Folk by the Oak will be celebrating its fifth festival in 2012, and will once again be filling Hertfordshire’s beautiful Hatfield Park with equally beautiful folk and acoustic music on Sunday 22 July.
Folk by the Oak festival organisers have recently announced the addition of the Acorn Stage; a small performance area within the catering village for a carefully selected handful of upcoming acts, including Nick and the Sun Machine from St Albans, and popular local band The Willows.
These artists have been hand-picked both from submissions to the festival, and also from the list of worthy finalists in the Hertfordshire New Roots competition for young musicians. Further performances will be from 13 year-old fiddle virtuoso Billy Hill, BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Award nominee Sunjay Brayne, and “dirty bluegrass folk ‘n’ roll” from Rusty Shackle.
The Acorn Stage sessions will provide an intimate showcase away from the main stage between sets.
“We’re really excited about the Acorn Stage”, says Festival Director Adam Slough. “It has given us the opportunity to book further acts and include some local upcoming performers as well.”
It means that these acts, relatively new on the scene, will have the opportunity to appear on the same bill as Folk superstars such as headliners Show of Hands (who recently sold out the Albert Hall for the fourth time), and the internationally acclaimed Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain.
The rest of the confirmed main stage line-up consists of the angelic Cara Dillon, energetic instrumentals from Breabach, award-winning songwriter Chris Wood, folk favourites Nancy Kerr & James Fagan, and Emily Barker & The Red Clay Halo, whose BAFTA-winning track Nostalgia you may recognise as the theme tune from BBC1’s Wallander.
As well as a list of stellar folk performers there will be plenty for all the family to enjoy at the stalls and activities including a craft tent, workshops, children’s activities, storytelling, circus skills, real ale bar, music stalls, recycled gifts and delicious food and Celtic Crafts from local group Celtic Harmony.
Folk by the Oak has gathered a strong following since it arrived back in ‘08. It has its own unique style with a relaxed and family friendly feel, where the organisers encourage you to bring your own food and drink along and make yourself at home. It’s a compact and leafy site with one main stage so you can pick a grassy spot, kick back and enjoy a whole day of top quality live music.
Fifty pence from each ticket sold for Folk by the Oak is donated to local Hatfield-based charity The Willow Foundation, who provide special days for seriously ill 16-40 year olds. Organisers are proud to announce that nearly £22,000 has been raised since the first event, both through ticket donations and on-the-day collections.
Published on 11 July 2012 by Wayne Feltham
Folk By The Oak 2012 Emily Barker & The Red Clay Halo Chris Wood James Fagan & Nancy Kerr
