Kathryn Roberts and Sean Lakeman

BBC Radio 2 Folk Award for Best Duo – 2016 & 2013. With their landmark 5th album, ‘Personae’, husband and wife duo Kathryn Roberts and Sean Lakeman introduce us to a host of new characters and stories from their fertile and energetic musical imaginations.

Drawing upon the British folk tradition’s natural backdrops whilst weaving in their own distinct and eclectic flavours, self-penned songs sit comfortably alongside traditional ballads to provide a hugely entertaining and varied evening of music and song.

Listen out for stories of Knights, grizzly murder, giants and even an ancient tortoise!

Twice winners of the BBC Radio 2 Folk Award for ‘Best Duo’, an evening in the company of this much-loved and highly respected couple is intimate, inclusive, warm and inspiring.

Jo Harman Duo - Otterton Mill, Otterton, nr Budleigh Salterton, Devon, EX9 7HG - 8.00pm Tickets £15.00 (price covers the music only) Visit website

A first visit to the Mill for Jo a super talented performer whose rise to stardom is assured, hailing from the southwest we are delighted to welcome her to the Mill. “ On course to be the finest UK female blues soul voice” – Gavin Martin, Daily Mirror

To book, telephone 01395 568521 or visit the craft shop in the mill building - website

The concerts take place in the Mill’s intimate restaurant setting, and music-goers can enjoy great menus of seasonal food between 6 to 7.30pm. Music starts at 8pm. (Note: ticket prices shown cover music only).

World Unlimited -Lisa Knapp - St Mary's Parish Church, Kingskerswell TQ12 5LD - doors 7.00pm - Tickets £12.50+ advance from WeGotTickets Go to website for more information, telephone 01803 875527 or email

Till April is Dead – A Garland of Ritual & Love songs in the Month of May. One of the most inventive and creative artists around, Lisa Knapp pushes boundaries with her radiant interpretation of traditional folk music. Her vocals reel you in, “cool and pure like iced water, edged with a menace and strength” (The Guardian). Her most recent album Till April is Dead gathered many five-star reviews. The month of May is the focal point for an eruption of traditions, rituals and celebrations across the Northern Hemisphere: summer is coming, the weather is warmer and the promise of long, light evenings provide a perfect excuse to sing, dance and celebrate. Melding together some of the most beautiful, strange and beguiling ‘May’ songs inspired by weird and wonderful happenings across Britain, as well as folklore hailing from here and distant shores, and beautiful folk songs of love and loss.

World Unlimited is a voluntary not-for-profit organisation. Telephone 01803 875527 or email
Originally based in Birmingham, WU now regularly promotes concerts in South Devon. Go to website for more information

Joseph Parsons - Dog House Roses - The Bridge Inn, Bridge Hill, Topsham, Exeter, EX3 0QQ - 7.30pm - Tickets £10.00+ from WeGotTickets

JOSEPH PARSONS is a prolific songwriter, recording artist and performer with over 20 commercial label releases including 2016’s “The Field/The Forest” (Blue Rose Records). His music weaves elements of rock, folk & soul into a distinctive and authentic sound. Both as a solo artist, and also with his band, his stage shows are dynamic, spirited and deeply moving experiences.

Originally from the music city of Philadelphia, Joseph Parsons has made his name by consistently delivering exceptional song driven albums alongside a rigorous touring schedule throughout Europe and the US, including several tours of the UK and Germany with Doghouse Roses.

"Once again, this album shows that Joseph Parsons is one of the most talented singer-songwriters of his time - it has been like this for years. Now must be the time for his deserved breakthrough....." (Maverick)
DOGHOUSE ROSES are a highly acclaimed folk / Americana duo from Glasgow formed by guitarist Paul Tasker and singer Iona Macdonald in 2006. 

The tenth anniversary of the band was marked with the release of their third studio album, 'Lost Is Not Losing'' in November 2016 which subsequently gained superb reviews across the music press. On the week of its release it was album of the week on BBC Radio Scotland, and the Daily Express declared that it 'delivers an extraordinary punch'. 

Previous years saw the duo establish their reputation through the UK and Central Europe, touring on their own and as members of U.S. based alt-country collective The Willard Grant Conspiracy. 

