NEW: Join the Saltash Shanty Singers
Friday 17 May, 7.30-9pm:
St Nicholas & St Faith Church
Fridays 24 May, 7 & 14 June, 7.30-9pm: Isambard House (Saltash Station)
Workshop & sharing session:
Friday 21 June, 5.30-7pm:
St Nicholas & St Faith Church
Join in with fun workshops for everyone who likes to sing and wants to learn some sea shanties and folk music.
Pop in for one workshop or join us for all five, including taking part in a final sharing session at Saltash Songs & Shanties Festival on 21 June. No prior music experience is required.
Workshops will be led by local singer-songwriter and singing teacher Sian Jamison, who performs and accompanies choral music and has a particular interest in early and folk music. Her experience ranges from singing with the BBC Welsh Chorus to
performing at Folk on the Moor and Millbrook Folk Club.
Supported by The Scops Arts Trust.
Saturday 15 June
Workshop: Saturday Scratch Band
Calling all solo bangers and twangers – do you play drums, guitar, bass or sing and would like to start making music with others? This workshop is for people who have started to master their instrument and would like to join a band. Livewire tutors will coach participants in playing songs together, ending the day performing on the Livewire stage.
For ages 14-25. Ages 26+ may attend if accompanying a participant under 16.
Participants must have basic playing ability. Instruments can be provided.
Supported by The Scops Arts Trust.
Haunt the Woods
Supported by The Other Woman & Saturday Scratch Band.
Haunt the Woods skilfully interweave folk and alt rock, playing with a maturity far beyond their youth. These Livewire prodigies are signed to Spinefarm / Universal Music and have a rare ability to create a timeless sound inspired by literature and landscape.
The Other Woman return after stealing the show at their 2023 Festival performance. Saturday Scratch Band kick off the night. Featuring local musicians playing together for the first time – come and hear what they have achieved in a day of workshops.
Saturday 15 June
6.30-10pm
Livewire
Tickets £3-£5
For ages 14+.
Tuesday 18 June
Music Man
Sing-along and jump about to songs for children and their big people, with David – Saltash Library’s legendary Music Man!
Tuesday 18 June
10.30-11.30am
Saltash Library
FREE – no booking required.
Louise Parker Jazz Trio
Vocalist Louise Parker, aptly named after Louis Armstrong, was born to create the sort of soulful sound that is earning her a great reputation in the jazz world.
Tuesday 18 June
9-11pm
The Union Inn
Booking not required.
Over 18s only.
Wednesday 19 June
Music by the River
Join local music groups for an afternoon celebrating music-making in Saltash. Enjoy refreshments on the riverside terrace while listening to music from 1950’s to present day.
1.30-2pm: Saltash U3A Ukulele Group
2.15-2.45pm: Saltash Memory Box choir
3-3.30pm: Saltash U3A Strummers & Warblers
Wednesday 19 June
1.30-3.30pm
Ashtorre Rock
FREE – no booking required.
Thursday 20 June
Wurlitza: One Week &
A Cottage on Dartmoor
Hailing from St German’s, the utterly unique Wurlitza perform live soundtracks to classic silent films. The group has performed across the UK from Blackpool to Glastonbury Festival.
In One Week Buster Keaton and Sybil Seely star as a couple who attempt to build a house, with less than perfect results. A Cottage on Dartmoor is a snapshot on the rise of early talking films, cleverly woven into a plot that involves an escaped convict, a love triangle and, naturally, hairdressing.
Thursday 20 June
7.30-9.30pm
Saltash Wesley Methodist Church
Tickets £3-£10
Friday 21 June
Tango Sonoro:
Tea & Cake Concert
Tango Sonoro are a local band specialising in Argentine Tango and Latin Music. Their winning combination of violin, piano, double bass/vocals and clarinet has captivated audiences since 2010. Come and dance, or sit and listen, to La Cumparsita, Libertango, Besame Mucho, Girl from Ipanema and many more.
Supported by Saltash CEPL12 Community Kitchen.
Friday 21 June
1.45-3.15pm
Saltash Social Club
Tickets £4-£8.
Ticket price includes tea/coffee and cake.
Double bill evening:
Saltash Shanty Singers
Cornwall’s newest shanty singing group shares the music that they have been working on for the last 5 weeks, led by Sian Jamison.
Supported by The Scops Arts Trust.
Friday 21 June
6.30-7pm
Church of St Nicholas & St Faith
FREE – no booking required.
&
Martha Tilston Trio
With a pure silken voice and lyrics that inspire and captivate, Cornish musician Martha Tilston has built a large and loyal worldwide following. She has played on some of the world’s most prestigious stages and festivals, released several critically acclaimed albums and gained a nomination for BBC best newcomer. This intimate concert in the beautiful and ancient church of St Nicholas & St Faith also features long-time collaborators and musicians Matt Tweed (Bass, Bouzouki )and Matt Kelly (Violin / Viola, Electric guitar, Percussion, Tambaflop*).
