The 39th Ely Folk Festival has compounded its appeal by having an evening dedicated to Americana. The so-called ‘Roots and Branches – An Americana Evening” takes place on Saturday 12th July when four of the strongest acts on the scene will take the stage to celebrate all things roots and country.
Opening the evening will be Paul McClure, aka The Rutland Troubadour. Described as “open, honest, and warmly melodic” by KLOFmag, he is noted for his dry on-stage wit and powerful songwriting. McClure will be followed by Eve Selis, the Californian music veteran who has released eleven albums so far over her thirty-year career. A regular visitor to the UK, she has attracted rave reviews throughout her life, with her most recent album, 2024’s “Dark Sky Blue”, winning plaudits across the globe. Third to take the stage will be the home-grown Ags Connolly. He has “the perfect voice for country music” (American Songwriter) as well as the approval of legendary DJ Bob Harris, who says he offers “modern-day traditionalism of the very best kind”. His 2019 album “Wrong Again” was named UK Country Album of the Year at the 2020 UK Country Music Awards.
Finishing the evening with a bang will be “The Kings of British Americana“ (Americana UK) Danny And The Champions Of The World. Danny George Wilson has been making music for nearly thirty years, with Grand Drive, critical and audience darlings Bennett Wilson Poole, and of course the Champions. They will be playing songs from the latest album, “You Are Not Alone” (**** Uncut, **** Mojo) and their performance will undoubtedly be one of the highlights of the weekend. These four acts will join those already announced, including headliners Oysterband, The Dhol Foundation, Blackbeard’s Tea Party and Sam Kelly and the Lost Boys as well as Maddie Morris, Gaz Brookfield, Sound of the Sirens, Gaelforce, The Magpie Arc, Martin Simpson, and many others.
In addition, the festival offers the well-established local music showcase, an “open mic” competition with the chance to play on the main stage, ceilidhs, instrumental and dance workshops, ‘meet and greet’ sessions with some of the festival’s leading artists, jam sessions and children’s entertainment and of course the return of Dog Bingo! All this takes place on one site at the beautiful Stuntney Estate, just behind Ben’s Yard. Add in an outstanding real ale bar with over 25 real ales and ciders, the return of the enormously popular gin bar, and a wide range of mouth-watering food as well as plenty of tempting craft stalls and it’s clear to see why Ely Folk Festival continues to go from strength to strength where others of a similar size have failed.
The festival takes place from 11th – 13th July at Stuntney Estate adjacent to Ben’s Yard, Soham Road, Ely CB7 5TR. Tickets available now here and in the meantime, here’s the showreel from last year.
