the music scene. With a name inspired by the hidden depths of New York's subway system, they have released seven albums, expanding to nine if including their earlier work as the Garrett Wall Band from 2006 to 2010. Their broad appeal has seen them grace a variety of festivals, from the iconic Glastonbury and Electric Picnic to the Americana Music Madrid and SXSW. This flexibility makes them a great fit for diverse audiences, whether performing at the Grand Northern Ukulele Festival or the Cork Jazz Festival. Track Dogs’ music transcends genres, resonating well with fans across the globe.
Calum Gilligan
Born in rural Galloway in Scotland, and now living in Liverpool, Calum Gilligan is gifted performer of beautiful and emotionally charged self-penned songs about life, love, and loss. His haunting vocals and intricate guitar-playing are winning over audiences wherever he performs.
Sykes Martin
Miranda Sykes and Hannah Martin are well known and respected in the folk world: Miranda has played with Show of Hands, the Phil Beer Band, and others, as well as having a successful solo career. Hannah is best known for playing with Edgelarks, and the Gigspanner Big Band. They were working on a duo project focusing on traditional sings when coronavirus hit. Discovering a magical alchemy in singing together, they formed a duo and will be on the road touring next year.
Bryony Griffith & Alice Jones
Bryony Griffith & Alice Jones are a powerful duo of acclaimed Yorkshire folk singers and musicians. Both come with a considerable pedigree; Fiddle-singer Bryony’s career has taken her from feisty a cappella group The Witches Of Elswick and the award-winning Demon Barbers to acclaimed duo work with Will Hampson, while Alice’s CV ranges from step-dancing and clogging prodigy, ceilidh band musician and membership of The John Dipper Band to soloist (singer and multi-instrumentalist) and collaborating with Pete Coe.
While, Matthews and While
This folk music supergroup brings together two acclaimed duos to form one extraordinary trio. Chris and Kellie While offer the kind of stunning vocal harmonies that only a mother and daughter can achieve, and together with Chris’ long-term singing partner Julie Matthews, deliver spine-tinglingly brilliant traditional and original songs.
Luke Jackson
Blessed with a distinctive, bluesy, soulful voice, UK based singer-songwriter Luke Jackson has developed an enviable reputation for himself in the Roots, Acoustic, Folk & Americana circuits by virtue of his acclaimed recordings and dynamic live performances, be they solo or trio. In addition to the UK, Luke regularly tours across Europe, USA, and Canada. We are delighted to welcome Luke to do a solo gig at next year’s festival.
Louise and Chris Rogan
Described as having a “pure and soaring voice”, Louise Rogan is a performer of the highest quality. Audiences enjoy her arrangements of traditional favourites as well as her self-penned songs. Currently performing as a duo with her Dad, Chris Rogan, the pair have been described as “flawless performers” by FATEA’s Tim Fox. “With his guitar and vocals added to Louise’s piano and wonderful vocal, the pairing is one which sits so easily with one another”. As a duo, they released their début album “Things That Matter”. The album is a mix of traditional and original songs which Bob Leslie of FATEA Magazine described as “one of the best début releases in the tradition genre I have heard”.
Nancy Kerr and James Fagan
Nancy and James need no introduction to Kimpton Folk Festival audiences or, indeed audiences anywhere in the world. They are folk music royalty and have been our festival patrons since 2017. Their gifted singing, songwriting and musicianship has won them countless accolades and awards. Don’t miss them!