The Top Folk Music Festivals of 2012
Contents
Check out our list of the top folk music festivals of 2012. From Newport to Chicago, there’s a festival for every taste.
Introduction
Music festivals have become a staple in the live music scene. They offer fans a chance to see multiple artists perform over the course of several days, and they also provide a sense of community for those who attend them. Folk music festivals are no exception, and there are several great ones taking place around the world in 2012.
So if you’re a fan of folk music, or just looking for a great music festival to attend, check out our list of the top folk music festivals of 2012.
The Newport Folk Festival
The Newport Folk Festival is an annual event that takes place in Newport, Rhode Island. It is one of the longest running and most prestigious folk festivals in the United States. The festival was founded in 1959 by George Wein, who also founded the Newport Jazz Festival.
The Newport Folk Festival has featured many of the most important figures in folk music, including Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, Pete Seeger, and Woody Guthrie. The festival has also helped to launch the careers of many young folk musicians, including Tracy Chapman and Richie Havens.
The 2012 Newport Folk Festival will take place from July 27th to 29th.
The Cambridge Folk Festival
The Cambridge Folk Festival is one of the most popular and longest running folk festivals in the world. The festival takes place in the beautiful city of Cambridge, England and attracts some of the biggest names in folk music from all over the globe. The 2012 festival will take place from August 24th-27th and will feature headliners such as Mumford & Sons, Richard Thompson and Joan Baez.
The Fairport’s Cropredy Convention
The Fairport’s Cropredy Convention is a three-day music festival which takes place in the village of Cropredy in Oxfordshire, England. The festival was founded in 1976 by the folk rock band Fairport Convention and has been held annually since then, usually on the second weekend in August. The convention features a mixture of traditional and contemporary folk music, and has also increasingly featured artist from other genres such as rock and pop.
The Celtic Colours International Festival
The Celtic Colours International Festival is one of the most celebrated and respected events of its kind in the world. Founded in 1997, this music festival held in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia celebrates the culture and music of the Celtic nations. The festival features over 200 concerts, ceilidhs, workshops, square dances, and other events featuring traditional and contemporary Celtic music from around the world. Performers come from all over the Celtic diaspora, including Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Cornwall, Brittany, Galicia, the Isle of Man, and Cape Breton itself. The festival takes place each October and attracts over 35,000 attendees from all over the world.
The Edmonton Folk Music Festival
The Edmonton Folk Music Festival is an annual folk music festival held in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. The festival takes place in early August at Gallagher Park. The 2012 edition of the festival is set for August 9-12.
The Edmonton Folk Music Festival has been running since 1980 and is one of the largest and most well-known folk festivals in North America. The festival attracts around 100,000 people each year and features a wide variety of folk performers from all over the world.
Some of the notable performers who have played at the Edmonton Folk Music Festival over the years include Bob Dylan, Emmylou Harris, Leonard Cohen, Willie Nelson, Neil Young, Dolly Parton, Johnny Cash,Bonnie Raitt, and Emmylou Harris. The 2012 edition of the festival will feature such acts as Wilco, Feist, Father John Misty, Laura Marling, Of Monsters and Men, Dawes, Beirut, and many more.
If you’re a fan of folk music or just looking for a great summer music festival to attend, be sure to check out the Edmonton Folk Music Festival.
The Winnipeg Folk Festival
The Winnipeg Folk Festival is one of the top folk music festivals in the world. It is held every year in Manitoba, Canada and features a wide variety of folk musicians from all over the globe. The festival has been running since 1974 and attracts around 85,000 people each year.
The Philadelphia Folk Festival
Now in its 52nd year, the Philadelphia Folk Festival is the longest running outdoor music festival of its kind. The four-day event, which takes place in early August, features over 100 musical acts on 7 stages. There is also a juried crafts show with over 200 exhibitors, as well as food and camping options.
The Festival of the Bells
The Festival of the Bells is a five-day music festival that takes place in early August in Copperhill, Tennessee. The festival features a wide variety of folk music, from traditional to contemporary, as well as workshops and jam sessions. past performers have included The Duhks, Tim O’Brien, Trout Fishing in America, and many more.
The Kerrville Folk Festival
The Kerrville Folk Festival is a music festival that takes place in Kerrville, Texas. The festival was founded in 1972 by Rod Kennedy and is held annually on the grounds of the Quiet Valley Ranch. The festival lasts for 18 days and features a wide variety of musical acts, ranging from folk and country to rock and blues.