Two full length studio albums released in 2008 (How’ve You Been All This Time?) and 2010 (This Broken Key) garnered critical acclaim with R2 magazine stating that the music “mines the best of Scottish and American musical influences”. 

EFFA Fundraiser with Phat Bollard + Front Cover **Live** - Exeter Cavern, 83-84 Queen Street Exeter EX4 3RP - 7.00pm - Tickets £7.50+ From WeGotTickets - Vegan food from 7.00pm

A fundraiser for Exeter Friends for Animals featuring vegan food and live music from Phat Bollard + Front Cover

Phat Bollard
Phat Bollard might just be the most important group you’ve never heard of. Hailing from Cornwall, England, they survive by busking the streets, touring the UK and living out of their van. Generally a five piece unit featuring two guitars, mandolin, washtub bass and percussion, they raise a ruckus with joyful noise and highly nuanced songs that deal with some of today’s most important issues.

Front Cover
Three piece acoustic band based in Torquay. With a varied set list including songs from all decades

Sam Lee: Singing with Nightingales

Wild nightingales will be among the guest artists when the Mercury Prize-nominated folk star Sam Lee brings his acclaimed SINGING WITH NIGHTINGALES event to The Phoenix in Exeter - combining music and story-telling with a live link to woods where the birds are in full courtship sing.

The evening is a concert version of the campfire nights which the roots music promoter, The Nest Collective, has been running at nightingale sites in south east England since 2015 and which are happening again this Spring in Kent and Sussex.

For the Exeter event Sam Lee will be joined by two SW-based musicians - Chartwell Dutiro, a vocalist and mbira maestro, and by the internationally touring multi-instrumentalists Francesca Simmons - and also via a live link to one of the UK's last remaining strongholds of the bird widely believed possess one of Nature's finest voices.

Sam Lee says: "The song of the nightingale has been captivating human hearts and imaginations since ancient times but the numbers visiting Britain are in decline, and it is very rare to hear them now even in the countryside.  The aim of our events is to let more people experience the timeless magic of nightingale song and make them part of one of the rarest of concerts a human/bird duet.

The event is one of only seven being staged in the UK this Spring and is a companion to a series of campfire events taking place every weekend from April 20 to May 26 in Kent and Sussex. For more details of the indoor and outdoor programme, please see website; find Singing With Nightingales on Facebook &/or follow @samleesong/@NestFolk on Twitter.

FOS Brothers - Bridge Inn, Topsham, Exeter EX3 0QQ  - 8.00pm - Tickets £10.00 from The Bridge Inn telephone 01392 873862.
Growing up in Belfast in the 70's the FOS brothers fuse an eclectic mix of their own original songs with traditional Irish sensibilities flavoured liberally with Floydian/Genesis/Horslipian spices. Their mix drums, percussion Loops and samples and soaring guitars and bass delight Festival audiences and that’s even before they start singing! – New CD Clear Again was mastered by Simon Heyworth of Mike Oldfield’s famed production. – Don’t Miss them. Bucolic folk has a psychedelic head-fit. 

Another one of Calstock's favourite bands! First in Calstock there was Po'Girl with Alli Russell and Awna Texeira in 2010. Then Jt & The Clouds in Feb 2011 followed by PoGirl with JT in the band in Sep 2011. In 2013 Birds of Chicago (Alli & JT) played at Cotehele now they are back with a four piece band
Birds of Chicago began in 2012 when Nero started writing for his vocal star-muse, Russell. Both were accomplished singer/songwriters with projects of their own, Nero with JT and the Clouds and Russell with the acclaimed Canadian roots outfit Po’ Girl, but together there was an unmistakable chemistry. A cross border band was born.

Stark, elemental imagery that feels like scripture, or a lost folk song recovered; the Birds draw heavily on the gospel tradition and the music feels like a new, secular gospel of sorts. For Birds of Chicago, every word counts. Every note counts. No gold-dusting, no filler. Music is the good news and Real Midnight, the band’s poignant 2016 Joe Henry produced album, throbbed with an urgency that felt quietly seismic.

Music this raw and soul-rich demands to be experienced live, and Birds of Chicago have developed a fervent following, touring 200 nights a year since their formation in late 2012. For these Birds, singing for a room full of new people, hearts wide open, keeps off the cold and chases off the shadows. In 2018 the Birds will be bringing American Flowers and Love in Wartime to a town near you. Rock and Roll will save our souls. Or, it’s got as good a chance as anything.

