The Wessex Folk Festival is pleased to announce some of the Acts that will be appearing at this years Festival on the Main stage in Hope Square Weymouth.
Man the Lifeboats
Man the Lifeboats
Get ready for an electrifying performance as Man the Lifeboats bring their high-energy folk-punk sound to the Wessex Folk Festival 2025! This dynamic band blends raucous melodies, foot-stomping rhythms, and heartfelt storytelling, creating a live experience that is both exhilarating and unforgettable.
With influences ranging from The Pogues and Bellowhead to Frank Turner, their music is packed with passion, humor, and anthemic choruses that will have you singing along in no time. Expect a mix of original songs and riotous folk-infused tunes that celebrate life, love, and everything in between.
Don’t miss Man the Lifeboats as they take to the stage—grab a drink, join the crowd, and let the music carry you away!
Martin Harley
For over two decades, Martin Harley has been captivating audiences around the world with his rich, roots-driven sound. Blending blues, slide guitar, and a deep connection to storytelling, his music has never felt more grounded. The Guardian described his style as “spellbinding,” and with eight albums under his belt—four recorded in the UK and four across the Atlantic in Texas and Nashville—his journey continues to evolve.
🎸 “Harley offers the listener a masterclass in taste, style, and roots blues.” – Guitarist Magazine
🎸 “No doubt that he is a slide guitar master. He is the business.” – Roots Magazine
🎸 “Spellbinding.” – The Guardian
🎸 “Quite simply a great live act.” – Time Out London
Steve Wilson and the Innocent Bystanders
Steve Wilson and The Innocent Bystanders are a five-piece band hailing from Weymouth in Dorset. Lead by singer-songwriter Steve Wilson, the band also features Simon Felton on bass/vocals, George Hall on guitar/vocals, Dave Hackett on drums/vocals and Lucy Hackett on Keyboards/Ukulele/Flute/vocals. Drawing on influences such as Nick Lowe, Ron Sexsmith and The Band, Steve’s songwriting, with its strong emphasis on melody, is an excellent platform to showcase the musicianship and vocal harmonies of The Innocent Bystanders. Steve Wilson and The Innocent Bystanders are a five-piece band hailing from Weymouth in Dorset. Lead by singer-songwriter Steve Wilson, the band also features Simon Felton on bass/vocals, George Hall on guitar/vocals, Dave Hackett on drums/vocals and Lucy Hackett on Keyboards/Ukulele/Flute/vocals. Drawing on influences such as Nick Lowe, Ron Sexsmith and The Band, Steve’s songwriting, with its strong emphasis on melody, is an excellent platform to showcase the musicianship and vocal harmonies of The Innocent Bystanders.
Jocelyn Pettit & Ellen Gira
Jocelyn Pettit & Ellen Gira are a dazzling fiddle and cello duo who joined forces in Glasgow in 2018, discovering a shared musical spark. With roots in both tradition and innovation, they blend genres to create performances that are rhythmic, textured, and full of soul. Their shows are a rich tapestry of dynamic fiddle-cello interplay, heartfelt vocal harmonies, and lively stepdance, featuring original tunes and high-energy sets from Scotland, Ireland, North America, and Scandinavia.
Praised by FolkWorld Magazine as “a dazzling duo,” Jocelyn & Ellen have toured across North America, the UK, and Europe. Their album All It Brings—winner of the 2024 Canadian Folk Music Award for Traditional Album of the Year—has been hailed by FolkWales as “the most joyous and uplifting album in the entire galaxy.”
More Main Stage Acts – You can see appearance times in the Festival Programme coming soon!