We will be hosting a number of sessions to give folk every opportunity to take part in the festival, share a song, a tune, a poem and just have a whale of a time. We have some brilliant hosts to keep the kettle boiling with a variety of styles and features.

We will update this section of the site nearer the festival.

Carolyn Francis:

Lakeland Fiddler Carolyn Francis is renowned for her research, performance and teaching of Cumbrian fiddle and border bagpipe tunes. Over the past 25 years she has made a career of producing a living, inclusive, culture of traditional music rooted in Cumbria, in particular with Striding Edge band and The Lakeland Fiddlers. She is a prolific tune writer; In 2023 her composition, “Cissy Middleton”, was published by Faber in “Tunes from the Women”, a compilation edited by Kathryn Tickell. She will be leading a session on traditional Cumbrian folk tunes.

Shanty Lads:

This local group of enthusiastic singers formed during Covid with a core of individuals who had basically done little previous singing. Over the past 4 years the crew have come along leaps and bounds with their confidence and bring a wide breadth of songs and voices to any gathering. The Shanty Lads encourage any and all to join in and have a go at chorus’s so bring along your voice and join in the pure joy of singing for singing’s sake!

Keith Fitton:

Keith is a founding member of Fitton’s Freakers Jugband, a combo that achieved near legendary fame within folk circles in the early seventies. Since then he has played in various folk and blues bands, led singalongs and generally rolled in the magic musical ride of life. Seventeen years ago Keith lost the use of his right arm/hand in a serious motorcycle accident but still plays lead guitar in a number of groups. To lead this session Keith will be joined by Cathy and Matt playing as the Returning Leopards. All instruments are welcome. Come and bring a song, a tune, a story, or just your ears and join in this, the opening session of Cumberlandia.

Jane Hartwell:

Join us for some traditional singing .

We are hoping to raise the roof with some chorus songs. No theme just bring along a song or two and let us raise our voices.

Ryan Wood:

Ryan has been hosting folk sessions in interesting nooks and curious places for over five years. He and his session group, Folk Cumbria, have engineered sessions in barns, bothies, viking longhouses, castles and festivals. 

Ryan's projects include 'Evans and Wood', 'The Mowdies' and 'Herdus'. The regular Folk Cumbria Sessions at the Moorforge longhouse have become a local institution, and don't miss the chance to catch them at this year's Kendal Calling.

Expect an easy-going style that doesn't stand on genre or ceremony but enjoys a good tune wherever it is to be found. 

Brigid and Brian

A warm welcome awaits and we invite you to join us for an opportunity to create some magic. It's not about the performance of an open mic and certainly no judgement about any contribution. We anticipate that traditional songs and tunes will be at the heart of our time together. It's about giving things a go, taking some risks, and enjoying ourselves, whatever your standard. Hope to see you there. 

Terry Howarth and Bob Johnston:

We’ll be kicking the day off with some nice and steady traditional tunes.

Hopefully something for everyone with a range of Jigs, Reels, Hornpipes, Waltzes and more.

All acoustic instruments are welcome - it will be lovely to see you there.