SONG - Exeter Folk and Acoustic Music Club - Guest - Greg Russell - support to be confirmed. 8.00pm - Tickets (this is an advanced ticket reservation concert only) - Paid in advance - £10.00; Advanced notice without pre-payment - £12.00 (paid on the door). For more information and ticket enquiries email - telephone 01392 210983 - visit website - go to FaceBook page.

Greg is one of the many young performers on the current folk scene making a huge impression.  He is now firmly established as a soloist and as well as performing with Ciaran Algar among others. He is an excellent songwriter and interpreter of songs with a very rich, mature voice beyond his years and a very fine musician indeed playing Guitar and Bouzouki, amongst other instruments.
He is currently touring with the very popular new interpretation of the Transports production and in recent times has worked with Mick Ryan in his folk operas, as well as Peggy Seegar and Martin Simpson.
He has won the BBC 2 Radio Young Folk award and the Horizon award, alongside Ciaran Algar in 2013 and 2014 respectively.
In 2017 Greg released his debut album, Inclined To Be Red, to great critical acclaim.

World Unlimited - Noble Jacks - St Mary's Parish Church, Kingskerswell TQ12 5LD - doors 7.00pm - Tickets £12.00+ advance from WeGotTickets Go to website for more information, telephone 01803 875527 or email
Noble Jacks are a rip-roaring Alt-Folk band with roof raising energy, whose warm electro-acoustic interactions fuse together a mixture of folky footstompin’ rhythms and engaging lyricism. The band encompasses heartfelt, yet uptempo songs showcasing fiddle, blues harmonica and big anthem toplines. Noble Jacks have a relentless gigging schedule around the the British folk scene and recorded their debut album with Union Music Store at The Metway studio in Brighton. Sold out last year and what a night it was

World Unlimited is a voluntary not-for-profit organisation. Telephone 01803 875527 or email
Originally based in Birmingham, WU now regularly promotes concerts in South Devon. Go to website for more information

Charity ceilidh dance - The Dartmoor Pixies - Shebbear Village Hall, Beaworthy, EX21 5RS - 8.00pm. Tickets £7.50, children under 15 free. Telephone Ruth 01409 281699. Bring and share supper, soft drinks available, bring your own alcohol. Raffle.

Peter Knight's Gigspanner - The Flavel, Flavel Place, Dartmouth, Devon TQ6 9ND - Box Office telephone 01803 839530 visit website
The advent of Gigspanner has introduced a whole new audience to the extraordinary musicianship of Peter Knight, a violinist whom many consider to be in a league of his own. The late author Sir Terry Pratchett in praising Peter's great gift wrote with typical lyricism "Peter Knight can spin the world on his Bow". Peter is joined by Roger Flack on guitar and Sacha Trochet on percussion, both powerful and intelligent musicians in their own right. The captivating nature of their set stems not only from their creative ability and vision, but the eclectic nature of the material chosen. There are eddies and undercurrents drawn from a whole palette of influences which engage and enthral audiences to the closing notes. Part of the Dart Music Festival

World Unlimited -Ninebarrow - St Mary's Parish Church, Kingskerswell TQ12 5LD - doors 7.00pm - Tickets £12.00+ advance from WeGotTickets Go to website for more information, telephone 01803 875527 or email
Ninebarrow are a multi-award-winning folk duo, who are impressing audiences across the country with their innovative and captivating take on the folk tradition. Described by Mike Harding as sounding ‘damn fine’ by Seth Lakeman as ‘a fantastic duo’ and by Kate Rusby as ‘absolutely amazing’, Jon Whitley and Jay LaBouchardiere combine breath taking vocal harmonies and melodies, delivering songs that are inspired and rooted in the landscape and history of the British Isles. Most recently, the duo were nominated in the 2017 BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards in the ‘Horizon’ category for Best Emerging Artist.

