Festival Groups
Take a look at who will be performing at the Falmouth International Sea Shanty Festival in 2026!
We’re welcoming groups from across the UK as well as overseas performers travelling from France, Ireland, Canada, the Netherlands and beyond to be part of the festival. With performances from over 80 groups across multiple venues, Falmouth will be filled with songs of the sea for our three-day festival.
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4Thought
4Thought is a dynamic saxophone quartet from the Falmouth and Helston areas, bringing energy and versatility to every performance. With seven years together, they’ve mastered an eclectic repertoire spanning swing, jazz, blues, pop, rock, and Great American Songbook classics.
For the Sea Shanty Festival, 4Thought will showcase specially arranged shanties and Cornish traditional songs including ‘This is my Cornwall’ – and they’re happy to take requests!
Regular performers at Princess Pavilion and festival favourites at events like Stithians Show and Healeys Cider Festival, the quartet also support their local community through performances for schools and community organisations. They’re proud to collect for RNLI and Cornwall Air Ambulance at their shows.
ACapella Moonshine
Acapella Moonshine are Falmouth’s premier female shanty group – the original and the best! Since their first visit to Falmouth Sea Shanty Festival in 2014, they’ve made it their home festival, returning year after year to what they call “the biggest and best.”
For Acapella Moonshine, there’s nothing quite like seeing Falmouth come alive with music, laughter and camaraderie – hearing shanties and songs of the sea flowing from every doorway, window and street corner. They’re in awe of the hard work and dedication that goes into creating this magical weekend.
The group brings powerful harmonies and infectious energy to traditional sea shanties, celebrating the maritime heritage that runs through Cornwall’s veins.
Aggie Boys Choir
Aggie Boys Choir are a loosely formed, rag-tag bunch of young upstarts from across Cornwall with a deep fondness for the sea and all things folky.
They’ve cut their teeth on the stages of Falmouth Sea Shanty Festival before taking their talents further afield – performing at Celtic festivals in Brittany and Ireland, turning their hand to theatre, delivering a TED Talk, and featuring on Channel 5’s Cornwall: A Year By The Sea and BBC 2’s Great Coastal Railway Journeys.
With outlandish banter, authentic original songs, and an irrepressible energy that’s uniquely Cornish, the Aggie Boys Choir will make you laugh, cry, and leave you demanding an encore. They’re proof that the best shanty groups are born from salt air, good mates, and a shared love of the sea.
Armstrong’s Patent
Armstrong’s Patent are a five-piece ensemble who bring sea songs and shanties to life with warmth, humour and unmistakable camaraderie. Their repertoire tells stories of ships, fishing, the sea, and the families waiting in port for their loved ones’ safe return.
Known for their narrative storytelling and rousing sing-along choruses, Armstrong’s Patent make traditional maritime music wonderfully accessible. The strong bond between these performers shines through every performance – they’re genuinely proud of each other and what they create together.
Seasoned international travellers, the group tours across Europe and beyond, sharing their love of folk and sea songs from Norway to the USA. Back home in the Netherlands, they co-organize the International Folk & Seasongs Festival “Bie Daip” in Appingedam – a beloved 24-year tradition bringing together around 30 groups each August.
Back Beach Boyz
Back Beach Boyz have been putting smiles on faces for over 12 years! Hailing from Teignmouth, this lively Devon crew bring energy, originality and Devonian charm to every stage they step on.
Since forming in 2013, they’ve made waves at festivals across the UK and beyond – appearing on BBC TV singing their own compositions and performing at iconic venues including Exeter Cathedral, the National Maritime Museum Cornwall, and Germany’s international Vegesack Maritime Festival.
With a strong catalogue of original songs alongside traditional maritime folk and sea shanties, the Back Beach Boyz serve everything up with a twist and a whole lot of heart. Their fun-loving approach shines through in their albums: Good Libations (2019), Captain Baarman’s Dog (2024), and Captain Jack Spratt (2024) – with many tracks penned by band members themselves.
Baldrick’s Plan
Baldrick’s Plan – Steve, Jinks and Helen – are a West Cornwall trio who bring “lovely harmonies” (as they’re often told!) to an interesting and varied selection of sea songs, all performed a cappella.
Over the years, this dedicated trio have travelled far and wide sharing their music – from folk festivals, pubs and clubs across the UK to shanty festivals as far afield as North Germany and Great Yarmouth. But it’s Falmouth that holds a special place in their hearts.
This year marks their tenth appearance at Falmouth Sea Shanty Festival – a testament to their love for the event and the warm welcome they always receive. There’s something about Falmouth that keeps Baldrick’s Plan coming back for more, year after year.
Barnacle Buoys
The Barnacle Buoys hail from Clevedon, North Somerset, though they range far and wide in their mission to enjoy great singing, raise funds for charity, and sample the regional grog along the way. Entertainment comes as standard!
