Norfolk's largest folk-rock and roots music event offers another top class line-up that has seen the seaside folk gathering built up a good reputation amongst both music lovers and performers.
Now in its 19th year, Norfolk's largest folk-rock and roots music event offers yet another top class line-up including headliners the Phil Beer Band, Feast of Fiddles and TRADarrr.
The seaside folk gathering, which begins today and runs until Sunday, has built up a good reputation amongst both music lovers and performers, with some returning year after year.
This year will feature new collaborations of many artists who have previously performed together or appeared at the festival in other guises.
And a highlight of this year's festival will be festival patron Ashley Hutchings' special tribute set to honour the 15th anniversary of Fairport Convention, the musically ground-breaking band he founded in 1967. Hutchings became patron of the festival in 2014 and in 2015 was awarded an MBE for his services to folk and traditional music.
In addition to his main stage appearance he will present his regular 'Patron's Spot' on Sunday morning of the festival where festival goers will have an opportunity to hear him talk about his career and the many projects he has been involved in.
The weekend will also showcase many artists making an appearance at Folk on the Pier as a solo artist, including Ray Cooper - formerly Chopper from festival favourites Oysterband; star of the Voice, Sally Barker from the Poozies; Emily Slade from the Phil Beer Band Band; and Miranda Sykes from Show of Hands. The common denominator is the sheer quality of the talent each musician displays.
The festival prides itself on the sheer variety of music it has to offer. This year includes Eastern European influences from Lebedek, flavours of Jean Michel Jarre performed bluegrass style by the Newgrass Cutters.
With world percussion rhythms from Breton based festival friend David 'Hopi' Hopkins, fiddle driven Roving Crows and Feast of Fiddles, acapella shanty-singing from the Longest Johns and folk rock from Rusty Shackle, TRAD Arr and Roving Crows the audience can expect a mesmerising musical experience.
Though it is centred on Cromer Pier there is a strong fringe programme with diverse acts appearing in lots of pubs and venues in the town. The main line-up includes on May 5 afternoon Lebedek, Mawkin and Johnny Coppin & Mike Silver and evening Ray Cooper, Richard Digance and Feast of Fiddles. May 6 afternoon includes Roving Crows, Sally Baker and Ashley Hutchings and friends; evening Miranda Sykes, Rusty Shackle and TRADarrr. May 7 afternoon features Hazeyjane with David 'Hopi' Hopkins, Brooks Williams and The Newgrass Cutters; the evening welcomes Longest Johns, Emily Slade and the Phil Beer Band.
• Folk on the Pier, Pavilion Theatre, Cromer Pier, May 5-7, various times, £18 afternoon gigs/£20 evening gigs, 01263 512495, www.folkonthepier.co.uk
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