Hello Ely Folk! Very pleased to announce our Friday showcases highlighting local talent. This year we have alt.country and murder folk from Old Man Boom, a real rising country star in Georgia Nevada and laidback Americana from Joe & Mary. Photo of Georgia Nevada by Michelle Fredericks.
Hello Ely Folk! Delighted to say that our line-up has been joined by the amazing Sailor Swift, who bears an uncanny resemblance to someone with the initials PM... It'll be a joyful ramble of folk song, music hall, stand up, and popular classics delivered in a talking blues style. Not to be missed.
Hello Ely Folk! Today we're reminding you that you can give us money without it costing you anything! Sign up to @easyfundraising.bsky.social and when you shop online with 8000 retailers we get a bit of cash. Check out the video if you're interested. Thanks very much.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=T9_X...
Hello Ely Folk! Many thanks to those of you who've applied to be stewards. We have a few vacancies so if you fancy joining our lovely team and getting a free ticket head over here and submit an application. elyfolkfestival.co.uk/get-involved/ We'd love to see you in July! Photo by Nigel Graver.
Hello Ely Folk! Thrilled that our Children’s Area will celebrate the theme: “Under One Sky”. Creative workshops, crafts, games, teen tent, storytelling, shows, magic and a children’s parade bursting with suns, stars, clouds, and rainbows! Details on website later. Photos: Sue Gwynne/Andrew Moore.
Hello Ely Folk, today's the day we announce the rest of our bill! We are delighted to welcome the wonderful Sherburn Bartley Sanders, Alistair Russell & Chris Parkinson, I, Claudia, Soloman Smith, Kelly and Woolley and Erin Brown & Barry Watson. Fabulous musicians, it's going to be a blast!
Hello Ely Folk, we're having a hop! The fab Stumpy Oak Ceilidh Band will be playing for your delight at Ely Bowls Club on Saturday 28 March. Under 12s free, free buffet and free parking, leaving you free to cut a rug! Tickets: www.tickettailor.com/events/elyfo... or scan the QR code. See you there!
Hello Ely Folk! A reminder that our band competition closes on 28 February. If you fancy a slot on our main stage check out our website and send us your stuff. You could be as happy as Fraser Morgan, one of last year's winners! elyfolkfestival.co.uk/workshops-co... Pic by @nikkigeast.bsky.social
Hello Ely Folk! Unfortunately Hedera are no longer able to join us. Hopefully they'll be with us at a future festival. However we're delighted to announce that the wonderful Georgia Shackleton has stepped into the breach. Her new album is out soon and we're looking forward to hearing songs from it.
Hello Ely Folk! Delighted that Daria Kulesh will be with us in July with The Tale of Sadko as part of our children's programme. An interactive music & storytelling workshop based on a delightful Russian fairytale, it's ideal for ages 3-8, but younger/older siblings are welcome. More on our website.
Hello Ely Folk! We like a bit of a bop here at Ely and we know you do too for we have our usual three ceilidhs for your delight with the wonderful trio of @frogceilidh.bsky.social with special guest caller Fee Lock, The Cyriacs and Stumpy Oak Ceilidh Band. Bring your dancing shoes!
Hello Ely Folk! We like a bit of a bop at Ely and we know you do too so we will have our usual three ceilidhs for your delight, with Stumpy Oak, @frogceilidh.bsky.social with special caller Fee Lock and The Cyriacs. Bring your dancing shoes!
Hello Ely Folk! Our family and children's programme is steadily taking shape and as part of it we're excited to welcome singer-songwriter and creator of CBeebies Popcast @nickcope.bsky.social for our family show. Children of all ages from 0 to 80 (and younger) will love it!
Hello Ely Folk! Ely has always been a big supporter of local artists and we are delighted to welcome festival stalwart Andy Wall, Brokedown Palace (featuring Nick Barraclough), Causeway, John and Pauline Pearce, Simon George Kelso, String Onion and from a bit further away the wonderful Medlars.
