SATURDAY 23rd SEPTEMBER
A Saturday Gate Pass provides entrance to the Festival to enjoy the family activities, music and performances across the site from 10.00am until 9.00pm
Tickets can be purchased here:
PLEASE NOTE – There are a few separately ticked performances and workshops that are NOT included in your Gate Pass. These are:
Will Tell Family Theatre, The Great Barn, 2.15pm
Mark Chadwick, The Great Barn, 9.00pm
Please see the ‘Separately Ticketed Performances’ page on the website for full details and tickets for these performances
Discounts are available for Group Bookings. Children under 2 are free and don’t require any ticket.
What’s included in a Saturday Gate Pass
Live Music
Liam Vincent & The Odd Foxes
Tent By the Pond
8.15pm
With a line up full of established musicians from across the UK Folk-Rock scene, its no surprise that this dynamic and experienced live band are making friends wherever they go.
The bands songs are rich with vocal and instrumental interplay, and their new album Fabric of a flawed society launched on 5th May.
‘Any band who can create this many original songs each of which stimulates the mind, the heart & the feet is thoroughly deserving of success.’ – Hot Music Live review, March 2023
‘…a brilliant debut album, full of power, passion and something to say. This is definitely a band to keep an eye on.’ – Stuart Green, Folk Club Radio
The Foxes have headlined Banbury Folk Festival, rocked the New Forest Folk Festival and have supported retro favourites Scouting for Girls. We can’t wait to welcome them to the Barn.
The Lost Notes
Tent by the Pond
7.15pm
The Lost Notes are a 5-piece acoustic roots band based in the creatively fertile blaglands of Moseley, Birmingham UK. They have built up a loyal fan base across the folk and festival circuit through their lively full band performances and more intimate trio gigs.
Their debut album launched to critical alclaim as has their second follow up album ‘Lowlifes and High Times’
“Their debut announced them as rising stars, this puts them firmly in the brightest constellation.” Folking.com
“Fits in amongst peers like… Fleet Foxes, …Fairport Convention… Crosby Stills Nash and Young.” Rocking Magpie
They write songs for chin-strokers, foot-stompers, head-nodders and those who like to partake in the dark art of inarticulate dancing and hollering. It happens. All delivered in glorious 3 part harmonies
The Talismen
Hayloft Bar
6.45pm
The Talismen are a three piece specialising Irish Folk Music. Impossible to listen to without getting those feet tapping.
The Shapes
Tent by the Pond
6.00pm
The Shapes are a nine piece band from Oxford UK. They write and play a unique upbeat indie sound that has received wide acclaim in the media
They have been performing up and down the country in venues and festivals for the past 8 years. After several EP releases they have now brought out a full album entitled ‘Live in the Moment’
https://shapesoxford.bandcamp.com/
They sing of love, loss and sometimes try to provide a social commentary and play a unique upbeat indie sound that has received wide acclaim in the media.
‘Till They Put Me In The Ground – The best song the Pogues never wrote’ (Nightshift Magazine)
‘you wonder if perhaps The Shapes ran the world it would be a far better place.’ Nightshift Magazine January 2019
Paul McClure
Tent by the Pond
4.45pm
If you haven’t heard of Paul McClure, then its about time you remedy that. A UK Americana singer songwriter, full-time touring Troubadour, storyteller, road-warrior, raconteur and serial house concert performer from Rutland, England signed to Clubhouse Records.
“Remarkable songwriter… We should all work on helping make him the star he deserves to be.” – Mojo
“the warmth and confidence that Paul McClure brings to the stage means he’s always a compelling entertainer” Americana UK (2019)
Paul McClure’s songwriting style takes inspiration from the greatest of sources, from Townes Van Zandt to Loudon Wainwright III, Elvis Costello to Ryan Adams. A wonderful lyrical balance of wit, pathos, compassion and strength combines with an ear for timeless melody to prove the songs more than strong enough to carry the weight.
