A new music festival that aims to champion gender equality in the music industry is set to come to York this summer.
Yorkshire-based transatlantic folk band, The Magpies, have announced that they will be hosting The Magpies Festival – featuring some of the UK’s finest folk musicians.
It will take place on Saturday 14th August in the parkland of stately home Sutton Park, near York.
The line-up is set to feature Sam Kelly & The Lost Boys, Rob Heron & The Tea Pad Orchestra, Blair Dunlop, Katherine Priddy, Dan Webster, Katie Spencer, Roswell, The People Versus and Gina Dootson, with more names still to be announced.
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Three accomplished musicians in their own right, The Magpies features Celtic Connections Award winning guitarist, banjo-player and singer Bella Gaffney, clawhammer banjo player and singer Kate Griffin and acclaimed fiddle-player and tunesmith Holly Brandon.
They have performed at festivals such as Glastonbury, Cambridge Folk Festival, and Shambala, alongside international tours in Canada, Portugal and Ireland.
They are bringing a ‘fresh feminist voice’ to traditional music.
As an all-female band The Magpies are set on championing gender equality in the music industry.
The festival intends to achieve gender parity in both its line-up and staff – as well as providing a safe and comfortable environment for female musicians and festival goers.
The Magpies Festival will also be in support of the charity Women’s Aid, who are working to end domestic abuse against women and children.
Opportunities for local musicians
The festival is rooted in The Magpies’ native Yorkshire, where the band first met.
The festival’s ethos aims to support the local community and provide opportunities for emerging local musicians.
Everything from food and drink down to the stage will be provided by independent local businesses – with the bar supplied by Malton-based brewery Brass Castle.
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The festival has been established to be Covid safe, with open air stages and space for social distancing.
Tickets are now on sale and start at £5. For those travelling further afield, camping tickets are also available.
For more information and to book your tickets, please visit The Magpies Festival Website.