With 12 years of experience under their belts, the ‘Barnies’ love singing a wide range of shanties and songs of the sea – old and new, popular and sometimes delightfully unusual. They pride themselves on always bringing something fresh to Falmouth, so keep a sharp watch for surprises.
Year after year, it’s Falmouth Sea Shanty Festival that brings this crew together to share treasured moments of music, camaraderie and maritime tradition. For the Barnacle Buoys, this festival is more than just another port of call – it’s a homecoming.
Barrel Seagals
Barrel Seagals are a vibrant all-female shanty group from Bude, bringing light-hearted humour, energy and standout performances to every stage. Their repertoire reimagines traditional sea shanties through a female perspective, alongside original material inspired by Cornish legends – giving them a distinctive voice in the shanty world.
In just a few short years, their growing reputation has seen them hold their own amongst seasoned crews at prestigious festivals across the UK, building quite the following along the way. Expect songs that celebrate the power of women, the sea and the pure joy of shanty singing. The Barrel Seagals are looking forward to meeting old friends, making new ones, and sharing the magic of Falmouth Sea Shanty Festival with you all.
Barrett’s Privateers
Barrett’s Privateers formed in 2019, born from a shared love of a cappella singing in local pubs on the Cornish side of the beautiful Tamar Valley. From the deep, resonating notes of their father and son bass duo to the soaring highs of the girls, their broad, rich harmonies have delighted audiences throughout Cornwall and well beyond.
They take each song and make it their own, with every voice finding a way to complement its neighbour – creating performances that are powerful, harmonious and hugely entertaining.
Singing sea songs, shanties, traditional folk, Cornish and mining songs, Barrett’s Privateers have been honoured to perform at an impressive range of events including the Interceltique Festival in Lorient, Royal Cornwall Show, Carnglaze Caverns, Rock Oyster, and the prestigious Canterbury Festival of Music and Fine Arts.
Bow Movement
Bow Movement – your mum’s favourite band! Hailing originally from the Gulf of Aden and washed ashore in Kennford, Devon in 2020, Bow Movement was forged from isolation, desperation and a shared love of attention.
Dubbed the “Take That of the shanty world” (by one overly generous aunt), they blend tight harmonies, offbeat instrumentation and songs that veer gloriously off the traditional shanty path. With charm, cheekbones and maritime-themed madness, Bow Movement deliver shows as unforgettable as a rogue wave to the face.
So brace yourself… and enjoy a Bow Movement.
Brise-Glace
Brise-Glace are a spirited quartet from the shores of the St. Lawrence River, blending Breton and French-Canadian maritime traditions into something truly special. Two Bretons, two Québécois – one shared passion for the sea.
Their powerful harmonies, driving rhythms and infectious foot-tapping turn every stage into a voyage, mixing traditional sea shanties with Celtic and Canadian folk, brought to life with guitars, banjo, accordion and four commanding voices.
For over a decade, Brise-Glace have crossed oceans and cultures, performing at festivals across Canada, the USA and Europe – and we’re thrilled to welcome them to Falmouth’s shores.
Bryher’s Boys
Bryher’s Boys have been delighting audiences at home and abroad since 2017, blending Cornish songs and sea shanties in their trademark “free harmony” style – meaning no two performances ever sound quite the same!
With over 500 gigs under their belts – from stadiums to sand dunes, pubs to poop decks, warships to weddings – they’ve carried the St Piran’s Flag to the Festival Interceltique in Lorient, Yn Chruinnaght on the Isle of Man, and the Tall Ships in Lithuania. Their music has reached millions through Rick Stein’s hit TV show and on the BBC when the G7 nations visited Cornwall – for which they wrote a brand new sea shanty to welcome them.
When you see Bryher’s Boys, be prepared to haul on ropes, climb ladders and sing your hearts out at the UK’s premier shanty festival!
C Birds
The C Birds are twelve women local to the Newquay area, united by their love of songs of the sea and their deep affection for the beautiful corner of Cornwall they’re lucky enough to call home.
Formed in 2022, they’ve already packed a lot in – promoting pasties, raising money for the RNLI, and singing at weddings, funerals, harbour quays, campsites and preaching pits alike.
Expect lush harmonies with a sprinkling of history, fresh twists on old favourites and some new crowd pleasers from this warm and welcoming crew. Cornwall’s sea shanty scene is all the richer for them.
C.A.S.K.
C.A.S.K. (Collings A cappella Shanty Krew) are a daughter and father duo from Teignmouth, singing new and old shanties, forebitters and a few special seasonings along the way.
Kathryn has sung since childhood, including 11 years with Wren Music performing and teaching, while shanties became a central part of her life when dad Steve joined the Back Beach Boyz. Her pure vocals refuse to be defined by genre – she simply sings the music she loves, weaving beautiful harmonies with Steve’s voice.
