International artists from four continents will play starring roles at this summer’s Gate To Southwell Festival in July alongside some of the UK’s leading folk roots and acoustic music performers.

Senegal’s “Hendrix of the kora” Seckou Keita will be one of the headline acts with his African Homeland Band, and there’ll also be a strong European contingent including Madrid-based Track Dogs, Barcelona World music stars El Pony Pisador and returning Italian duo Veronica Sbergia & Max De Bernardi.  All the way from America comes the cajun/zydeco Texan sounds of Ruben Moreno and Broster & West, featuring GTSF favourite Mike West of Truckstop Honeymoon together with Canadian songwriter Nick Broster.  Top Aussie performers Hat Fitz & Cara return to GTSF, performing their rich mix of delta Blues, folk and traditional Celtic styles, and acclaimed Australian songstress Lucy Gallant will bring her colourful brand of folk pop.   

With long-established major music events such as Cambridge Folk Festival and WOMAD sadly taking a break in 2025, the 18th Gate To Southwell looks certain to provide a welcome, high-quality alternative for festival goers. 

Led by English folk hero Richard Thompson OBE – the famous Fairport Convention guitarist and celebrated singer-songwriter – UK stars will include Alabama 3, Katharine Priddy, Skinny Lister, Jon Boden & The Remnant Kings, The Magpies (featuring Bella Gafney, Holly Brandon and Ellie Gowers), The Rosie Hood Band, Sam Kelly & Jamie Francis, Banter, Sam Carter, up-and-coming five piece Evolution of Fishermen and the alt-folk of Common Culture from Barnsley. 

Adding to the international flavour, but hailing from North Yorkshire, there’s also the New York Brass Band. And for something completely different – featuring everything from Carolan to tango to Vivaldi – there’s Simon Mayor’s magnificent Mandolinquents.  (Irish Music Magazine described Mayor as “a demon on the mandolin, an angel on the fiddle”.) 

The 18th Gate To Southwell Festival runs from July 3rd to 6th 2025 at Kirklington Lakes near the famous Nottinghamshire market town (NG22 8NX).  It’s regarded as one of the UK’s best small music festivals, with more than 60 international folk roots and acoustic acts appearing over four days. 

It’s also one of the most family friendly events in the UK calendar.  In addition to high quality folk roots American and acoustic music, festival goers will enjoy excellent kids entertainment, folk dancing and ceilidhs,  a food and drink festival, craft stalls, poetry, comedy and community spirit in abundance.

Tickets are selling fast for this summer’s event. GTSF is a not-for-profit organization run by enthusiastic and experienced volunteers; any surplus income generated is ploughed into future events.  For tickets and much more information go to www.gtsf.uk