Hello Ely Folk! Today we're premiering our 2025 video. It gives a great flavour of the festival and you may even spot yourself! Hope you enjoy it. www.youtube.com/watch?v=ft9c...
Hello Ely Folk! We've got a new logo! And a new website! Many thanks for Studio Nova for their work with us on this. We think it much better reflects who we are and our relationship with Ely. And we love it! Check it out here elyfolkfestival.co.uk and let us know what you think in the comments.
Hello Ely Folk! It's time for the East Anglian Festival Network awards again and we'd really appreciate it it you voted for us, assuming you're so inclined. You can do so here: eafn.co.uk Voting is open until 8pm on January 31st. Thanks very much in advance.
Hello Ely Folk! We had a great time at Ely College's Community Directory Day on Saturday, Lots of interesting chats and new people to meet. If you couldn't make it but would like to know more about getting involved check out our website here: elyfolkfestival.co.uk/get-involved/
Hello Ely Folk, it's 2026 band competition time! Two slots available to play this year, one for bands, one for solo acts/duos. Details here: elyfolkfestival.co.uk/workshops-co... Good luck! Last year's winners Fraser Morgan, Nick Lawrence and Kelvin Davies & Chloe Turner by @nikkigeast.bsky.social
Hello Ely Folk! We're going to have a stand at the Ely College Community Directory Day this Saturday. If you're interested in finding out more about the festival or maybe helping out at this year's event or more generally do pop along and say hi. More info here: www.elycollege.com/news/?pid=3&...
Hello Ely Folk! Did you know that you can spread the cost of your festival ticket over three interest-free instalments? Just head over to our ticket page and follow the instructions for an affordable way to join us for our 40th. elyfolkfestival.co.uk/tickets/
Hello Ely Folk! Delighted that the high energy bluegrass of the legendary Coal Porters, Greenman Rising's rousing folk, the rip-roaring shanties of The Silver Darlings, the fine songs of Olivia Rose Music and Canyons' folk/americana will be available for your delectation in July. Don't miss out!
Hello Ely Folk, a very Happy New Year to you from all of us at Ely Towers! 2025 was a great year for the festival and we hope our 40th in 2026 will be even better and we have lots of exciting announcements to come! We look forward to seeing you, regulars or first-timers, on site in July. Onwards!
Hello Ely Folk! Delighted that festival favourite Gerry Colvin will be returning in 2026 as do the rambuctious Wilswood Buoys while The Milk Men will be bringing the rocking blues. Also @truefoxes.bsky.social with beautiful folk/americana while Lizzy Hardingham's amazing voice will entrance all.
Hello Ely Folk! Stewarding applications for 2026 are OPEN! Application form: elyfolkfestival.co.uk/get-involved/ We have a new email: effstewards@gmail.com. Don't use ely.stewards@gmail.com as it isn't monitored. Any problems please email or comment here. Can't wait to receive your applications!
Hello Ely Folk! Just to let you know that our Early Bird tickets are almost all gone. Thanks to everyone who's bought one, and if you haven't and want one, get in quick!
Hello Ely Folk! Delighted that the powerful @merryhellband.bsky.social, Steve Knightley and the Winter Yards and @samkellymusic.bsky.social with The Lost Boys will be joining the sublime Gigspanner Big Band and the fiery Grace Petrie at our 40th in 2026. Get tickets now at early bird prices!
Hello Ely Folk! We're working on some improvements to the festival site. Full details next year but we're moving the day parking nearer the arena, having a tent camper's car park near the tents, adding baby changing facilities and lowering the height of our IBC tanks. More to come as we have it!
Hello Ely Folk! We're delighted to announce that we're continuing our partnership with Make it Wild (www.makeitwild.co.uk) and they have planted the necessary trees in Norfolk to offset our 2025 carbon footprint. Below is our certificate and some information about where the trees are.
Hello Ely Folk! What with the clocks changing, grey skies and plenty of rain it's not the most festivally time of year. So today we thought we'd share some pictures of this years festival when the one thing we didn't lack was sunshine! Photos by Andrew Moore and @nikkigeast.bsky.social