World Unlimited is a voluntary not-for-profit organisation. Telephone 01803 875527 or email
Originally based in Birmingham, WU now regularly promotes concerts in South Devon. Go to website for more information

World Unlimited -Hans Theessink & Brooks Williams ‘Steady Rolling Blues’ - St Mary's Parish Church, Kingskerswell TQ12 5LD - doors 7.00pm - Go to website for more information, telephone 01803 875527 or email

Hans Theessink, is one of the fiercest acoustic players in Europe and one of the top acoustic blues stars worldwide, a man who has played with the best and is one of the best, American or European, black & white, old and young, since The 1960s.This guy is the real deal, just a bluesmaster who is as good as it gets on every level. He is literally an international blues treasure.

Brooks Williams has been Voted in the Top 100 Acoustic Guitarists of all time. “Pan-Americana Roots ‘n Blues, doused in Moonshine alt-Billy and delicious Dixie” Net Rhythms

“I’ve known Brooks for many years. He’s a lovely player, a lovely singer, and a great writer and a lovely man. The real thing” Martin Simpson

Brooks Williams is a man on a mission. He not only tours like a hellhound’s on his trail, but creates a super-charged music that is electrifying and fighting fit. His influences fly so fast and furious they blur, yet his sound…well, no one does it like Brooks. He stands on tradition but he doesn’t stand still.

World Unlimited is a voluntary not-for-profit organisation. Telephone 01803 875527 or email
Originally based in Birmingham, WU now regularly promotes concerts in South Devon. Go to website for more information

Mitchell and Vincent are an acoustic duo with guitars and fiddles. And David and Graham make their own instruments.

Knowing that they are both guitar makers, you are asking “Do they play their own guitars?” Dave does indeed play a guitar he made, It’s a wonderful sounding nylon strung classical guitar with a cedar top – they’ve done so many gigs in the last few years that it’s starting to look a bit tatty – but luckily Dave has a couple more he’s made as spares for when the time comes to retire the old girl! Graham finally got round to making himself a violin, which is now one of his gigging violins. They're both making more instruments should you be interested in buying one.

Nick Hennessey - The Ruined House of Skin - Totnes Methodist Church 40 - 42 Fore Street, Totnes TQ9 5RP. 7.30pm - Tickets £7.50 advance at TicketSource  or £9.00 on the door.

"The hag, a ruined house of skin and bone, sits winding up a thread. It is a thread that draws us slowly, inevitably into the withering arms of age. It is our ruin. But on her tongue is a song, on her breath is the fragrance of truth."

This story of a great search and the ultimate journey, is a reconfiguration of wild Irish mythology that lays bare our thirst for truth. Performance storyteller and singer, Nick Hennessey brings the tale of a dying king and the prince who must earn his crown. This will be elemental, poetic and moving.

‘This is storytelling brilliance at its best.’ Everything Theatre

South Devon Storytellers are delighted to welcome one of England's most skilful storytellers to Totnes. Do not miss this show!

Cara Dillon - support Local singer, songwriter Adam Sweet - The Beehive Arts Centre, Dowell Street, Honiton, EX14 1LZ - 7.30pm - Tickets £20.00 - Student £10.00 (seated) Accessible seats available by calling the box office 01404 384050. For more information and tickets telephone 01404 384050 or go to website
Cara Dillon occupies an enviable position at the very top of her genre. This extraordinary Irish singer has been captivating audiences and achieving exceptional acclaim for over 20 years. She has (according to Mojo magazine) "Quite possibly the world's most beautiful female voice".

Alongside a selection of favourites from her previous releases, Cara will be performing material from her new album "Wanderer" which is a collection of beautiful and moving songs recorded in an intimate setting with her husband and musical partner Sam Lakeman.

Every note and word is sung with a passion and confidence earned through a life of experience singing traditional songs. Legions of fans will attest to their impassioned performances with Cara's warm and natural stage presence something to savour.

Gillmore and Roberts- ThePlough@TheGeorge, The George Hotel, 1 Broad Street, South Molton EX36 3AB - 8.00pm - Full £12.00 - Supporter £9.00. To reserve tickets telephone the Box Office on 01805 624624. To purchase tickets and more information visit website
Contemporary folk/acoustic duo Gilmore & Roberts combine award-winning songwriting with astounding musicianship and their trademark harmonies to create a powerful wall of sound. Nominated three times at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards, Katriona Gilmore (fiddle, mandolin) and Jamie Roberts(guitar) have toured the UK, Canada and mainland Europe, and their critically acclaimed albums have received airplay on BBC Radio 2, 3, 4 and 6 music

Ensemble Baklava and Griselda Sanderson’s Radial Band - St Mary’s Church, High Street, Totnes TQ9 5NN - 7.30pm (Doors 7.00pm) Tickets £8.00 on the door, refreshments. In aid of St John’s Windows of Opportunity Fund.