Arriving garbed as Mermaid and Pirate, C.A.S.K. bring a strikingly distinctive look to match their beautifully blended sound. The duo also fundraise for FNDFriends, a charity supporting those living with Functional Neurological Disorder – a condition Kathryn lives with herself.
Cadgwith Singers
Cadgwith Singers carry one of Cornwall’s most cherished musical traditions. For many generations, singers have gathered at the Cove Inn at Cadgwith – beginning with fishermen enjoying a well-earned drink and sing on Friday nights after a hard week at sea, and now welcoming a wide range of folk from near and far, singing traditional songs alongside a few modern favourites.
While Friday nights at the Cove continue in strength, the “away team” – originally led by Dave Muirhead and now enthusiastically led by Mike – can be found bringing that same authentic Cornish spirit to venues across the peninsula.
Cape Cornwall Singers
Cape Cornwall Singers were formed in 1997 with a mission to resurrect the singing traditions of West Cornwall in the local pubs around St Just, and to raise funds for local charities. Their distinctive sound quickly became familiar across the area, leading to guest appearances at the international Tall Ships concert in Falmouth and the Cornish Gorsedd.
Since then their support base has grown steadily, with international tours taking them to Ireland, Brittany, Wales and the Kernewek Lowender festival in South Australia. Much of their success is owed to singer-songwriter Harry Glasson, whose evocative songs about Cornwall, its people and its heritage sit at the heart of their repertoire.
Cape Cornwall Singers are ordinary people with ordinary lives – who sing with extraordinary passion for the enduring traditions and beauty of their homeland.
Catch Of The Day
Catch of the Day are an all-female shanty group from Salisbury, Wiltshire, singing mainly a cappella in three-part harmony with occasional accompaniment from guitar, penny whistle, ukulele and violin.
Their repertoire ranges from traditional sea shanties to songs with watery motifs, and they take pride in developing original music that shares the stories of women in seafaring communities. Whether tragic or humorous, their aim is simply to entertain.
Returning for their third year at Falmouth, Catch of the Day have embraced the festival’s spirit wholeheartedly – taking the Beat Betty Challenge seriously in support of the RNLI fundraising that makes this festival so special.
Croche Dedans
Croche Dedans are a four-piece sea shanty group from Nantes, France, who have been lighting up stages on the western coast of France and beyond since 2010. With over 300 concerts under their belts, they bring traditional chants de marin and original compositions to life with infectious, foot-stomping energy.
Featuring accordion, banjo, guitar and four strong voices, Croche Dedans have a reputation for turning every stage into a voyage – drawing audiences in and making them part of the experience. Their contagious enthusiasm and festival spirit are simply impossible to resist.
AHOY!
Culdrose Military Wives Choir
Culdrose Military Wives Choir was founded in 2012, inspired by Gareth Malone’s The Choir, and was one of the earliest groups in what has grown into a network of 72 choirs and nearly 2,000 members across the UK and overseas. A registered charity, the Military Wives Choirs bring women with a military connection together to sing, share and support one another.
Based at Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose in Helston, the choir has featured on three Military Wives Choirs albums and performs an eclectic repertoire of contemporary pieces at venues across Cornwall – with the magical Minack Theatre a particular favourite.
The choir is led by Musical Director Taylor London, a recent Masters graduate from the Royal Northern College of Music and a military spouse herself.
Dockyard Dogs
Dockyard Dogs are the RNLI City of London Tower Station shanty band, formed in 2023 to raise funds for the lifesaving charity through maritime music. Based in London and working across the south-east region, they’ve quickly made their mark on the shanty scene.
A highlight came when they travelled to Rye Harbour to record the RNLI’s 200th anniversary shanty – a project filmed by ITV Meridian featuring six locations, a drone pilot and the Atlantic 85 lifeboat. The performance was broadcast on national television and shared across the country.
The Dogs keep sea songs alive with pub banter, plenty of chorus lines and pints in hand – and they even run their own podcast, Shantycast, blending maritime music, naval history and the joy of keeping these traditions going strong.
Du Hag Owr
Du Hag Owr have been a fixture on the shanty scene for over 15 years – and while three of them are getting old (their words!), they’ve been lucky to welcome some youth and enthusiasm in recent years to keep them on their toes.
Their humour remains intact, paired with traditional and modern shanties including their own original tributes to the RNLI and the Mylor Oystermen. Regular visitors to Falmouth Sea Shanty Festival, they’ve performed everywhere from the Minack Theatre to the Golden Hind, at festivals, weddings and any other excuse for a beer.
A career highlight came in 2021 when they were asked to perform for the 12 world leaders and their partners at the G7 Summit’s end-of-term barbecue on the beach at Carbis Bay – a unique experience with plenty of tales. But those tales are secret… just ask!
