Bristol Folk Festival

Over

Bristol Folk Festival returns with a breath-taking line-up of UK and world artists for the May Bank Holiday weekend. 

Talisk open the festival with a bang on Friday 2 May with theor ground-breaking, chart-topping folk amidst a storm of strobe, light and swirling sound. 

Saturday 3 May brings a special double headline concert at St George’s Bristol. Godfather of blues and one of the world’s finest guitarists, Martin Simpson shares the stage with rising star Katherine Priddy.  

The festival closes with a feast of world music and strings. Royal Harpist and chart-topper Catrin Finch is the most gifted harp virtuoso of her generation.  On Sunday 4 May she takes to the main stage of St George’s Bristol with Dublin-based violinist Aoife Ní Bhriain as they perform their acclaimed No.1 album ‘Double You’ (Classical and World Music charts). 

Joining the Sunday night closing concert at St George’s is Suntou Susso. Celebrated across Africa and Europe, Suntou is a multi-instrumentalist, Kora player, percussionist, singer and composer from The Gambia. Born into the 700-year-old Griot tradition, Suntou brings sunshine to the stage, unifying people through song. 

Also in the line-up are a 14-piece folk orchestra, a band tipped by Paul McCartney as the next big thing, sea shanties, Bristol’s 6 music darling boci, Ceilidhs, sword dancers and incredible music down at the Late Night Folk sessions at The Architect.

Concerts & gigs in Bristol

Bristol festivals