Performers
Anna Anise
Cornwall
Anna Anise is a Cornish singer-songwriter and folk musician whose music captures the spirit of her homeland using the Cornish Language, Kernewek. From stories of folklore to fresh perspectives on our modern times, Anna’s songs are a celebration of authenticity, with an energy that is uplifting and sincere. Whether she’s crafting tender ballads or rousing anthems that stir joy and introspection, she blends traditional folk elements with a contemporary twist, creating a sound that feels timeless.
On this very special pre-festival album launch night, Anna will be joined on stage by a host of Cornwall’s most accomplished artists who have contributed to the album’s journey, from development and recording to live performance. Guests include Ben Sutcliffe (People’s String Foundation), Lizzie Pridmore (Salt & Sky) Jon Fazal, Elizabeth Freeborn, Lukas Drinkwater and many more.
“Truly great modern folk music” – Neil King, FATEA
“…rhythmic lamentful optimism” – Lee Morgan, The PRSD
“Lovely DIY folk sound … just brilliant” – Adam Crowther, BBC Radio
Dalla Duo
Cornwall
Hilary Coleman and Neil Davey are both well known as co-founders of the renowned Cornish band Dalla and have done much to revive and celebrate the Celtic music of Cornwall, both being made bards of the Cornish Gorseth for their services to Cornish music. As Dalla they have toured nationally and internationally and have released five albums.Dalla Duo offer a celebration of the very best of Cornish traditional music in all its varied glory, from wild and mesmerising dance tunes to beautifully haunting slower pieces. This includes instrumentals on bouzouki and clarinet, as well as songs in Cornish and in English.The Duo are also the leading lights of the nos lowen style of Cornish Celtic dance music. Nos lowen is a style of Cornish social dancing, with a strong sense of place here in Cornwall, including very ancient traditional Cornish elements, but also much that comes from the vibrant living tradition that has exploded here in recent times. Because of its simplicity and informality you can just jump up and follow the leaders, learning as you go along. Alternatively, if you can resist dancing, the music is brilliant just to listen to anyway!
“Inventive and enchanting, their music celebrates Cornish culture in an upbeat and infectious voice” – The Guardian
Duo Landat Moisson
Brittany
Thomas Moisson is indisputably one of the most talented accordeonists of his generation. His encounter with the distinctive voice and legendary charisma of Lors Landat has given rise to a unique duo on the avant garde of Breton music.
Having given over 400 concerts in the last 15 years both in France (Interceltic festival of Lorient, Bogue d’Or in Redon, Yaouank in Rennes, …) and abroad (USA, Canada, Spain, Romania, UK, Isle of Man), the pair have without a doubt become one of the most accomplished duos in contemporary Breton music.
Hilary Coleman &
Sally Burley
Cornwall
‘A wave of sound hit me; voices harmonising and full of passion. It was good to just stand by and listen to the power of those united voices from across the land. Then I too joined in and we rolled from one song to the next.’
Over ten years ago Hilary Coleman and Sally Burley undertook a journey across the length and breadth of Cornwall, visiting pubs where they knew the tradition of Cornish harmony singing was taking place. They recorded their findings which resulted in a book and audio tracks called Shout Kernow. Now this book has been re-launched along with a digital map of their travels which includes their diary and the entire recordings of the various evenings across Cornwall from the banks of the Tamar to the Isles of Scilly!
Come and hear the tales of their adventures wonderfully illustrated with some of the songs sung by the Red River Singers
Kate Smith – Ceilidh Cornwall
Scotland
Kate is an enthusiastic ceilidh dancer who enjoys encouraging others to dance, and the main person behind Ceilidh Cornwall. Kate grew up in northeast Scotland and learned to dance as a child in the kitchen at home, at school and weddings.
Kate is also a geoscientist which took her to Iceland in 2005 where I started teaching ceilidh so that I’d have people to ceilidh dance with, and from there The Reel Thing Ceilidh Band and the Ceilidh in Reykjavik project were born – ceilidh classes, corporate events, weddings, parties and ceilidhs in concert halls, nightclubs and in city centre squares.