With acclaimed performances at many UK festivals including Glastonbury, Ramblin’ Roots, Y-Not, Truck and Cambridge Folk Festival and now The Great Barn Festival!
Space Pig
Tent by the Pond
3.45pm
Space Pigs have returned from the future to play classic rock from the past bringing you Santana, Eric Clapton, Eagles, The Rolling Stones, Bowie and more)
Eddie Cooke
3.15pm
Hayloft Bar
Eddie is a self taught guitarist with a poetry back ground. His unique style of playing and writing, combined with his passionate and powerful vocal, has given him a unique quality many artist long for.
Malcolm MacWatt
Tent by the Pond
2.45pm
Scottish songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Malcolm MacWatt is a unique voice in British Folk/Americana. Hailing from Morayshire with the Highlands and North Sea as a constant backdrop, Malcolm was raised listening to the folklore and music of Scotland.
A multi-instrumentalist, MacWatt has been releasing music since late 2018 with four albums and three EPs to date.
He has a lifelong love of American music and culture reflected in his music which is steeped in Scottish folk tales and traditional music.
“Masterful songwriting…perceptively written, superbly played and poetically produced” Americana UK
His next album ‘Dark Harvest’ will be released in the autumn of 2023.
The Vale Islanders
Festival Grounds
2.15pm
The Vale Islanders is a group of dancers and musicians who perform Playford English country dances of the Seventeenth Century in the costume of the period.
Our name reflects our roots in the island villages of the Vale of White Horse and our dancing aims to reflect the dances of the ordinary people of the Vale 350 years ago.
All our dances are taken from “The English Dancing Master” first published by John Playford in 1651.
Tu-Kay & Ryan
Tent by the Pond
1.45pm
Tu-kay & Ryan are an award winning acoustic duo blurring the lines between alt-folk, Americana and roots music.
They have become known for their lush harmonies and heartfelt lyrics.
Armaleggen
Festival Grounds
1.15pm
Armaleggan is a Border Morris side with added Grrr…
“Apocalyptic Border Morris”
A contemporary Border Morris side made up of mixed genders, mixed ages and a mixture of tradition and innovation.
We practice at Cumnor Village Hall just outside Oxford, and dance all over Oxfordshire, the Cotswolds and beyond.
Why Armaleggan? – the concept was to attempt to create a side in which younger people would be prepared to participate in and give their energy to The Morris, it had to be “explosive” to compete with other more modern pastimes yet still respecting historic folk traditions.
A firm Festival favourite.
River Mouse
Tent by the Pond
12.45pm
River Mouse are a folk quartet playing tunes and original songs inspired by life on the water
Beautiful melodic traditional English Folk music and song from this musical trio
Jali Fily Cissokho
Tent by the Pond
11.45am
Senegalese master musician Jali Fily Cissokho brings along his 21 string West African kora/harp to the Festival. He comes from a family of musicians, the skills and traditions passed down from generation to generation yet still brings modern influences into his music. If you didn’t know what a Kora was before, now you do!
David Gibb
Tent by the Pond
10.15am
David Gibb is on a one-man mission to make brilliant, engaging and high quality music for families. Guaranteed to have both parents and children singing along in no time, this is music that the whole family can enjoy together.
“prepare to be carried away with the music… packed full of catchy, toe tapping numbers” The Guardian
David Gibb is a musician, theatre maker and author who has spent the last 10 years working with children and families. In 2011 he received the highly commended prize at the Young Story Teller of the Year Awards and in the same year was nominated for a BBC Radio 2 Folk Award. Since then he has gone onto to release four albums for families, written music and songs for numerous theatre projects and had his music played on radio stations all over the world.
Family Activities
Dan the Hat – Comedian & Juggler
Kids Tent
Various times throughout the day
Dan has been performing for the last 20 years, all over the World. He has worked at Festivals , on Stages and on the Streets in front of thousands of people. He even managed to find time to be voted “Festival Family Entertainer of the year” 2022 – Festival Kidz
His quick wit and on the button ‘improv’ silliness is a sure fire hit with any audience! Let Dan the Hat take you on a frenzied journey of skills and comedy. Audience interaction throughout, (whether they like it or not!) A mixture of Serious Skills, Stupid Stunts and Frenzied ‘Off the Wall’ improv comedy.
