Countdown to Buxton’s Big Session Festival

Following its sold-out success last year, The Big Session Festival is back in Buxton this bank holiday weekend, for an extended four days, opening on Friday 28 April and running through to May Day.

Hosted by the Oysterband in the beautiful spa town of Buxton, the gateway to the glorious Peak District, join a sparkling selection of musicians and welcome in May at the first folk festival of the summer! Weekend tickets have now sold out, but there are still plenty of events to enjoy including: free entry to the Big Session Beer Festival, where music sessions will take place throughout the weekend and concerts at the Opera House and Pavilion Arts Centre, together with walks in the fresh Buxton air!

The Big Session line-up 2017 will once again feature the cream of English folk music with the Oysterband and special guests Eliza Carthy & Saul Rose, Blackbeard’s Tea Party, The Hut People, supported by Ray Copper and Nancy Kerr & the Sweet Visitor Band, with support from Jess Morgan. Staged within the glorious setting of the Pavilion Gardens at the exquisite Edwardian Buxton Opera House, its contemporary sister venue Pavilion Arts Centre and the Big Festival tent, the event has attracted visitors from all over the UK and overseas…

There is free entry at the Big Session beer festival held at the Pavilion Garden’s Marquee with around 30 draft beers to try. If beer isn’t your thing a gin and Pimm’s garden and a selection of wine is also available! Music sessions from festival artists include the Oysterband and Eliza Carthy, taking place at the beer festival throughout the weekend. The Hut People will bring everyone together for a Saturday afternoon percussive workshop linked to their music, with various instruments, for festival goers to pick up and join in!

Two walks are planned and are free for all. The Sunday Stroll will meet outside the front of the Opera House, to leave at 10.30am and venture through Grin Low woods and up to Soloman’s Temple (once there the Commoners Choir will sing in the open air). On May Day there’s a walk along Cowlow Lane, led by Oysterband’s John Jones. Meet at the Buxton train station to catch the 9.27am to Dove Holes. Following arrival at the station the walk will depart at 9.45am to Cowlow.

To entertain those travelling to the festival by train (on Saturday 29 April), the dedicated ‘Folk Train’ will leave at 11.49, from Manchester Piccadilly, arriving just in time for the afternoon workshop and evening concerts. Buxton’s own Fuzzy Felt World will entertain passengers all the way with covers inspired by the 60s & 70s folk revivalist musicians such as Bob Dylan.

For tickets for the Big Session Festival or for more information please contact Buxton Opera House box office on 01298 72190 or visit www.buxtonnoperahouse.org.uk

Cold Spring Farm is the preferred campsite for the weekend, located at Buxton’s Longhill (SK17 6SS), for bookings telephone: 01298 22762

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