It was held on
21st September Hertfordshire. Aldenham Country Park, Nr Elstree. WD6
Since the festival we have started a boutique label, which has gained 4* reviews for the last two releases from The Telegraph and we regularly curate stages at other people's festivals. Projects are run by Helen Meissner who can be contacted in the message page or via email - [email protected]. Folkstock wa
s a joyous fusion of contemporary and traditional acoustic folk and roots music bringing together all strands of this fascinating genre. At last Folk seems to be coming out of the Folk Clubs and into mainstream media. Young people possibly inspired by bands such as Bellowhead, Laura Marling and Mumford and Sons are excited by the opportunities for self expression and are writing heartfelt original music accompanied by traditional instruments and often gorgeous harmonies. If this is a backlash to the so called performers we have been fed on reality tv then this is a good by product! The old guard are still there, thankfully, providing a guiding and increasingly encouraging light to these younger performers with their 'new' folk and bringing a broader definition of folk and numerous ' is this folk ? ' conversations into the clubs too. There will be indie folk, alt folk, rock folk, blues folk, trad folk, electric folk, nu folk, acoustic folk, irish, english, scottish and welsh folk, contemporary and possibly experimental folk..with a sprinkling of ceilidh bands and morris dancing...and some short plays, poetry reading and child friendly activities around the ' Village Green'. This festival was intended to
-celebrate the new and the old and showcase the range of folky goodness available for us all to enjoy, in essence to showcase the beautiful diversity on offer using the Two outdoor stages - This is Folk and Is this Folk ?...two tented stages and a " Village Green"
-encourage people to take a risk with a genre they have perhaps ignored and
-provide a supportive platform for the emerging as well as the experienced performers from across the country. The festival is also intended to bring forward new musicians, having attended a series of workshops, low key gigs and coaching sessions to develop their stage presence and songwriting technique. As I think I overheard Julie Fowlis talking about the Folk genre, say the other day 'we get them all in the end !'
So I see this festival as a small step towards speeding up the journey ! BBC Radio Two Folk Awards winner 2012, Lucy Ward has confirmed that she will be performing at the festival ! Kris Drever and Eamonn Coyne are going to double head the Folk stage, but really, the whole day is full of headliners with Josienne Clarke and Ben Walker, Reg Meuross, Luke Jackson, Tinkerscuss's Bryony and Erin Holden, Michelle Holding and Bonz, Pauline Alexander, Sophie Jamieson, Marina Florance, Maria Barham, Said the Maiden to name a few. Over on the Alt Folk stage, which is headed by The Willows, we have Boho Dancer, The Folk, The Fallows, Indi Forde, The Hard Earth, Lucy Cait, The Worry Dolls, Flaming June, The Floe, Jamie Parisio, Ghost Trains, again, among other acts who could all headline. Other fabulous acts include Two Coats Colder, The Bounty Hounds, Mossy Nolan, Lanre, The Halstead Clan, Maisie Mae, Connor Bannister, Zoe Phillips, Daisy Lewis, Alex Dee, Johnno Casson, Bob Meyer, Bearwood, Noel Cowley, The Bailey Sisters, Cathy Jewson, The Good, Bad and the Ginger, Daria Kulesh, Joe Wilkes, Ragged Staff and Minnie Birch. Chylde Owlett, Chuck Owston, De - Malebysse. So you can see, all could be headliners ! More acts are to be confirmed nearer the time. It as a low ticket entry, intimate rustic family friendly event. Neil King from respected folk and acoustic magazine FATEA has offered to interview bands and is holding a masterclass on 29th June at Church Farm Ardeley, on successful marketing and media management for unsigned artists - how to approach blogs, radio and press and get yourself on the play list. These Satellite mini festivals and showcase evenings/masterclasses are also planned to develop the stage presence and give exposure to local artists who wish to participate. Details of these can be found on the foundation's website : http://www.folkstockrecords.com/
This project is the brain child of Helen Meissner (a former Businesswoman of the Year for Hertfordshire, from when she was known as Helen Thomson in 1992 ). The festival was the subject of research from Linda Wilks from The Open University and a couple of papers have been published about the use of social media and the management and motivation of volunteers for music events. If you would like to know more, please get in touch.