Mark Fraser – The Storyteller
Story Tent
Various times throughout the day
Come to the beautiful Story Tent and hear original tales, traditional fairy stories or shaggy dog stories to make you groan. By day Mark will tell interactive and inclusive stories with puppets, performance and a little bit of leaping about.
By night hear the weird, the odd and the slightly chilling with Jacob Cracker (Decd) the man with the tombstone for tales in the dark. Mark is a professional storyteller, artist and writer travelling all over the world sharing stories with all ages.
Circus Skills Workshops
Kids Tent
Various times throughout the day
Drop in to a circus workshop lead by Dan the Hat. Learn how to juggle, spin a plate, manipulate a hat or spin a diabolo. Whether you are 5 or 105, come and master the art of the 3 ball cascade, throw and catch a diabolo or perform some fancy flourishes with a derby hat. Fun for all the family.
The Company of Travelling Wonders – A family theatre show
Kids Tent
Come join The Company! A fusion of theatre, juggling, storytelling and silliness. Be a part of the show as Dan the Hat and Mark Fraser – The Storyteller, share the story of the two trickster jugglers.
Immerse yourself in the tale, play a character or volunteer to assist with the juggling, you will receive instant membership into The Company of Travelling Wonders, street artists like never before!
Professor Slug’s House of Bugs
Kids Tent
11.30am
Professor Slug’s House of Bugs is a show all about bugs. Professor Slug is an eccentric expert on invertebrates who helps bugs out with their buggy problems – and you can too!
Get as strong as an ant! Teach a bee how to buzz! And help a dung beetle make a pooey perfume for its big date…
This interactive show is packed full of colourful puppets, catchy songs, and educational info about the wonderful world of bugs. The puppets are designed by Georgia Hill (CBeebies) with music written by Catriona Gisby (Elle & the Pocket Belles).
The show is also partnered with wildlife conservation charity Buglife.
https://www.instagram.com/professorslugsbugs/
David Gibb Song writing workshop
Kids Tent
12.00pm
A chance for children to embark on a magical musical adventure to remember with a workshop from award winning song writer and performer David Gibb!
Create your very own song, exploring lyrics, melody, rhythm and more. At the end of the session, perform the song and wow your family and friends.
A fantastic way to introduce children to the concept of creating their own music, as well as developing confidence in creative writing through songs.
Classic Storytelling from Rattlebox Theatre
Medieval Storytelling Tent
Various times throughout the day
Storytelling at its finest.
“Dave Oliver as hilarious and totally compelling as ever, as his stories drew one in to his crazy, topsy – turvy folktale – but – not – as – it – seems world with his splendid range of accents and utter charm”
Shane Wolfland- Exeter Respect festival
Silent Disco
Kids Tent
Various times throughout the day
Need we say more, what’s not to love about a silent disco.
The disco will be running across the weekend from the Children’s Tent.
Pond Dipping
Festival Grounds
Various times throughout the day
Join the National Trust for a spot of pond dipping as you investigate the wildlife in the Great Barn pond
All nets and equipment will be provided
Childrens Tent
There will be plenty of activities running throughout the day from the Children’s Tent with Arts & Craft for all ages.
Tours of the Great Barn
The Great Barn
Various times throughout the day
Led by The National Trust, come and learn the fascinating history of this magnificent building
Tiny Wildings
Kids Tent
Various times throughout the day
Tiny Wildlings is an outdoor playgroup which adopts a forest school ethos, encouraging pre-school aged children to learn through child-led play. Come and join in the fun next to the Childrens Tent
Our wildlings can cook up a storm in the mud kitchen, hunt for bugs in the grounds, get wet and messy with some water play or create some beautiful crafts to take home.
Great Barn Festival 