The finale evening concert in the Memorial Hall at Kimpton Folk Festival 2019 is going to be a rip-roaring, get-up-and-dance extravaganza featuring two of the most entertaining bands around - Sheelanagig and the Smith & Brewer band.
However this very special concert comes with a health warning. Audience members are likely to be left breathless and exhausted…though undoubtedly screaming for more!
Headliners ar Kimpton Folk Festival 2019 are the astounding Sheelanagig, who’ve been wowing audiences all around the world with their foot-stomping blend of Balkan folk mayhem. They’ll be offering a mixture of furious dance medleys and brilliantly arranged original pieces, all performed with irresistible humour and energy.
It has to be said that Sheelanagig are grotesque.
That may seem a rather unfriendly way to describe these five hugely talented musicians, but they chose the name for the band…and that’s what Sheelanagig means. It’s the old Gaelic name for an architectural ‘grotesque’…a sort of gargoyle. So we’re fairly confident that Kimpton Folk Festival 2019 will be free of demons and evil spirits.
But back to the five musical spirits which make up the band Sheelanagig.
Prepare to be dazzled by the rhythmic energy of guitar, fiddle, flute, drums and double bass. Influences range from gypsy jazz to Swedish folk to Nova Scotian fiddle tunes, with a touch of Klezmer for good measure. These remarkable musicians are in huge demand across Europe and further afield so we are delighted to have them appearing at this year’s Kimpton festival.
Supporting Sheelanagig at Kinpton Folk Festival 2019 are the Ben Smith and Jimmy Brewer Band. Ben and Jimmy were a huge success at Kimpton’s first festival back in 2016. They’d only just formed as a duo, having met as solo artists supporting Joan Armatrading on a nationwide tour. Since then they’ve been delighting audiences in both the UK and the US with their gorgeous self-penned songs, brilliant guitar playing and close-harmony singing. This year they are joined by a drummer and bass player for one of their first major gigs as a four-piece band. Expect a foot-stomping mix of blues, folk and bluegrass.
It’s fair to say that this will not be an evening for the faint-hearted. You’ll definitely need to come wearing your dancing shoes, though seating will be available. Popular local Farr Brewery will provide everything needed to keep the party going at full-swing.
But for those of a less energetic persuasion, Kinpton Folk Festival 2019 offers the option of an equally brilliant evening’s entertainment in Kimpton’s beautiful 13th Century church, starring the ever-popular Nancy Kerry and James Fagan, patrons of Kimpton Folk Festival. They’ll be sharing the stage with the equally talented duo Jess and Richard Arrowsmith, before all four combine for a final set as the Melrose Quartet.
Also appearing at this year’s Kimpton Folk Festival are Edgelarks, Katriona Gilmore and Jamie Roberts, who are returning to touring after becoming parents, Ninebarrow, Alden, Patterson and Dashwood, Kim Lowings & The Greenwood, Glymjack, The Wilderness Yet, Odette Michell and Lizzy Hardingham.
Other attractions around the village activities for kids of all ages, including story-telling and face-painting. There will be singing and instrument workshops in the Dacre Rooms, and open-mic and other sessions in The Boot.
You can buy tickets here and now on this website.
