23 - 26 May 2025
23 - 26
May
2025
Timetable: Sessions
Whether you're thing is tunes or singing, English, Irish, Bal or Scandi prefer it fast or steady, your a regular to sessions or just starting out we are confident you will find something for you.

On this page, you will find the scheduled sessions we are aware of. Don't forget there's many more impromptu sessions around town, late into the night, or should we say into the early hours!

The key venues to find a session are :

Please note The Moongazing Hare Bar Sessions will be sessions, not playarounds or performances. Think of it as a chance to join in joyous tunes with friends and strangers. There will be no pressure on you to start tunes but if there is a particular tune you want to play but don’t want to start it, someone will help you out. There are stages within walking distance so we reserve the right to limit the number of drums etc if it gets too crazy! The sessions will be inside or outside the beer tent, depending on the weather!

Sessions for 2023

Jump to: Friday Saturday Sunday Monday

Click on the event name for more information.

Sessions on Friday 26th May 2023
WhenWhatWhereDescriptionPrice
15:00 to 18:00Welcome sessionIsland Park: Moon Gazing Hare (Bar)Join the Bradleys in a welcome session as you sample the various beverages at the new bar on island park. Bring your own instruments

With: The Bradleys (Band)

Donation
18:30 to 21:30Come All Ye Folk SessionIsland Park: Moon Gazing Hare (Bar)Bring your instruments and join in, in the bar in Island Park.

With: Rosie Butler Hall  (Musician)

Donation
19:00 to 22:00Singaround The AngelJoin our song hosts George and Mike in an evening session of songs with guest shanty singer Graeme Knights.

With: George Dale and Mike Gibson (Session Leads: Singers), Graeme Knights (Unaccompanied Singer)

Weekend tickets Only
19:00 to 24:00Irish Session at the Old Road Tavern Old Road TavernJoin the pub in Chippenham where you will find music sessions year-round, for the first of its festival Irish sessions. All welcome.

Free
20:00 to 23:30Friday Folk ClubThe Cause: The Cause CafeHave a song to bring? Come join the first of our welcoming Folk Club, hosted by Kitty and Derek Burgess with festival artists Sound Tradition.

With: Kitty Vernon & Derek Burgess (Duo), Sound Tradition (Band)

Donation

Sessions on Saturday 27th May 2023
WhenWhatWhereDescriptionPrice
10:00 to 11:30English Tune Practice SessionThe AngelJoin Spare Parts for our annual English Tune Practice Session. Please bring your own instruments.

With: Spare Parts (English trad on concertinas)

Weekend or Day tickets Only
12:00 to 14:00The Full English Brunch SessionThe Black HorseJoin Manny and his friends for two hours of English Tunes in the back bar of the Black Horse. Bring your own instruments.

With: Manny Grimsley (Musician)

Donation
12:00 to 24:00Irish Session at the Old Road Tavern Old Road TavernJoin the pub in Chippenham, where you will find music sessions year-round, for its festival Irish session. All welcome.

Free
15:30 to 17:00Ballads and Story SessionThe Cause: The Cause CafeBring a song, tell a story, and join Rosie Upton and John Row for a magical session of song and story. Contribute your voice or your ears.

With: Rosie Upton (solo), John Row (Storyteller)

Weekend or Day tickets Only
16:30 to 18:30Teatime tunes session The AngelJoin Sel and her friends for 2 hours of joyous tunes. Please bring your own instruments.

With: Sel Adamu

Donation
18:30 to 21:30Come all Ye Folk SessionIsland Park: Moon Gazing Hare (Bar)Bring your instruments and join in, in the bar in Island Park.

With: Rosie Butler Hall  (Musician)

Donation
19:15 to 22:00Shanty SessionThe AngelThe sun is well over the yardarm so come and raise your voices.

With: Portsmouth Shanty Men (Band), George Dale and Mike Gibson (Session Leads: Singers)

Weekend or Day tickets Only

Sessions on Sunday 28th May 2023
WhenWhatWhereDescriptionPrice
10:00 to 12:00Sunday Morning Sing Angel Hotel : Angel AtriumA long held tradition at the festival. Come and channel Sankey and Moody and raise your voices!

Donation
10:00 to 11:30English Tune Practice SessionThe AngelWith: Spare Parts (English trad on concertinas)Donation
12:00 to 24:00Irish Session at the Old Road Tavern Old Road TavernJoin the pub in Chippenham, where you will find music sessions year-round, for its festival Irish session. All welcome.

Free
14:00 to 16:00The Full Irish Brunch sessionThe Black HorseJoin Joska and Luke for two hours of Irish Tunes in the back bar of the Black Horse. Bring your own instruments.

With: Irishish (Celtic music)

Donation
16:30 to 18:30Tea Time TunesThe AngelWith: Abbey Thomas (solo), Conor Reynolds (Folk)Donation
18:30 to 21:30Come All Ye Folk SessionIsland Park: Moon Gazing Hare (Bar)Bring your instruments and join in, in the bar in Island Park.

With: Sel Adamu

Donation
20:00 to 23:30Sunday Folk ClubThe Cause: The Cause CafeHave a song to bring? Come join a welcoming Folk Club, hosted by Kitty and Derek Burgess with festival artists John and Di Cullen.

With: Kitty Vernon & Derek Burgess (Duo), John and Di Cullen (Duo)

Donation
20:00 to 23:00French music and dance sessionOld Road Tavern BarnFrench session - Come along and join in playing French folk dance music. There's a chance to dance as well.

Free

Sessions on Monday 29th May 2023
WhenWhatWhereDescriptionPrice
10:00 to 11:30English Tune Practice SessionThe AngelWith: Spare Parts (English trad on concertinas)Donation
12:00 to 24:00Irish Session at the Old Road Tavern Old Road TavernJoin the pub in Chippenham where you will find Irish sessions year-round for its festival Irish session. All welcome

Free
13:30 to 15:30Come All Ye Folk SessionIsland Park: Moon Gazing Hare (Bar)Bring your instruments and join in, in the bar in Island Park.

With: The Bradleys (Band)

Donation
14:00 to 16:00The Full Continental Brunch SessionThe Black HorseJoin Gill and Alistair for two hours of European Tunes in the back bar of the Black Horse. Bring your own instruments

With: Confluence  (Duo)

Donation
15:30 to 17:00Ballad SessionThe Cause: The Cause CafeWith: Rosie Upton (solo)Donation
16:30 to 18:30Tea Time TunesThe AngelCome and join in or sit back and listen and see what a sense of community the folk world is.

With: Manny Grimsley (Musician)

Donation
17:15 to 19:30Farewell Folk ClubThe Cause: The Cause CafeHave a song to bring? Come join a welcoming Folk Club, hosted by Kitty and Derek Burgess with festival artists Rosie Upton and Sue Watson.

With: Kitty Vernon & Derek Burgess (Duo), Rosie Upton (solo), Sue Watson (solo)

Donation