The line-up for this year’s Medieval Music in the Dales festival has been announced.
Medieval Music in the Dales takes place every September in and around Bolton Castle in Wensleydale.
It’s a festival that’s unique not just in Yorkshire but in the UK, as it is the only event that is dedicated solely to the music of the middle ages.
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Organisers say it is a laid back mix of concerts from leading musicians, informal sessions and open stages, instrument makers from across Europe, and a line-up of workshops ranging from how to play the hurdy-gurdy, to medieval dancing, to musical storytelling.
2018 is the third year of the festival, and the theme this year is Medieval Music and Stories of the British Isles.
Medieval Music in the Dales aims to attract festival-goers from all around the globe, but is organised by Richmond-based medieval musicians Paul Leigh and Gill Page.
“We love medieval music and we love festivals,” said festival director Gill.
“But there wasn’t anything that combined the two, so in the end we decided to do it ourselves! And then we were so lucky to get together with Bolton Castle – the perfect venue for a medieval festival.
“Now the festival is the heart of a real community of music-lovers across the country and beyond, who call it the best event of the year.”
Together, Paul and Gill are the band Trouvere, and they have been based in Yorkshire for nearly 20 years.
They travel widely performing medieval music in concert and for historic events. Spending so much time on the road was another reason to create their own cracking festival right here on their doorstep.
This year’s festival takes place on September 7, 8 and 9 and the line-up includes concerts from The York Waits, harpists Bill Taylor and Sarah Deere-Jones and early pipes specialist Barnaby Brown amongst others.
In total there will be more than 25 bands and performers playing their music around the castle
New this year is a family fay on Sunday, with shows, workshops and activities for children and families.
The full line-up is online at www.medievalmusicinthedales.co.uk.
