Northgate Folk Festival, the North West’s new experimental and contemporary folk all-dayer, makes its much anticipated return.

Presented by Choir of Outsiders, Northgate Folk Festival champions forward-thinking artists forging their own paths in traditional music. From haunting originals to full-blooded reworkings of centuries-old work-songs; the event will once again showcase the new wave of acts who embody the genre’s ever-evolving nature.

Nestled within the city’s ancient Roman Walls, last year’s lineup included Brìghde Chaimbeul, Shovel Dance Collective, The Gentle Good, Milkweed, Jennifer Reid and more, and the second edition boasts an equally unmissable bill of exploratory talent, featuring:

Stick In The Wheel | Nick Hart | Frankie Archer | Goblin Band | Mary Elizabeth Remington | Craven | Brown Wimpenny | Caitlin Gilligan | Seb Stone | Rosie Brownhill | Stone Club DJs

Plus Dance Displays from Molly No-Mates, Kinnerton Morris Men & Clerical Error.

Famed for their intense live shows exploring the raw holler of folk, synths, spoken word and intricate rustic dobro guitar, you couldn’t find a more fitting headliner than Stick In The Wheel. The East London outfit speak to contemporary issues of class, using multi-layered sonic palettes to deeply reflect hidden histories, told with a razor-sharp authenticity. Songlines describe the radical roots trio as “a diamond-hard machine” live, and BBC Late Junction have rightfully labelled them as “one of the hardest working bands on the folk circuit.”

Another act who is quickly becoming known for shaking up genres and traditions, challenging perspectives and calling for a fairer future is Frankie Archer. Using a combination of manipulated samples, drum tracks and earthy Northumbrian fiddle and voice, the rising electrofolk iconoclast has been featured on ‘Later... With Jools Holland’ and recently supported The Last Dinner Party. Nick Hart is an award-winning multi-instrumentalist who recalls “the very best English roots singers” (Mike Harding) of yesteryear. His deep respect for the nuances of traditional song and his captivating live performances are a testament to the importance he places on storytelling.

We are thrilled to have multi-disciplinary artist and singer/songwriter Mary Elizabeth Remington joining us from Massachusetts. Attendees will be among the first in the UK to hear her “beautifully intimate” (AmericanaHighways) compositions from her “startling folk debut” (MOJO), which features contributions from Big Thief’s Adrianne Lenker & James Krivchenia.

Goblin Band are like no one else on the scene, “sounding like a 17th century punk band” (KLOF) they strive to make a space for new audiences to experience traditional music in a manner which is both riotously joyful and deeply sincere. Employing all manner of ancient instruments, Martin Carthy can’t get enough, and neither can we.

Young singers of the old songs and the new dancers of the old jigs, eleven-piece Brown Wimpenny appear alongside Cardiff/Stroud based queer folk band Craven, who effortlessly mine ancient ballads for contemporary meanings. Elsewhere, Scottish folk musician Caitlin Gilligan will bring her bare-boned, poetically-crafted songs to proceedings; master piper, whistle player and performer Seb Stone is sure to “engage his audience with the air of a storyteller far past his early twenties” (Tradfolk); and multi-instrumentalist Rosie Brownhill will open with her gorgeous pastoral compositions.

Stone Club are widely known for celebrating the “enigmatic relationship between ancient stone monuments, folklore and music” (Shindig!) and we’re absolutely delighted to have them soundtracking the festival.

Festivalgoers can also expect impressive dance displays from Bristol’s premier queer, drag king Molly dancing team, Molly No-Mates, Kinnerton Morris Men who perform traditional dances from the Cotswolds, and Clerical Error Morris Dancers, a mixed Welsh Border Morris side who dance with pick axe handles rather than hankies, and have the bruises to prove it!

“I think it’s probably fair to say that there aren’t many promoters putting on such original lineups as this, so I applaud their efforts, and I hope this sort of venture encourages others to start being more creative with their lineup choices.” - KLOF Magazine on Northgate Folk Festival 2023

12pm – 11pm | £20 adv £22 otd | Alexander’s Live, Rufus Court, CH1 2JW, Chester

Student tickets require valid student ID / valid proof of being a student on entry.