SIDMOUTH Folk Festival, one of the biggest events in the folk and traditional music and dance calendar, is 70 this year. It is not the 70th festival (Covid and other factors intervened), but this seaside celebration of folk music, dance and song began in 1955, and it’s back this year from 1st to 8th August, in marquees and venues around pretty Sidmouth, with an amazing line-up.

From Morris dancers and shanty singers to the big names in contemporary folk, there is folk music for all tastes. The list is very long, so here are just a few of the performers …

Richard Thompson, Dervish. Steve Knightley and friends, Grace Petrie, Talisk, Peatbog Faeries, Seth Lakeman Band, Jon Boden and The Remnant Kings, Martin and Eliza Carthy (pictured), John Tams, Leveret, The Rheingans Sisters and Sam Sweeney.

The festival has always prided itself on creating an inclusive music community that embraces variety – celebrating tradition in all its many forms, including the rich diversity of folk arts in the UK, from the grassroots to the cutting edge, from long-established stars to emerging talent.

It’s an immersive, participative week-long gathering of songs, stories, tunes and shared culture – deeply rooted, ever-evolving and open to everyone.

It is also, of course, a great boost to the economy not only of this coastal town but of the East Devon area more widely, attracting tens of thousands of visitors every August.

Kick off Sidmouth folk week with a couple of exciting pre-festival gigs – Cornwall’s much-loved Fisherman’s Friends at The Ham on Thursday 31st July at 7.30pm, and the legendary Fairport Convention on Friday 1st August at 3pm.