This collaboration between Baklava and Griselda Sanderson’s Radial Band is an exciting chance to see these two local bands for the price of one, and at the same time contribute to St John’s window fund!

Both bands combine improvisation and original material into their performances of songs and dance tunes drawn from the peoples and cultures of Europe - from the music of Medieval Spain to the rich musical heritage of the lands around the Eastern Mediterranean, from the dances of Scandinavia to the rhythms of eastern Europe - all performed on many exotic instruments.

More information on Baklava websites and Radial Band Facebook page .

World Unlimited - Gilmore & Roberts - St Mary's Parish Church, Kingskerswell TQ12 5LD - doors 7.00pm - Tickets £12.00+ advance from WeGotTickets Go to website for more information, telephone 01803 875527 or email Contemporary folk/acoustic duo Gilmore & Roberts combine award-winning songwriting with astounding musicianship and their trademark harmonies to create a powerful wall of sound. Nominated three times at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards, Katriona Gilmore (fiddle, mandolin) and Jamie Roberts (guitar) met while studying at Leeds College of Music and released their debut album in 2008. Since then, the duo have toured Canada and mainland Europe, played some of the UK’s biggest acoustic festivals, toured with folk rock legends Fairport Convention, and won countless accolades for their genre-spanning work.

World Unlimited is a voluntary not-for-profit organisation. Telephone 01803 875527 or email
Originally based in Birmingham, WU now regularly promotes concerts in South Devon. Go to website for more information

World Unlimited - Robyn Hitchcock - + support from The Left Outsides - St Mary's Parish Church, Kingskerswell TQ12 5LD - doors 7.00pm - Tickets £14.00+ advance from WeGotTickets Go to website for more information, telephone 01803 875527 or email
Robyn Hitchcock is one of England’s most enduring contemporary singer/songwriters and live performers. A surrealist poet, talented guitarist, cult artist and musician’s musician, Hitchcock is among alternative rock’s father figures and is the closest thing the genre has to a Bob Dylan (not coincidentally his biggest musical inspiration). Blending folk and psychedelia with a wry British nihilism, Robyn describes his songs as ‘paintings you can listen to’. 

World Unlimited is a voluntary not-for-profit organisation. Telephone 01803 875527 or email
Originally based in Birmingham, WU now regularly promotes concerts in South Devon. Go to website for more information

Fairport Convention

Fairport Convention has been making great music for over fifty years. Credited with originating British folk-rock music, the band has been through many changes but the current members retain a passion for live performance. This year’s Winter Tour will feature a mix of long-established Fairport favourites and new material from their most recent studio album 50:50@50 celebrating their Golden anniversary. Fairport Convention has attracted critical acclaim: the band has won a coveted BBC Lifetime Achievement Award; Radio 2 listeners voted Fairport’s groundbreaking album Liege & Lief 'The Most Influential Folk Album of All Time'; and their story has been celebrated with a major documentary on BBC Four television. Fairport Convention features Simon Nicol on guitar and vocals, Dave Pegg on bass guitar, Chris Leslie on fiddle, mandolin and vocals, Ric Sanders on violin and Gerry Conway on drums and percussion.

Edwina Hayes’ Mile Roses Trio - Otterton Mill, Otterton, nr Budleigh Salterton, Devon, EX9 7HG - 8.00pm Tickets £17.50 - including a glass of Mill Punch (price covers the music only) Visit website

Mississippi native now Alabama resident Lisa Mills could be called a blues singer, or a gospel singer or a torch singer or an R&B singer and each label would be accurate. Her 2015 tour was a rousing success and her emotional, sophisticated performances won many plaudits. ‘Lisa Mills- one of the finest blues singers you’ve probably not heard but will demand more of’ Blues all Over the place.

To book, telephone 01395 568521 or visit the craft shop in the mill building - website

The concerts take place in the Mill’s outside courtyard, and music-goers can enjoy great menus of seasonal food between 6 to 7.30pm. Music starts at 8pm. (Note: ticket prices shown cover music only).