The inaugural event was organized in August 2009 near Kimmeridge Bay as the Purbeck Folk Festival.[2] In 2014, the festival was held during 22–24 August at Wilkswood Farm, Langton Matravers, and had an attendance of 2,400 visitors.[3][4] In 2015, the festival adopted its current name and moved to Purbeck Valley Farm in Harman's Cross.[5]
It takes place over three days across five stages, and in addition to the music includes workshops, Purbeck Rising, Purbeck Poetry Slam, a children’s area with crafts, storytelling, puppet shows, theatre/games, circus skills and clowns, youth music workshops,
a craft area (including crochet, clay, origami, candle, jewellery and tutu making) and a healing area.[6]
Artists who have appeared at Purbeck Valley Folk Festival
Headlining acts at the festivals since 2015 include:
2015: Richard Thompson, Hot Rize, Justin Currie, Stornaway, Chris Difford, Kathryn Tickell and the Side[7]
2016: Villagers, The Proclaimers, Eliza Carthy and the Wayward Band, Kathryn Roberts and Seth Lakeman[8]
2017: Turin Brakes, Gabby Young, Badly Drawn Boy, Kathryn Williams, This is the Kit, Michele Stodart, Lady Maisery and 3 Daft Monkeys[9]
2018: King Creosote, Richard Thompson Electric Set, Beth Orton, Elephant Sessions [10]
2022: Jackie Oates and John Spiers, Glenn Ross and The Caverick Sisters[13]
2023: The Magic Numbers, Newton Faulkner, Sarah Jarosz, Seth Lakeman, Kathryn Williams, Lady Nade[14]
Purbeck Rising
Purbeck Rising showcases up and coming talent. It is an opportunity for bands, duos or singer songwriters to perform in front of a panel of judges from other local folk festivals including Wimborne, Wessex and Bridport Folk Festivals, after taking part in a selection process.
Previous performers include:
2023: Aayushi, Amica, Arquebus Trio, The Ashen Keys, Laura Loh, Rachel Hill[15]
2022: Rob Clamp, Megan Linford, Den Miller Music, Igloo Hearts, Anna Renae, 14 Wolves
^Mellen, Steve (21 August 2014). "Days out The West hosts more than one great festival on a farm". Bristol Post – via ProQuest.
^Pilcher, Danielle Robyn; Eade, Nick (2016). "Understanding the audience: Purbeck Folk Festival". International Journal of Event and Festival Management. 7 (1): 21–49. doi:10.1108/IJEFM-09-2015-0039. ISSN1758-2954.
^"Location". Purbeck Valley Folk Festival. Retrieved 16 March 2021.
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