Latest News | 3 March 2021
Music to the ears as folk festival set to return
Derby LIVE has announced that the city’s popular annual folk festival will return to the live stage later this year.
Tickets have already gone on sale for the Derby Folk Festival, which is due to take place in the heart of the city centre, from Friday 1 October to Sunday 3 October.
Last year’s event was hosted ‘at home,’ as live concerts could not go ahead due to the pandemic.
Instead, online performances especially recorded for the festival drew audiences from around the world, along with an extensive Festival Fringe on Facebook.
Now many of the artists who had planned to be in Derby last year are preparing to return in the autumn, optimistic that live shows can once more draw folk enthusiasts back into the city.
It will be the first festival since the death of festival co-director Mick Peat.
In his honour, the event’s main stage in the marquee on Derby Market Place will now be known as The Mick Peat Stage.
Bob Rushton, festival director, said: “As the festival returns to the city centre, it is an honour to put Mick Peat at the heart of it by renaming the main stage after him.
“His loss is felt by everyone who knew him and our thoughts are with his family and many close friends.
“Derby Folk Festival is now in its 15th year and we’ve always kept going whatever challenges we’ve faced, whether that be the fire in the Assembly Rooms, the Covid pandemic, or the tentative return to live performance afterwards.
“Getting together again after the year we’ve all had is going to be extra special this time.”
Councillor Robin Wood, cabinet member for culture, leisure and tourism, said: “Derby Folk Festival is quite rightly a national event. It draws fans from all over the country and creates a fantastic atmosphere.
“While it was good that last year’s online version meant it didn’t miss a year, I’m really looking forward to seeing it take over the city centre again when we can enjoy meeting up safely.”
Tickets are now on sale on the Derby Live website or from its sales and information centre on 01332 255800.