Now based in Cornwall, Kate regularly calls and plays whistle/flute with several local ceilidh bands, most frequently with The Brim Ceilidh Band as their main caller. Kate has also worked with The Rosevilles Ceilidh Band, The Freedom Fields Ceilidh Band, Celtic Ceilidh Collective and the Hilltop Ceilidh Band.
Kernow Pipes & Drums
Cornwall
Kernow Pipes and Drums is currently the only Pipe and Drum Band in Cornwall. Lt. Col. Sir Edward Bolitho K.V.C.O., Lord Lieutenant of Cornwall is their patron.
Since their formation they have performed at numerous functions at home and abroad, including civic and military parades as well as carnivals, festivals and charity events.
Kevin & Carol Monaghan
Ireland
“SetsMad Dancing” is the creation of Kevin and Carol Monaghan. It began life as an event to showcase the less-often danced sets of Ireland. From the germ of an idea inspired by a similar weekend in Manchester, UK, an entire weekend of dancing in a beautiful rural setting has grown. It has continued to grow for many years, attracting dancers from far and wide to dance together to live bands in an atmosphere of joy and friendship.
Kevin and Carol met over 25 years ago in a set dancing class run by Joe O’Hara, a most particular and careful teacher, and they have been dancing together ever since. They are hugely grateful to Joe for being so keen to keep the regional styles of dance, and not homogenise the form, and they strive to be “in the right place, at the right time, and by the correct route” as Joe taught them.
Mari Mathias
Wales
Singing in one of Europe’s oldest living languages, native Celt , Mari Mathias conjures up bold & compelling contemporary folk songs, seemingly sculpted from the celestial yet inspired by land, memory and myth. Answering to a higher calling, she preserves her rich cultural inheritance through transforming traditional melodies, collected from the wilds of west coast of Cymru , into immersive, multi-dimensional modern anthems that feel both ancient and strikingly new. Shaped by nature, ritual and a deep sense of place, Mari’s music is mystical yet rooted, intimate yet electrifying.
Following the release of her 2022 debut album Annwn, Mari and her band appeared on major UK and European festival stages including Cambridge Folk Festival, Festival Interceltique de Lorient, Green Man Festival ,Glastonbury, The Great Escape, Between the Trees, Summer Camp, Wanderfal & many more.
After much enthusiasm and anticipation for brand new music, Mari Mathias returns with her second album this April of 2026 , ‘Cyfarwydd’, meaning ‘familiar’ in modern-cymraeg o’r the ‘storyteller / the spell’ a term originated from medieval cymru and medieval Mabinogi texts. The new album will carry your spirit away along heather rooted coastlines of the wild saltwater edges, or high among the mystic mountains & magic of the Preseli bluestone. This new album invites listeners to journey into a deeply atmospheric landscape, where the ancient ingenious language of Cymru, land and story merge and unfurl. Mari Mathias offers audiences a rare experience: music that feels timeless, elemental, and profoundly alive.
Michael McGoldrick & Tim Edey
Michael McGoldrick and Tim Edey are celebrated musicians in the realm of Celtic folk music, renowned for their exceptional skills and innovative approaches.
Former BBC Folk Awards Musician of the Year Michael McGoldrick is a gifted multi-instrumentalist and composer. Born in Manchester to Irish parents, he is a master of the wooden flute, low whistles and uilleann pipes, making him a go-to contributor for many artists. Mike has collaborated with Mark Knopfler since 2009 and been a core member of the Transatlantic Sessions since 2007.
Steeped in Irish traditional music, he has, from his ground-breaking 2000 solo album ’Fused’ onwards, assimilated a wide range of musical styles into his work including jazz, funk, African and Indian rhythms.
Mike has made an immense contribution to the Irish and UK folk scenes through his many solo and collaborative projects including being a founder member of the supergroup Lúnasa and later through his work with Capercaillie. Recently nominated as Best Folk Instrumentalist at the 2024 RTÉ Radio 1 Folk Awards, Mike’s reputation as one of the leading musicians of his generation is undeniable.
Tim Edey is a guitarist & melodeon player, a BBC musician of the year & BBC Scotland best traditional musician winner. Having spent years touring with acts like The Chieftains, Seamus Begley, Brendan Power, Natalie MacMaster to name a few, Tim is now an accomplished solo artist and joins Mike, a huge musical influence, having first methim at Rochester Sweeps Festival in 1996.
