Derby Folk Festival reaches more people than ever before

Derby Folk Festival 2017

Tue 10 Oct 2017

The eleventh Derby Folk Festival has proven to be the most successful yet.

It reached more people than ever before, with record ticket sales for the event co-produced by us and PR Productions. Visitors came from across the country including Exeter, Leeds, Chester and Oxford, and even from Holland and Australia - demonstrating the benefits of continuing to make Derby a vibrant place to visit.

Highlights included Friday night headliners and multi BBC Radio 2 Folk Award winners Oysterband. Celebrating 40 years together, the band proved why they are long-standing festival favourites with a set filled with fantastic tracks from throughout their career. The very last performance by Coope Boyes & Simpson was an emotional experience for all, and featured great music and words filled with laughter and tears. The trio were joined by guests from their record label, No-Masters (including O’Hooley & Tidow, and members of Chumbawamba), and Canadian trio Finest Kind even flew in specially to join them for the performance.

Saturday night headliners Show of Hands, came to the festival in the middle of their “Cathedral Tour”, and were on fine form. Powerful songs, and wonderful musicianship from the ever popular trio saw the City Marquee full to capacity. False Lights made sure that the eleventh Derby Folk Festival closed in fantastic fashion, as they gave a full-on folk rock performance, previewing new songs from their forthcoming album. As ever, the festival closed with the sounds of patron John Tams’ Rolling Home being sung by the festival team and friends as False Lights took their bows.

Over the course of the weekend thousands of were able to enjoy the free fringe events that were hosted across the Cathedral Quarter. One of the more unusual fringe events included Sinfonia Viva performing from the top of Derby Cathedral’s 212ft tower.

The festival had an extensive series of fringe performances spreading the festival feel far and wide across the City centre. The Old Bell hosted more than twenty free fringe performances over the weekend. Many streets around the City were brought to life by numerous dance acts, locations included the Market Place, Sadlergate, Cornmarket, St Peter’s Cross and The Spot.

The eleventh Derby Folk Festival was supported by several key partners including Cathedral Quarter Derby, St Peters Quarter Derby, Visit Derby and Thornbridge Brewery which helped make the festival such a great event. 

Commentary on the eleventh Derby Folk Festival social media was highly positive.

Michael Cook‏ - Yes, amazing variety and quality of music, excellent venues, and just a lovely atmosphere.

Shire Folk‏ - Dazzling tunes and magnificent playing from @LeveretBand at @DerbyFolk this afternoon

Oka Vanga‏ - What can we say about @DerbyFolk - awesome time, superbly run & thanks for having us! Thank you all who came to see us & @villagefolkgigs

Kate Lee‏ - Superb set @NancyKerrMusic with #JamesFagan Stylish and spine tingling good musicians. @DerbyFolk

We are pleased to announce that the twelfth Derby Folk Festival is scheduled to take place between Friday 5 and Sunday 7 October 2018.