Friends of Folk gigs enter their 10th year
This took place in April 2005 in the foyer bar at Preston’s Guild Hall.
The 2014 line-up of artists is now fully booked and four of the five gigs before the summer break will take place at New Longton.
The New Longton nights are:
Friday, February 7: Brian McNeill
Friday, March 7: Nelsons Wake
Friday, May 2: Joe Broughton’s Urban Folk Quartet
Friday, June 6: Nick Hennessey
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Hide AdTickets are available to buy on-line at www.fofshop.com and details can be found at www.friendsoffolk.org.uk.
Organiser Jim Minall said: “The 2005 gig went so well that many more were soon to follow and that one-off has turned into over 200 events in the years that followed.
“The concerts have taken place in many different venues and attracted varying sizes of audience – from 900 in Preston Guild Hall to 50 in a village hall.
“Most have been very successful, but a few were spectacular failures!
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Hide Ad“Still the intention never was to make money and from the outset Friends of Folk was a not-for-profit organisation.
“It’s only aim was to bring the best in folk, folk-rock, acoustic and other good music to its supporters.”
Past line-ups have included Steeleye Span, Fairport Convention, Feast of Fiddles, Pentangle, Ralph McTell, Julie Felix (right), Dave Swarbrick, Kathryn Tickell, Ken Nicol, and Peter Knight. Jim added: “There is a very selfish side to the venture in that I get to pick the artists and meet face to face many of the people I have just previously admired from my seat in the audience. New Longton Village Hall is proving to be an excellent venue with a friendly atmosphere and has been a hit with the artists. At a recent gig Julie Felix said how much she had enjoyed playing at the venue.
“The last three concerts of 2013 were successful with two selling out and a third almost reaching the 180 capacity.”