Announcing Derby Folk Weekender!

Wed 20 Mar 2019

This year Derby Folk Festival will be taking a break from the normal format, in its place, Derby LIVE and PR Promotions will be hosting the Derby Folk Weekender from Friday 4 – Sunday 6 October 2019.

2019 is a year where Derby is investing significantly in its venues on the Market Place. This has presented some logistical challenges with venues and available space while these works are carried out. The Market Place will no longer have room for the Folk Festival Marquee, and the Guildhall Theatre won’t re-open until after the festival. Not wanting to lose a fantastic weekend of music and events, Derby LIVE and PR promotions are excited to launch this new Weekender format for 2019 and look forward to the full Derby Folk Festival returning in the future.  

Derby LIVE and PR Promotions have put together a fantastic range of concerts; all as part of the Derby Folk Weekender. There are individual concerts in Derby Cathedral on Friday evening, and Saturday, and concerts in The Old Bell Hotel on Friday evening, and through Saturday and Sunday.

Tickets for the concerts in these two venues will be available individually, as well as some multi-buy deals to allow people the chance to make their own “mini-festival”.

Many exciting acts have already been confirmed, stretching across a broad spectrum of folk music. Concerts will feature Rachael McShane & The Cartographers, De Temps Antan, The Urban Folk Quartet, Andy Irvine, The Willows, Kongero, Sam Kelly & Ruth Notman, Kitty Macfarlane, Bob Fox, Moirai, Katie Spencer, Barry Coope, Winter Wilson, Nick Hart, Steve Turner, ,and Luke Jackson

Alongside these concerts, the Guildhall Clubrooms will be open for the usual, intimate folk-club-rooms concerts, and some great singing – and these will be open to anyone with any of the concert tickets (subject to available space). There will also be music sessions in The Old Bell’s Tudor Bar, and fringe events on the Market Place with music, dancing, and the ever-popular craft fair.

Music lovers are invited to enjoy the folk weekend of their choice, with either a full weekend of fabulous music, or just a few unique concerts. This year’s format gives a range of opportunities to continue the fuller experience, or to pick and choose the individual concerts that you’d like to see.

Councillor Alan Grimadell, Cabinet member for Leisure, Culture and Tourism said: “We are excited to be partnering once again with PR Promotions, this time to bring the Derby Folk Weekender to the people of Derby and beyond. Following on from twelve successful years of Derby Folk Festival, we’re proud to be providing this unique weekend with fantastic folk events across the city centre. Featuring concerts at Derby Cathedral, The Old Bell Hotel and the Guildhall Clubrooms and with free fringe events across the city centre we’re certain that Derby City Centre will benefit from the vibrant atmosphere the Weekender will bring.” 

With the whole weekender programme taking place in and around the city, it is perfectly placed for those arriving by either bus or train. Tickets are available and can be purchased through the Sales and Information Centre on 01332 255800, at our event page, or in person at the Assembly Rooms, Market Place, Derby.

Find out more at derbyfolkfestival.co.uk and keep up to date with the latest weekender announcements on Twitter and Facebook.