Canal festival to bring folk back to the people

The Folk on the Water music festival celebrates its seventh year by bringing more than 100 musicians to canals in the area.

Highlights include Emily Middlemas, who was mentored by Cheryl Cole on The X-Factor, famed busking troupe Phat Bollard, double BBC Folk Award nominee Luke Jackson and the Daily Telegraph’s ‘Best Folk Artists of 2014’, Kim Lowings & The Greenwood.

Folk veteran Phil Hare will be giving a guitar masterclass aboard the festival boat, and there will also be a ‘singaround’ open to any musicians who just want to turn up and join in.

Joining the bill is Warwickshire singer Hollie Aires. She said: “I love playing festivals but it’s special to be asked to headline at Folk on the Water because I grew up watching acts appearing each year and I imagined I would play there one day.”

Folk on the Water comes to The Two Boats, Long Itchington on Saturday and Sunday at 7pm, The Fusilier pub in Sydenham Drive, Leamington on June 25 and 26 at 7pm, The Cape of Good Hope pub in Lower Cape, Warwick on June 27 and 28 at 6pm, The Boat Inn, Stockton on July 1 and 2 at 7pm, The Admiral Nelson in Braunston on July 3 at 7.30pm and The Folly Inn, Napton on July 4 and 5 at 6pm.

Entry to all concerts is free of charge with a strongly encouraged donation from each person to Zoe’s Place Children’s Hospice and Alfie’s Moon pony rescue.

Visit www.folkonthewater.co.uk for more details.