Here's a bit of a round-up of happenings here at GTSF as we start to finalise plans for September, against a backdrop of Spring-in-the-air optimism. Ticket sales are going well (Early Bird tickets are all gone) and we've now released day tickets alongside discounted weekend and weekend-extra tickets which are already on sale.
No Teaser tickets will be available this year for safety and organisational reasons but, depending on what capacity limits may be imposed, separate evening concert tickets may be available nearer the time.
Following the sad cancellation of larger gatherings, we're more and more confident that well-organised smaller festivals will prosper in 2021. Given our size, we'll be able to go ahead even if the current stage of the roadmap is still in place - though the Government's aim is that we should be in stage 4 as early as the end of June.
The move to the new site means we have oodles of room available for us all to spread out - social distancing will not be an issue!
Whatever the position, we'll be taking great care to make the festival Covid-safe. There may be rules limiting ticket sales, we're re-thinking the stages and layout and we are planning for social distancing so that you can feel safe while you're here. Our aim will be to make visiting the festival even safer than a trip to the supermarket!
Line-up News
A couple of names have been added over the last few days. Firstly...
Alistair Russell & Chris Parkinson
One of the most loved acts on the UK folk music scene combining great stage presence with inventive and sparkling musicianship. The repertoire is a broad and enjoyable mix of traditional and contemporary music and song with a strong emphasis on audience participation.
Alistair is also here promoting his new book "Can't Do This On My Own", a light-hearted gallop through 40 years as a travelling musician - a life-affirming memoir of someone who's taken things as they've come to him, with no particular plan to follow. You can get a copy from his website here: https://www.alistairrussell.co.uk/shop/
Then there's...
Ellie Gowers
Ellie Gowers has been making an impression wherever she lands. Her music embeds a fierce energy that echoes the 60s folk revival scene and she is known to hold pride of place on stage with her strong and lucent vocals.
And we've also recently announced
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.
Plus on recent emails, N.C. Lawlor, Harbottle & Jonas and Knight & Spiers.
Over 30 internationally diverse music acts have already been booked for the long-awaited 14th event including London ska stars Maroon Town, singer-songwriter Reg Meuross (“a true troubadour with a social conscience” – Mark Radcliffe) and Bellowhead lynchpins Spiers & Boden. They join an eclectic bill of high calibre artists such as The Anxo Lorenzo Band, The Young’uns, The Gigspanner Big Band, The Breath, Ímar, Chris Wood, Edgelarks, The Henry Girls, Wizz Jones, Track Dogs and much more.
Sponsorship Opportunities
Do you know of any businesses who may be interested in one of our sponsorship packages? In order to keep building on the past successes of the festival, we are offering plenty of sponsorship opportunities this year – great deals for businesses to advertise on site and in this year’s programme and also to sponsor the four festival stages. They can phone 01636 816678 and we'll be happy to discuss.
Friends At The Gate
There’s also news of The Friends At The Gate charity, set up by regular visitors to the festival to help preserve folk culture and traditions, rural and artisan crafts such as blacksmithing, wood carving, pottery and, of course, music. Anyone who’d like to get involved should contact Leanneswain@btinternet.com.
To buy tickets and for more details of this September’s festival, visit www.gtsf.uk. As usual there’ll be camping and glamping, great family entertainment, food and craft stalls, a beer and cider festival, and other events, plus on site parking and special bus services to and from Southwell.
See you soon!
GTSF