No one in Harwich has stopped talking about Patrick and Miguel since they performed here several years ago. And so for 2017 we are delighted that they are able to […]
Festival Team
The Rogues Shanty Chorus
The Rogues Shanty Chorus hail from Lowestoft and perform, revive and revitalise the music and heritage that the prominent industries of the town and its workers created. The group sing working songs ranging from the […]
Tom Lewis
A charismatic and popular singer and musician, Tom has written a number of sea songs and shanties that many erroneously believe to be traditional. In addition to his own material, […]
Capella
If ever two voices were meant to go together it must be those of Tony and Lesley Petty, whose amazing two part a cappella harmony singing has been enchanting audiences […]
Les Corsaires de la Vesdre
Our first group from Belgium, Corsaires de la Vesdre are named after the River where they live, close to the borders with Germany and Holland. Their aim is to share […]
Derek Gifford
This will be Derek’s second visit to Harwich International Shanty Festival. Last time he came as part of the trio “Three Sheets to the Wind”, but in 2016 he appears […]
Friggitt
From that well know seafaring county of Wiltshire, Friggitt have been performing maritime songs together since 2007. They entertain with a range of instruments and have appeared at a variety […]
Kernow Buoys
Back to entertain us again, Gideon and Nigel will be making the long trek from the West Country to sing songs of the sea, both Cornish and otherwise. Kernow Buoys […]
Roaring Trowmen
Roaring Trowmen were a huge success at last year’s Harwich Shanty Festival and have been making waves at other festivals and events throughout the U.K. so we had to have […]
Tidens Brus
Our first group from Finland, Tidens Brus in fact hail from the Aland Islands, between Finland and Sweden. Roughly translated “Aland” means “Land of Water” so it is hardly surprising […]
Vagrants Crew
When Vagrants Crew first attended the festival they were an instant hit so we knew we would have to have them back. Their music is lively and their enthusiasm and […]
Overheard
Peter Everson “Most enjoyable weekend and a very impressive turn of speed on Saturday evening preparing the cinema for the stage show.” Pamela Walsh “Thank you for organising such […]
Billy Teare & Kathleen O’Sullivan
Billy & Kathleen are returning after an absence of a few years in order to enchant further audiences with amazing stories and to deliver a variety of workshops connected to our […]
Enkhuizen 4+1
From Enkhuizen in the Netherlands these five singers perform mainly Dutch and English Shanties, mostly acapella but occasionally accompanied by guitar, melodeon, concertina and bones. One of their members, Hans Weehuizen, […]
Hard Pressed
Three voices (Liz Randall, Roger Resch and Derek Seed) sing all manner of sea songs to accordion, whistle, concertina & autoharp, with plenty of choruses. At the Harwich Shanty Festival […]
Jim Radford
Fresh from his triumphs at the Albert Hall for Remembrance Services, Jim, who is a regular at the Festival, will be hosting a special show with wartime reminiscences, interspersed with […]
Kaap Hoorn
Kaap Hoorn are old friends of ours and we are very pleased to be able to welcome them to the Harwich International Shanty Festival for the first time. 2015 sees them […]
Keith Kendrick
We are very pleased that Keith has been able to step into the breach and help us out at such short notice, due to Patrick Denain’s illness. Keith has of […]
London Lubbers
Trapped in the capital, far from the sea, the London Lubbers inflict their love of shanties, sea-songs and questionable humour upon local folk clubs. A shifting (and somewhat shifty) crew, […]
Press Gang
All the way from St. Austell and keen to preserve the heritage of their native county, Press Gang sing tales of Cornwall and the sea with humour, harmonies and fun. Apart from […]
Riggerloftets
Our first group from Norway! And we are very pleased to welcome Riggerloftets to the old town of Harwich. They come from the oldest town in Norway and sing both […]
Shadows in the Shade
Jed Stone and Des Tighe are well known around the folk scene in their Suffolk homeland, but have also travelled extensively to venues around the British Isles and further abroad. […]
Apart from the music …
Also happening during the festival – Pirates, Soldiers, Street Theatre, Barge Cruises, Beer, Workshops, Music Trains, Concerts, Guided Tours and Music Sessions See the Programme for more details. See also […]
Blakeney Old Wild Rovers
A Shanty and Folk band from the North Norfolk coast, the Old Wild Rovers started life some years ago over a few pints in a local pub. Since then they […]
John Conolly
John Conolly found folk music, like a lot of people of his age at that time, through the skiffle route. He is another artist whose songs have been so […]
Gaye Anthony
Our first Shanty singer from Scotland, Gaye has sung on schooners, barges and in castles and has performed in concerts and festivals throughout the U.K., Brittany, Poland and the […]
Kate Worsley
Kate Worsley is a local author whose first novel was published earlier this year. The action in the novel is centred around the old town of Harwich and together with Matthew […]
Roy Mette
Featuring original songs about the Golden Age of Piracy Roy Mette and Triangle are collectively known as ‘Captain Morgan’s Rum Do’. Their songs feature murder, death, plunder and rum in tales […]
Karen and Colin Cater
Also known as principals of the visual arts company, Hedingham Fair, Karen and Colin make a rare musical appearance at Harwich this year. As well as being one of the Folk […]
Shanticleer
Colchester based Shanticleer have been singing together for about two years. They focus on sea songs that give them the opportunity sing in in a wide range of acapella harmonies.
Crossjack
Crossjack are from Oldenburg in Germany and pride themselves on singing Shanties in the traditional manner as close as possible to the way they would have been sung on board […]
Hard Pressed
In the 18 months since their formation Hard Pressed has guested at Folk Clubs across the South East of England and started to make their mark in the International Maritime […]
Nelson’s Shantymen
Based at Burnham Thorpe, birthplace of Lord Nelson, theirs was an obvious choice of name. A diverse group of enthusiasts, they are united by their love of singing and desire to […]
Shadows in the Shade
Jed Stone and Des Tighe are well known around the folk scene in their Suffolk homeland, but have also travelled extensively to venues around the British Isles and further abroad. […]
Pete Stockwell
A stalwart supporter of the festival we look forward to welcoming Pete for another year. His love of shanties, sea songs and all things nautical shine through all his performances. […]
Malcolm Ward
Another regular at this festival and others, Malcolm has a melodious voice, plays sensitive concertina and together with partner in crime, Pete Stockwell, will be entertaining audiences throughout Harwich.
Hooks and Crookes
Hooks and Crookes were formed in 2004 to celebrate the Tall Ships Race coming to their home town of Waterford in July 2005. They had so much fun back then […]
La Bouline
Back by popular demand, this talented and entertaining group of singers and musicians made an enormous impression when they visited our festival two years ago. La Bouline are based in […]
Quidnunc
Kerry & Mandy Hearn with Stuart Pendrill are Quidnunc. They play and sing a wide range of maritime songs, both traditional and self penned. Veterans of many other clubs and festivals, […]
Nine Tenths Below
Formed just two years ago, this group already have an impressive list of performances and a C.D. to boot. Adopted almost immediately by the Titanic Brewery of Stoke on Trent, […]
Paul Sirman
With a wide repertoire of songs, Paul is always one of our most popular performers at Harwich. He has toured extensively on both the maritime and folk scene and is […]
Sea shanty festival draws the crowds – 10th October 2010
SEA dogs and sailors were in fine voice as a port town got back to its maritime roots. The Harwich Sea Shanty Festival entertained bumper crowds with a packed programme […]