LOCAL ARTISTS SHOWCASE – THURSDAY

A showcase of nine of the best talent from within around 50 miles of the festival.  A mix of up-and-coming and established acts playing from mid-afternoon Thursday on the Frontier Stage. Timings here.

THE LIMEWOODS

A five-piece alternative folk band from Lincolnshire, The Limewoods burst onto the scene last year with their lively original songs inspired by traditional tunes, life, friendships and good times. Expect toe-tapping energy, catchy riffs and choruses that get the crowd singing.

5 HILLS OUT

Melodic, politically sharp folk punk that feels raw and joyful. Guitars, accordion, bouzouki and dual saxophones stomp, swing and surge with emotional force. Their debut album ‘Dystopia Bazaar’ carries that same immersive punch, and their recent Narrowboat Sessions performance of ‘Lockout’ passed 1.5 million views in its first week.

LAKETOWN

Laketown is a new voice in the UK music scene, taking inspiration from the storytelling spirit of country music and embracing the sounds of pop and alternative. Described as a cross between Rascall Flatts and Luke Combs, they’ve put a modern twist on it, on stages across the country – including standout sets at The Long Road Festival, Buckle & Boots, BBC Introducing, and more.

GRASS ROOTS HIGH ROLLER CLUB

A collaborative bluegrass-country powerhouse from Lincoln drawing inspiration from legends like The Steel Drivers, Billy Strings, Tony Rice, and Doc Watson. With a line-up featuring guitar, mandolin, banjo, violin, bass, and drums, delivering anything from a foot-stomping barn-burner to a slow-burning ballad, and with multiple lead singers and soaring three-part harmonies.

THE JACKDOOR BLUES COLLECTIVE

A recently formed Notts-based band playing stripped-back, semi-acoustic blues and Americana fashioned from the barest essentials: rudimentary percussion, double bass, harmonica and acoustic or cigar box guitar – less is definitely more! Fine, mostly original songs, from stomping overdriven blues to delicately picked country, showcasing the outstanding harmonica playing of Andy Lowdon.

THE JOSIE FIELDS DUO

South African-born singer-songwriter Josie Field, a nine-time SAMA nominee and former BBC Introducing Artist of the Week, performs with Chris on lead guitar to form a magnetic duo. Field’s textured, blues-infused voice and powerful songwriting is framed by Chris’s sensitive, expressive guitar lines, producing soulful folk woven with bluesy grit and country edge.

GEORGE NASH

Guitarist, composer and a modern-day bard based in Nottingham, specialising in storytelling instrumental guitar music with a twist; think front man of a band. The 25-year-old channels his Welsh roots and blends folk, rock and Celtic music in a unique percussive fingerstyle guitar experience.

LEAH WILCOX

East Midland’s Leah Wilcox is a romantic glitterball of a songwriter. Her lyrics share songs of love and the female experience in her fun and quirky indie style she likes to call “countrygaze-pop”. Now a rising talent, having played Splendour, The Great Escape, TRUCK, Y?NOT and more. Expect a set with edge, dashes of choreography, and energy.

SARAH FARRELL

Sarah began bothering Nottingham folk club in 2022, pleasing audiences with folk/folk-adjacent songs. In 2024 she started writing, resulting in an imminent album, “Stoat-hearted Woman” featuring 13 original compositions about love, hate, animals, transport and Adrian Chiles!

We have a growing reputation for promoting new and exciting talent. Following the successes of artists at last year’s event – including Sticky Bones Jones and Warren Ireland who are coming back over the weekend this year – the 2026 Local Artists Showcase will again promote East Midlands talent on Thursday July 2nd on the cutting-edge Frontier Stage.

Curated once more by leading local performers Gordon Whyte and Malc Slater, nine artists will appear at this summer’s showcase which takes place on the very same day that legendary Fairport Convention singer-songwriter and guitarist Richard Thompson OBE appears at GTSF for the first time.