Best festival for sessions/singarounds?

21 Mar 25 - 11:56 AM (#4219565)
Subject: Best festival for sessions/singarounds?
From: GUEST,matt milton

I'm sure this must have been discussed at length many times, but I was wondering what you all think are the best UK folk festivals for sessions and singarounds?

I'm interested in which ones have the maximum opportunity to just go from session to session? or from singaround to singaround? I'm not fussed about the concerts or even workshops really...

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21 Mar 25 - 05:58 PM (#4219580)
Subject: RE: Best festival for sessions/singarounds?
From: FreddyHeadey

In case you need a prompt this page seems to have the most comprehensive listing of UK folk festivals I've seen.
https://ukfolkfestivals.co.uk/viewall.php

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21 Mar 25 - 07:30 PM (#4219584)
Subject: RE: Best festival for sessions/singarounds?
From: Raggytash

I'm going back 45 years ago when I was taken down to Bracknell Folk Festival by a newly acquired friend.

He said the BEST singing session ever was held in the Cellar bar.

I went in not quite knowing what to expect.

He was absolutely correct, the session was simply stunning, no instruments , just awesome singing. At one point there must have 5 or 6 different harmonies being sung.

If I close my eyes I can still hear it now all these years later.

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22 Mar 25 - 05:36 AM (#4219599)
Subject: RE: Best festival for sessions/singarounds?
From: Acorn4

Moira Furnace Folk Festival has a good programme of singarounds both onsite and at two local pubs The Railway Inn and The Rawdon Arms:Moira Furnace Folk Festival
You don't need a festival ticket for the fringe events

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22 Mar 25 - 06:16 AM (#4219603)
Subject: RE: Best festival for sessions/singarounds?
From: GUEST,Tom Patterson

I agree about the Moira Festival. Matt's question is a good one as in my experience there are not too many festivals where there are plenty of opportunities for singarounds. Quite a few don't seem to have any at all.

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22 Mar 25 - 04:40 PM (#4219615)
Subject: RE: Best festival for sessions/singarounds?
From: John MacKenzie

The two I know are Whitby, and Sidmouth.

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22 Mar 25 - 05:18 PM (#4219616)
Subject: RE: Best festival for sessions/singarounds?
From: FreddyHeadey

Glynne Davies set up a Facebook page
UK Folk Festival Fringe
for this sort of info.
Sadly it hasn't been used as much as it could be but might give some leads.

www.facebook.com/groups/756895488369039/

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23 Mar 25 - 01:19 AM (#4219631)
Subject: RE: Best festival for sessions/singarounds?
From: Manitas_at_home

Chippenham has always been good for sessions. In recent years both tune and song sessions have been organised in the beer tent in addition to those in various pubs.

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23 Mar 25 - 02:46 AM (#4219632)
Subject: RE: Best festival for sessions/singarounds?
From: The Sandman

The Festival i organise is good for singarounds and also sessions in Ireland , june 13 15 www.fastnetmaritime.com

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23 Mar 25 - 06:42 AM (#4219639)
Subject: RE: Best festival for sessions/singarounds?
From: GUEST,Completely Scuppered

We host a weekly shanty session at the Jenny Lind in Hastings, East Sussex, every Thursday from 20.30. We’ve been doing this for over ten years. Guest singers are always welcome.

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25 Mar 25 - 06:05 AM (#4219740)
Subject: RE: Best festival for sessions/singarounds?
From: Aethelric

The Moffat Rammy is only sessions and singarounds, and its's free.

You'll find details here:- The Moffat Rammy

It's a facebook page with details on if you scroll down a bit.

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25 Mar 25 - 07:23 AM (#4219748)
Subject: RE: Best festival for sessions/singarounds?
From: GUEST,Tom Patterson

The Morpeth Gathering (25th-27th April) has singarounds on Friday night and Saturday lunchtime which is better than many festivals seem to have.

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26 Mar 25 - 06:58 PM (#4219847)
Subject: RE: Best festival for sessions/singarounds?
From: GUEST,matt milton

Thanks for the suggestions!

I've thought about going to the Morpeth Gathering in previous years, because I play a lot of Northumbrian tunes (on fiddle). Might make it up there.

Sheffield Sessions weekend would be ideal - a whole weekend of nothing but sessions and singarounds - but that's on Easter weekend itself and I can't just desert my family then. Unfortunately.

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26 Mar 25 - 07:11 PM (#4219850)
Subject: RE: Best festival for sessions/singarounds?
From: GUEST,Tom Patterson

Twice as many tune sessions as singarounds at the Morpeth Gathering so it should be good for you, Matt!

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