First acts announced for Musicport 2017

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This year’s 18th Musicport Festival held in the beautiful port of Whitby on the Yorkshire coast promises its usual high quality and eclectic line-up.

All in one indoor venue overlooking the North Sea with 6 stages (and a comedy bus) it is widely regarded as a great way to end the festival season and coincides with the October half term for many. With indoor camping as an option, a festival bazaar in the main hall and international food vans it has the outdoor festival vibe but protected from the elements and with lots of activities to participate in as well as acts to see.

In addition to the main festival the festival goes on tour to the surrounding villages on the Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday following the main event. This was a successful innovation in 2016 and makes staying around for a few days even more of an option for visitors as well as extending opportunities for audiences and performers. 

Festival director Jim McLaughlin said “The Afro Celt Sound System have long been on our wish list so we’re delighted on the back of their excellent new CD they have decided to tour again and that Musicport will be one of their few festival appearances this year. Kafaya are an astonishing new act comprising of musicians we have known over many years and both they & Afro Celts are on shortlist as best group in 2017 Songlines Awards. All the way down the list of acts there are surprises and delights of the highest order and with more still to be confirmed “ 

Published on 30 April 2017 by Ben Robinson

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