The duo is a special meeting of old friends bringing together virtuosity and sheer musical magic.
Mike O’Connor & Barbara Griggs
Cornwall
Lost Voices of the Moor with Mike O’Connor & Barbara Griggs
Bodmin Moor, an ancient, wild, and beautiful landscape, was once home to over 36 flourishing communities. They farmed, streamed for tin, and dug for china clay. From pre-history to the 19th century they lived, loved, and laughed. Where now there is open moorland they sang songs, told stories, played tunes.
In ‘The Lost Voices of the Moor’ Mike O’Connor and Barbara Griggs take us to this lost world, with a programme of little-known songs, stories, and instrumental music.
A Thousand Years of Cornish Music with Mike O’Connor
Mike O’Connor has spent 50 years researching Cornish music. In this talk he takes us on a whistle-stop tour of Cornish musical history, from the world of medieval minstrels and bards, to the songs and carols of miners and farmers of the 20th century. This lively show has many audio and visual examples from early manuscripts and little-known collections.
Neear Nesañ
Brittany & Isle of Man
Neear Nesañ is the gathering of two musicians from Brittany, Lors Landat and Thomas Moisson, with two of the Isle of Man’s most talented representatives, keyboard and violinist David Kilgallon and bouzouki player Adam Rhodes.
Red River Singers
Cornwall
The Red River Singers are based in the mining heartland of Cornwall and are an enthusiastic folk choir whose aim is to keep the spirit of Cornwall alive in song. Since their formation in 2012, they’ve become well known locally, through their passion for Cornish song and regularly sing at the Countryman Inn at Piece.
Song words will be available if you would like to join in and copies of the book Shout Kernow will be available to buy at the event.
“Wonderful talk and songs. Informative, moving and inclusive.” Penzance Lit Fest
Scran
Isle of Man
Scran is a dynamic young band from the Isle of Man. Ranging in age from 13 to 17, its talented members play, sing and dance.
As part of the Culture Vannin’s Bree traditional music youth education movement, Scran reflects the flourishing Manx traditional music scene. The band is mentored by well-known fiddle and keyboard player David Kilgallon (Mec Lir).
Founded in 2014, Scran, which is Manx for common people, has produced two albums of Manx music – Nane and Jees.
Scran recently thrilled audiences at the Music for Youth Proms at the Royal Albert Hall, following an extraordinary appearance at the Festival Interceltique de Lorient, one of the world’s largest traditional music festivals. There, they made history as the youngest Manx band ever to reach the finals of the prestigious Trophée Loïc Raison competition.
Skeddan Jiarg
Isle of Man
Skeddan Jiarg are an intergenerational Manx dance group led by Grainne Joughin.
The dancers range from toddlers to adults and they meet on Sunday afternoons in Peel.
The inspirational group have performed at various festivals and community events including Festival Interceltique de Lorient (Brittany), Cwlwm Celtaidd (Wales), Lowender Peran (Cornwall) and on the Isle of Man – Yn Chruinnaght Celtic Gathering, Shennaghys Jiu, Celtic Congress conference, Peel Carnival and Cyclefest (Isle of Man).
We look forward to welcoming the Skeddan Jiang teenagers to Lowender Celtic Festival.
Splann
Cornwall
Splann is one of Cornwall’s most popular ceilidh and barn dance bands, famous for playing an energetic mix of Scottish, Irish, and traditional Cornish tunes.
Named after the Cornish word for “shining” or “splendid” the band are guaranteed to have you up and dancing.
Ellie, Splann’s caller will lead you through the steps with a healthy dose of humour, catering for both seasoned dancers and complete beginners.
Taylor Strickland
Scotland
Taylor Strickland is an award-winning poet and translator whose most recent book is Dwell Time. His collection Dastram/Delirium was 2023 Scottish Poetry Book of the Year and PBS-recommended.
Alasdair mac Mhaighstir Alasdair (c1698–c1770) was a Scottish Gaelic poet, lexicographer, military officer, and Gaelic language tutor to Charles Edward Stuart, popularly known as “Bonnie Prince Charlie.”
