The Official Broadstairs Folk Week ®

04/06/2026

Martin Barre was Jethro Tull’s guitarist for over 43 years, and his sound was a major force behind their success, with album sales topping 60 million and songs still played worldwide as pillars of classic rock history.

His solo on Aqualung was voted among the greatest of all time in both the USA and UK, and his playing on Crest of a Knave won a Grammy Award for Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance in 1989.

Martin has recorded and performed with artists including Paul McCartney, Phil Collins, Gary Moore, Joe Bonamassa and Chris Thompson, and has shared the stage with legends such as Jimi Hendrix, Fleetwood Mac, Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin.

Opening the night is Brooke Law, a rising artist who’s played Isle of Wight, C2C and Black Deer festivals, plus headline shows at Bush Hall and Omeara. Her blend of country, rock and pop, and her gritty, emotionally charged vocals, have seen her tipped as “one to watch” by BBC Introducing.

This gig is separate from your Folk Week wristband as our pre festival show. This will sell out so get your tickets now. Link in bio.

03/06/2026

Hidden in the crowds and cliff‑top gardens, the Hooden Horses gallop through Broadstairs Folk Week – the mischievous spirit animals of a seaside town turned living stage. What are your favourite things about them?

Broadstairs Folk Week: 7 - 14 Aug 2026. Less than 100 week long wristbands left. Link to yours in story.

03/06/2026

One word of caution: keep an eye out for the Hooden Horses” might be our favourite quote – they’re still as brilliant as ever.

For 61 years now, Broadstairs has turned itself into a living stage: Morris on the corners, songs on the beach, and that feeling that the whole town is in on it.

This clip is from Folk Week 2011 – and somehow it still looks like home. Same streets, same bells, same sea breeze… just a few more grey hairs for some, and new generations joining in to make even more memories.

Have you got your wristband for this year yet? They will sell out with less than 100 left. So don’t leave it too long – there are only 11 weeks to go. Link in stories.

Coverage of Broadstairs Folk Week by BBC South East Today on this d...

02/06/2026

What will you discover at Broadstairs Folk Week?
A new night built around the songs of Nanci Griffith, with The Hayes Sisters and Clive Gregson – a collaboration sparked by their shared love of her remarkable catalogue.

Iconic guitarist, mandolin player and song-writer in his own right, Clive Gregson toured as part of the Nanci Griffith’s Blue Moon Orchestra from 1996-2007. Nanci’s version of Clive’s “I Love This Town” was released as a single in 2006 and became a radio hit in both America and the UK. Clive’s musical bio includes the cult band Any Trouble, a spell with Richard Thompson’s band and as half of the acclaimed duo Gregson and Collister.

Joined by the Stockport based sisters, Angela and Cathryn Hayeshave their own distinct style with sounds suggestive of The Roches and the McGarrigles. They have been long-time Nanci Griffith fans and their vocal interpretations of her songs are spot-on.

“Oh my goodness, that was such a lovely evening. The whole thing really worked. Everybody’s voices and instruments went so well together. Just lovely. Thank you very much.”

“Must say I left blubbering. That is a perfect song to finish on. And too poignant.”

“Just wanted to say you guys were brilliant last night. There was such an honest ‘gentle touch’ about the whole performance that really held everyone’s attention.”

Clive got to know the Hayes Sisters whilst producing their debut album “Another Man’s Shoes”. A mutual admiration for Nanci’s great catalogue of songs sparked the idea of this collaboration and the trio are planning to take their personal take on these classics on the road in 2026.

At Broadstairs Folk Week you are also treated to a rare performance by Will Allen’s Sun in the Sands Trio 2026 eponymous debut album featuring Owen Spafford and Ben Filmer-Sankey.

31/05/2026

It takes around 250 volunteers to make Folk Week happen, and we’ve already got about 160 signed up.
We still need drivers (“roadies,” as Ian calls them), stewards for the art & craft fair, and all sorts of helping hands across the week.
Say yes.
Experience Broadstairs Folk Week from the inside.
Just don’t expect it to be a one‑off.
Link to volunteer in stories.

31/05/2026

There’s a photo somewhere of Bridget St John on a bill with David Bowie, Nick Drake and Paul Simon. Most of those names became legend.

In the early 70s she was voted the fifth most popular female singer in Melody Maker, had three albums on John Peel’s Dandelion label, and was sharing stages with the people who went on to define an era.

Then she moved to New York and, for twenty years, disappeared from view. The records went out of print. The songs didn’t. They travelled instead: passed between musicians, obsessives, people who pressed play for friends and said, “You need to hear this.”

Since the 90s she’s been walking back into the light – a comeback album, Nick Drake tributes, tours with Colleen, guest spots with the Electric Strawbs, a voice turning up in the credits on Mike Oldfield and Kevin Ayers records.

Seeing her now isn’t about ticking off a name. It’s about being in the room with someone whose writing has been ghosting through other people’s work for fifty years, and realising the source is smaller, stranger and more human than the myth.

If you care about songs, this is the one to book at Broadstairs Folk Week before you do anything else.

Wed 12 Aug 2026
Ticket link in comments and stoires.

Bridget St. John

29/05/2026

Martin Barre - the Grammy‑winning guitarist who defined the sound of Jethro Tull. For over four decades, his playing shaped a band that blurred the lines between folk, rock and prog - from the riff of Aqualung to those intricate acoustic signatures.

Before all that, he was training as an architect — a young Brummie musician playing sax and flute, sketching by day and playing music at night. He answered a small ad, turned up with shaky gear… and almost didn’t get the gig.
That band was Jethro Tull.

This summer, he brings that same spirit to Broadstairs - re‑imagined classics, new material, and a lifetime of music still pushing forward.

Link in stories. This will sell out soon.

26/05/2026

Ian K Brown – Ukulele for Beginners & Families. We can’t wait to have him back for Broadstairs Folk Week!

From the first tune of the day to the last song at night, a week-long ticket means you don’t have to miss a thing. Perfect if you want to properly sink into Folk Week. Week-long tickets are limited, they sold out last year and are on track to do the same this year – so don’t leave it too late to book yours.

🎟️ Book your week-long ticket - link in comments below and stories.

22/08/2025

What you doing for the Bank Holiday weekend?