Billy Bragg to headline Warwick Folk Festival

The line-up features a number of familiar names and rising stars from around the world including Demon Barbers XL, Nancy Kerr & the Sweet Visitor Band and The Young Uns.

The four-day music and dance extravaganza will be held for its 36th year from Thursday July 23 to Sunday July 26 at Warwick School.

The organisers say the festival will cover a wide range of styles such as blues, rock, country and funk, offering something for all music lovers, as well as dedicated folk fans.

A packed programme of events includes a huge choice of concerts, ceilidhs and workshops. There will also be dance displays, pub music sessions, open-air concerts in Warwick town centre, a craft and music fair, and a food, real ale and cider festival.

Billy Bragg will perform on July 23 in the main marquee. For over 30 years he has walked in the footsteps of Woody Guthrie and Bob Dylan and has worked with famous artists including Paul Weller, Natalie Merchant and Kirsty MacColl.

His Mermaid Avenue albums with the American alternative country band Wilco received huge acclaim in the USA and he had a UK number one single in 1988 with The Beatles’ She’s Leaving Home.

Festival director Dick Dixon said: “We are delighted that Billy Bragg will be performing. Our festival continues to go from strength to strength and it looks certain that this year’s event will be a complete sell-out.

“It promises yet again to be a superb fun-filled four days of first-class entertainment to suit all tastes and ages.”

Demon Barbers XL will return to the stage on July 24 with a new repertoire, extra band members and a modern twist to their award-winning roadshow.

Nancy Kerr & the Sweet Visitor Band, voted BBC Radio 2 Folk Singer of the Year 2015, will perform on the Saturday, and The Young Uns, voted BBC Radio 2 Band of the Year 2015, will play on both Saturday and Sunday.

Visitors to the festival can buy tickets for Thursday to Sunday, Friday to Sunday, or just for the day. Under-10s go free. Tickets can be booked online at www.warwickfolkfestival.co.uk or over the phone by calling the Bridge House Theatre box office on 01926 776438.

Residents with a CV34 postcode can claim a 20 per cent discount but will need to show proof of their address when collecting their tickets. The code CV342015 should be quoted when booking online.