Alasdair mac Mhaighstir Alasdair’s poetry can be found in one volume, self-published in 1751, and was the first nonreligious work to be published in any of the Celtic languages. Dares Paradise presents two long poems by mac Mhaighstir Alasdair, newly translated by Taylor Strickland. In his translation, Strickland takes a subversive approach, writing in a transatlantic English idiom with Scots and Gaelic inflections. This is mac Mhaighstir Alasdair for the twenty-first century Anglophone reader.
The poems offer a rare pre- and post-1745 Jacobite Uprising perspective on a world, and a language, at risk of disappearing. The first, “Allt an t-Siùcair,” is a lyrical celebration of place, a vivid evocation of the landscape of the peninsula at Britain’s westernmost edge. The second, “Birlinn Chlann Raghnaill,” considered mac Mhaighstir Alasdair’s masterpiece, conjures instead a placelessness, recounting an epic sea journey from the Hebridean island of South Uist to Ireland that can be read as an allegory for persistence.
The Twin Tides
Cornwall/Wales
The Twin Tides are Cornwall’s Tommie Black-Roff and Wales’ Christine Cooper. Together, Christine and Tommie weave a tapestry of mesmerizing melodies, promising an unforgettable musical journey.
Christine imparts her music with a sense of adventure, drawing from Welsh, American and Scandinavian fiddle traditions. Twice winner of the Welsh Celtic Fiddle Competition, she has a background in both dance music and storytelling and is known from bands such as Fernhill.
Tommie, a Cornish accordionist, creates music that spans European folk traditions, working between the UK and the Nordic Countries in folk, theatre and dance. His other projects include TEYR, Ville & Tommie and Värivarjo.
Together, Christine and Tommie weave a tapestry of mesmerizing melodies, promising an unforgettable musical journey.
Tir ha Tavas
Cornwall
Formed in February 2013, Tir ha Tavas, which means “land and language” in the Cornish language Kernewek, is Delia Brotherton, Myrghwyn Melynor and Dave Brotherton, Ilewydh Porthia, bards of Gorsedh Kernow, musicians and singer-songwriters based in St Ives, West Cornwall.
Tir ha Tavas’ new show is “Cornwall – a Sense of Place” with several new original songs in Kernewek and English, plus readings with guest reader and fellow bard, Helen Musser.
Granite stones and monuments, rugged cliffs, windswept hills and moors, medieval fields and farms, summer visitors, all filling our minds with a deep sense of our beloved land of Kernow. A longing for times past and sincere hopes for the future play out in our lives while time ticks on.
“Cornwall – a Sense of Place” will take you on a journey in music, words and images around this beautiful world at the end of the land.”
From an audience member: “It was a pleasure to see this new show. What joy it brought to not only us, but the entire audience. It felt transportational, flowing over the parts of this land that the songs inspired.”
Toby & Jen Kessell
Cornwall
Toby & Jen Kessell are a fresh new duo bringing together two of Cornwall’s finest traditional musicians, Jen Kessell and Toby Kessell.
Playing a beautiful mix of Celtic music on viola, melodeons, guitar and vocals, you can expect to hear a celebration of the best tunes from Cornwall to Ireland and beyond.
Toby and Jen have been playing for dance nights, concerts, festivals and events all over Cornwall, as well as providing the music for popular theatre company, Miracle Theatre. They’ve also been gigging on tour with 3 Daft Monkeys and Skillywidden – friends and excellent musicians! Find them in 2026 at festivals both local and international, venues up and down the UK, and at a session or two along the way!
Woodkern
Cornwall & Beyond!
Woodkern is a highly popular, youth-led contemporary folk band based across Cornwall and Devon. They perform a fresh, vibrant blend of traditional Cornish, Irish, and English folk music alongside original material, using a lineup of fiddles, accordions, bagpipes, bouzoukis, and powerful vocals.
The seven-piece ensemble consists of talented young musicians—Lily Lakeman, Olly Kessell, Eva Reid, Karenza Lily-May, Max Morrison, Harry Kessell, and Ruby Gillson. Taking their name from the historical Irish and Celtic “woodkerns” (who acted as guardians of the land), they are deeply passionate about preserving Cornish musical heritage while giving it a modern, energetic twist.
