Folk music is enjoying a revival with younger audiences, and Lighthouse Poole has become one of the venues seeing growing interest in this trend.
Music programmer John Blakeley said there is much more to folk than the traditional image of fiddles and foot-stomping. He explained that in an age when mainstream pop songs can be written and produced by software, many people are gravitating towards something they see as more authentic.
While some new listeners are discovering folk through TikTok and online playlists, it is also bringing them into local clubs, festivals and touring venues. At Lighthouse, they have been welcomed into established audiences already supporting the music.
“Everyone finds their own way into it,” said John. “Folk music has ebbed and flowed in and out of fashion ever since the early rock ‘n’ rollers created skiffle music in the 1950s. There’s folk music for everyone – it’s a very broad church.”
The venue has a series of folk-leaning concerts lined up in the coming months. These include Spafford Campbell on 19 September, a duo signed to Peter Gabriel’s Real World Records, followed by a sold-out show from Fisherman’s Friends on 5 October.
On 15 October, Martin Simpson will perform, widely regarded as one of the finest acoustic and slide guitarists in England. Simon Fowler and Oscar Harrison of Ocean Colour Scene bring their show to Lighthouse on 18 October, while Ivor Novello Award-winner Scott Matthews appears on 23 October.
Steve Knightley, founding member of Show of Hands, will perform with his Winter Yards Band on 31 October. Rising artist Ellie Gowers makes her Poole debut on 7 November, and Moscow Drug Club return on 16 December.
In the new year, Hedera appear on 17 January and Irish traditional singer Daoirí Farrell performs on 28 March.
Lighthouse says the range of concerts demonstrates the breadth of the folk tradition and how it continues to adapt while drawing in new generations of listeners.
