The Gower Folk Festival

By Gareth Cornfield

The Gower Festival is in its 21st year & looks to be going from strength to strength. Last year it relocated from The Heritage Centre to the home of the Halfpenny Folk Club, The Greyhound Inn Llanrhidian.

There was a terrific mix of music performances, workshops, and informal singarounds. Over the course of the weekend, there were four singaround sessions where anyone could join in.These were hosted by festival staff. The performers held workshops. If you wanted to learn more about accordion, dance, fiddle, singing, melodeon or guitar, then you could have time with John Loomes, Richard & Jess Arrowsmith Nancy Kerr, Marilyn Mellor, Steve Turner and The Melrose Quartet. If that was not enough, then there were the performances. Friday night started with Deux sans Frontieres , followed by Heretique. The music was foot-tappingly infectious. The Marquee was filled with people dancing & thoroughly enjoying the night.

Delyth & Angharad Jenkins, performing as D’n’A started the programme on Saturday afternoon. The locally based mother & daughter duo had their first performance as a duo at this festival and it was good to see them return. Marilyn Middleton Mellor delighted with her vocal skills coupled with her stagecraft. A personal highlight was Vicki Swan & Jonny Dyer. They were brilliant, great musicianship and a lot of fun. They also introduced us to the Nykellharpa, a Swedish bowed instrument, rather reminiscent of a bowed Hurdy Gurdy.

Vicki Swan & Jonny Dyer (photo from their website)

Grace Notes have expanded to incorporate a new member. The beautiful melding of voices, weaving pictures in the air was a lovely way to spend a sunny afternoon.

James Fagan & Nancy Kerr were as great as I had hoped, even more so. They, together with Jess & Richard Arrowsmith were probably the hardest workers over the weekend. They performed as duos, as a group – the Melrose Quartet, and did several workshops. They also supplied the “ahhh” moment of the festival. Whilst on stage with the Melrose Quartet, Nancy Kerr’s son made his way on to the stage and hid behind his mum! He was gently removed by John Loomes who took him to the green room to play. He gave John the slip & went back on stage. Surely the most cooed over & welcome stage invasion ever.

The Melrose Quartet was my highlight of Saturday night; a wonderful amalgam of four musicians at their best, melding beautifully with modern & traditional songs & tunes. I could have listened to them all night and am going to buy their album, 50 Verses, as soon as I can.

The Melrose Quartet (photo from their website)

Sunday was kicked off by a 4 person bouree dance workshop. This was followed by another new favourite, David Gibb & Elly Lucas. They are a young duo who won the Young Folk Award in 2011. An impressive Gower festival debut that was enjoyed by all.

Dave Gibb & Elly Lucas (photo from their website)

Jess & Richard Arrowsmith, also of the Melrose Quartet, gave a delightful set. Jess’s voice getting the most out of the lyrics

My highlight of Sunday was the Niamh Dunne Trio, freshly over from Ireland. This was a musically tight group who were able to give each other the space to make the most of the songs & tunes. The banter was brilliant, plenty of chat with the audience, lots of laughs.

Niamh Dunne (photo from her website)

The Festival closed with Jamie Smith’s Mabon making a very welcome return. They played many pieces from their current album, the excellent ‘Windblown’. A fantastic end to a wonderful festival.

Jamie Smith’s Mabon (photo from their website)

I would recommend checking out all of the acts as there wasn’t a low point at all. I haven’t listed all of the acts as space limits me. Also, make sure you are there next year. I am certain that the plans are already being made.