“She captures both the harshness and enchantment of life, with the salt of sea air almost palpable.” The Guardian
(* Tambaflop = tambourine + flipflop + gaffertape)
Friday 21 June
7.30-9.30pm
Church of St Nicholas & St Faith
Tickets £4-£15
Saturday 22 June
Workshops:
Samba Drums for Beginners
Experience all the fun of playing in a loud and energetic Samba Band. Local music teacher Judy Whitlock will teach you simple rhythms on a wide range of Brazilian samba drums, to create a thrilling and authentic samba sound. For ages 10+.
Supported by Callington Community Arts & The Scops Arts Trust.
Saturday 22 June
10-10:30am, 10:45-11:15am & 11:30-12noon
Victoria Gardens
Tickets from £1. U18s FREE – booking required.
Tipil: Music at Mary Newman’s
Family folk band Tipil perform traditional and contemporary tunes from Cornwall and the West Country. Explore the cottage or relax in the garden with tea and cake while enjoying the music.
(N.B Payments for refreshments are cash only.)
Saltash Town Band
The award-winning Saltash Town Band give a performance of music from classics through to jazz and modern favourites. Bring a picnic rug and enjoy Cornish band music at its best.
Saturday 22 June
3-4pm
Victoria Gardens
FREE – no booking required.
Double bill evening:
Canoryon Lowen
Based in St Neot, Canoryon Lowen choir draws its 30 plus members from Cornwall and Devon. The choir’s repertoire ranges from Byrd to Brubeck and includes large scale original works and arrangements by the choir’s music director, Cornish Bard Nick Hart. Canoryon Lowen has performed in Lorient International Festival, Venice, Florence and Prague.
Saturday 22 June
6-7pm
Saltash Wesley Methodist Church
Tickets £3-£7.
&
The Diabel Cissokho Band
Saltash-based, internationally renowned musician Diabel Cissokho hails from Senegal, West Africa. He grew up in a family of musicians whose ancestors entertained the Emperors of Mali. His pioneering work draws on traditional music, fused with irresistible blues, afro-beat and more.
A trailblazer and virtuosic talent of the kora, Diabel’s “resonant voice and rocking kora style” (Songlines), have been welcomed everywhere from WOMAD to Glastonbury, Africa Oyé and the Barbican. He has collaborated with a diverse range of musicians including Baaba Maal, Youssou N’Dour and Paul McCartney and his music is infectious, uplifting and accessible to all.
Supported by the Sue Hooper Charitable Foundation.
Saturday 22 June
7.30-9.30pm
Saltash Wesley Methodist Church
Tickets £3-£10.
Gigs in Saltash
Saltash’s many pubs host a wealth of live music all through the year. Tonight you can catch:
Terence Waldstadt with best classic rock from the last 60 years at The Two Bridges.
The Rust Company retro rock & roll at The Union Inn.
Saturday 22 June
9-11pm
Booking not required.
Over 18s only.
Sunday 23 June
Pop-Up Piano Session
Enjoy an afternoon of pop-up performances by talented local pianists (ages 8-80 years), performing on Saltash’s own street-piano. If you would like to take part and play your piano party-piece email info@songsandshanties.co.uk (all standards and abilities welcome).
Sunday 23 June
2-4pm
Waterside
FREE – no booking required
Festival Finale:
Join us for a foot-stomping final evening, featuring two fantastic groups and the best music from Cornwall and the Tamar Valley.
Book both bands: Full Price £8 each – used discount code FINALE when booking.
Nos Lowen with Bagas Fellyon
Cornish for “happy night” a Nos Lowen is an evening between a ceilidh and a Breton Fest Noz. This event is accessible to young and old alike – children are welcome. Follow our dance leaders to join in with the fun or sit back and enjoy the music and spectacle.
Hailing from the darkest depths of Cornwall, Bagas Fellyon are re-imagining the sound of Cornish traditional music. Using drums, bass, saxophone, fiddle, accordion and hammered dulcimer, they weave hypnotic rhythms and textures in combination with melodies both ancient and modern.
Sunday 23 June
5-7pm
Saltash Social Club
Tickets £3-£10
&
Barrett’s Privateers
Based in the beautiful Tamar Valley, Barrett’s Privateers share a love of sea-faring songs, shanties and traditional folk music. Helmed by their captain, Gideon Barrett, with his vast knowledge of traditional songs, their mixed voices give harmonious and hugely entertaining performances.
Sunday 23 June
7.30-9.30pm
Saltash Social Club
Tickets £3-£10
…And one final workshop on Monday 24 June:
Workshop: Acapella with GraceNotes
For ages 12+ (12-17 years must be accompanied by a parent/guardian).
Monday 24 June
7.30-10pm
Burranton Community Centre
Free – please book a place in advance.
Comments and photos from 2023:
Genuinely interesting event that could only happen at this festival.
Excellent quality in the performance.
Great music. Very well organised.
Beautiful singing. Friendly atmosphere and smoothly organised.
Pitched perfectly. My 16-month-old enjoyed it as much as her 76-year-old Grandad.
Lovely introduction to Cornish culture.
Everything has been great – performers are really good.
Marvellous entertainment in a wonderful setting on a beautiful day. Perfect.
Really lovely to see such a great range of performers and some super talented people.
Great bands, lovely venue, amazing staff!
Hope to come to more next year.
The atmosphere was very friendly and great music scene. Very varied.
Excellent quality of performances and evident love of Cornwall.
