International Roots Music Festival
Welcome to the 14th GTSF...
Welcome back to The Gate to Southwell Festival - four days of festival fun and an eclectic line-up of folksy, rootsy and acoustic music from the UK and further afield.
We are planning an exciting come-back for 2021, including a new venue in beautiful parkland, near the stunning market town of Southwell, in rural Nottinghamshire.
And...we've moved from early June to early September, from Thursday 2nd to Sunday 5th. Come for the whole four days, or for three days from Friday to Sunday. Day tickets will also be available nearer the festival.
To see what's new for 2021 click here.
News...
Here's a selection of recent news posts. Click "News" on the top menu for all our posts. Follow us on Facebook too to keep up to date, and join our mailing list via the link at the bottom of the page.
Line-Up 2021
We have started to confirm the first of 40+ acts...
The Young'uns
One of the most entertaining groups on the folk scene, The Young’uns are coming back to Southwell. "Glorious... celebrating the uncelebrated with warmth, vigour and passion" ★★★★, MOJO Magazine
Gigspanner Big Band
Peter Knight expanded Gigspanner with another trio of virtuoso performers to create a spectacular live group (not to mention an acclaimed album in early 2020) . "Magnificent....a feast of imaginative music" 5***** The Telegraph
Spiers & Boden
Founder members of Bellowhead, and winners of every award going - the duo are back together in 2021. "the most intriguing traditional duo in the UK" The Guardian
Anxo Lorenzo Band
Anxo Lorenzo is a virtuoso award-winning Galician piper who is renowned for his incandescent live performances. His band combines an absolute mastery of their instruments and provides a show full of power, passion and aural delight
The Breath
The Breath is guitarist Stuart McCallum and singer Ríoghnach Connolly. Nominated as best duo/group at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards 2019, with Rioghnach WINNING Folk Singer of the Year
Ímar
“Awesome, lush, stunning, jaw-dropping… all the adjectives have been heaped on Glasgow-based band Ímar since they arrived, seemingly fully formed, on the roots scene in 2016, their instrumental punch and pizzazz leaving listeners reeling.
Chris Wood
A longtime champion of English music, songwriter, composer, raconteur, thinker, musician, and outstanding singer - "the renaissance man of English folk."
Edgelarks
BBC Folk Award winners Edgelarks push the boundaries of the folk genre, combining influences as diverse as Indian classical and American blues with their British trad roots and original songwriting, to produce a sound like no other.
The Henry Girls
The Henry Girls return to GTSF! Last here in 2016 we are excited to have them back in 2021. Intricate 3-part harmonies and a mix of Irish folk, Americana and more - coupled with their tremendous musicianship on harp, banjo, fiddle, ukulele and accordion will make them a must-see act again this year
Wizz Jones
Legendary acoustic guitarist, singer-songwriter and bluesman – the man who taught Keith Richards how to play “Cocaine”, and winner of 2019 BBC Folk Awards lifetime achievement award.
Maroon Town
An explosive musical cocktail of authentic Jamaican ska mixed with rap, reggae, Latin & funk that has hooked fans & audiences from all over the world for over 30 years.
Track Dogs
From Madrid, and comprised of 2 Irishmen, 1 Englishman and 1 American, Track Dogs make a unique brand of acoustic music; a veritable 4×4 of voices and instruments and a dynamic fusion of styles including folk, latin, Americana & even some bluegrass.
Talisk
In their five years, Scottish firebrands Talisk have stacked up several major awards for their explosively energetic yet artfully woven sound, including 2018’s Belhaven Bursary for Innovation & 2017’s Folk Band of the Year both at the BBC Alba Scots Trad Music Awards, and a BBC Radio 2 Folk Award.
The Jellyman's Daughter
Scottish quartet The Jellyman's Daughter lands squarely in the middle of an intriguing crossroads between bluegrass, post-rock, folk and soul - with intriguing arrangements, and unique vocal harmonies.
Winter Wilson
Kip Winter and Dave Wilson bring a sense of intimacy to every venue, blending superb, often hard-hitting original songs, stunning harmonies and hilarious humour.
Rodney Branigan
Ever seen someone play 2 guitars at once? Rodney Branigan can play two better than most can play one! US born Rodney Branigan relocated to the UK after learning his craft across the pond and has since been stunning audiences around the world with his jaw-dropping guitar skills and delightful songwriting ability.
The Wilderness Yet
This new trio combines the acclaimed talents of folksinger Rosie Hodgson, traditional fiddler Rowan Piggott, and guitarist-flautist Philippe Barnes. Together, they weave a tapestry of traditional & self-penned songs with a charm and familiarity that is usually only found in seasoned line-ups.
The Last Inklings
The Last Inklings create music that inspires wonder and intrigue through songwriting, stories and soundscapes.
Banjo Jen
Based in Sheffield, British singer-songwriter Banjo Jen is the “all-singin’, all-dancin’, badass banjo-pickin’ girl”
Stone Jets
Cape Town’s Stone Jets — made up of Manfred Klose on guitars and Given Nkanyane on vocals and bass — creates toe-tapping music, wrapped in soul.
Iona Lane Band
Iona is a young, upcoming folk singer and musician who is currently studying for a Folk degree at Leeds College of Music under the tuition of Jim Moray, Nancy Kerr and Bryony Griffith.
The Maitree Express
The Maitree Express is a 7 piece band from Bath/Bristol, influenced by roots music and playing reggae, ska, hip hop, funk, swing, drum & bass and beats to get you moving!
Manière des Bohémiens
Playing improvised Django Reinhardt, Stephane Grappelli influenced Gypsy Jazz and Eastern European swing, they are the one of the most amazing live bands you will see.
The Rogue Embers
Derbyshire's Rogue Embers are a foot stomping, hand clapping, country and blues band who went down a storm here in 2018
Jessie Reid
Shropshire born singer-songwriter Jessie Reid, weaves impressive finger style guitar playing together with soulful, emotive vocal melodies.
The Rye Sisters
The Rye Sisters (Ishani and Sue) are a duo from Lincolnshire who perform Americana and folk-country songs in close harmony to guitar, mandolin and fiddle
Rainy Day Woman
Drawing from alt-country, bluegrass and the folk canon of an 'old, weird America', Rainy Day Woman play sparse, unhurried folk music.
Thorpe & Morrison
An enthusiastic, energetic traditional folk duo formed out of Joe Broughton’s Conservatoire Folk Ensemble