Dutch Uncle
Hans Weehuizen – known as “Dutch Uncle” – brings his popular How to Play Bones workshop to Falmouth International Sea Shanty Festival. Hans is an accomplished singer and multi-instrumentalist, playing one-row squeezebox and concertina alongside his speciality: the bones.
One of the oldest rhythm instruments, bones (or rattle-bones) were originally made from whalebone by sailors who had few instruments aboard ship. Today they’re crafted from wood, offering wonderful rhythmic possibilities that you’ll often hear at shanty festivals worldwide – from Mystic Seaport in America to festivals across Europe.
Hans’s workshop teaches you the first steps: how to hold the bones, create your first rhythms with music, and join the tradition of this distinctive maritime sound. All workshops are free of charge – check the festival programme for times.
For more information, visit: How to Play the Bones website or contact hweehuizen@freeler.nl
Falmouth Shout
Falmouth Shout hold a special place in the heart of this festival – they’re the founders of the Falmouth International Sea Shanty Festival itself, bringing this beloved weekend to life and growing it into the celebration it is today.
This mixed group of friends simply enjoy a song and a drink whilst raising funds for two vital causes: the RNLI and Cornwall Air Ambulance. What started as mates singing together has become something much bigger – a festival that brings thousands of people to Falmouth’s shores each year to celebrate maritime music and community spirit.
Expect warmth, camaraderie and the genuine love of shanty singing that started it all.
Femmes de la Mer
Femmes de la Mer are a 14-strong group of women from across Cornwall, formed seven years ago by friends who attended Falmouth Sea Shanty Festival and were inspired to have a go themselves. Since then, they’ve evolved into one of the festival’s regular highlights.
The Femmes have graced the Minack Theatre, supported Ben Howard at The Eden Sessions and Brixton Academy, and featured in a BBC series. But their true passion lies in sharing stories of inspirational Cornish women and keeping traditional shanties and folk songs of the sea alive.
Alongside traditional favourites like Blood Red Roses and Haul Away Joe, the Femmes sing original songs telling the stories of three remarkable Cornish women – co-written by the group’s Musical Director, Claire Ingleheart.
Figurehead
Figurehead are an all female shanty group from North Cornwall who share a love of songs with a traditional, nautical and maritime flavour.
Over the years the personnel have changed but the love of singing in harmony together and entertaining people with foot stomping songs and shanties remains constant.
Currently the members are Cath, Rachel, Sharon and Gill. As well as singing at local events, they can be seen performing at a wide variety of festivals around the South West. In recent years they also enjoyed performing on Radio 5 Live Sunday breakfast and appearing on CBeebies!
Five Men Not Called Matt
Five Men Not Called Matt are a fun-loving set of singers formed many years ago, and they’ve become regulars at Falmouth Sea Shanty Festival ever since.
They perform a mix of traditional shanties and their own self-penned songs of the sea, bringing warmth, good humour and years of experience to every performance. The name says it all really – don’t expect them to take themselves too seriously, but do expect a good time.
If you spot five blokes singing shanties and none of them answers to Matt, you’ve found them.
Freddie’s Barnet
Freddie’s Barnet are an energetic and amusing folk trio formed in 2018, performing everything from traditional sea shanties to singalong classics – with the occasional original thrown in for good measure.
This lively crew love nothing better than singing old and new shanty songs, whether at open-air summer festivals by the sea or beside a cosy fireside on a winter’s eve. They travel the country from coast to coast, raising rousing songs, bringing smiles, and collecting a few pounds for the RNLI along the way.
Expect good company, infectious energy, plenty of laughs, and versatile repertoire that adapts beautifully to any setting – from summer sunshine to warming up a winter gathering.
Guillaume Yaouank
Guillaume Yaouank is a child of the Lorient coast, bringing the purest marine folk to audiences with his voice and guitar. His repertoire of salty sea songs carries an authenticity that transports listeners beyond the seas.
Guillaume has toured extensively across France and internationally – from England and Ireland to Luxembourg, Czech Republic, Hungary, Singapore and Vietnam – always seeking to connect closely with his audience. With five albums and collaborations with various sea-singing artists behind him, he brings a rich career’s worth of experience to every performance.
His interpretations of maritime texts and melodies capture something essential about the relationship between people and the sea – rooted, genuine, and deeply felt.
Hay Shantymen
Hay Shantymen sing traditional and modern songs of the sea with wit, warmth and gusto. Since forming in 2018, they’ve raised around £20,000 for their chosen charity, the RNLI – an impressive achievement that reflects both their dedication and their popularity.
They’ve performed at major events including Falmouth and Port Isaac Shanty Festivals, Latitude Festival, and of course every year at the Hay Literature Festival, attracting ever-increasing audiences each time.
Their arrangements and harmonies are stronger than ever, sung with a sense of lively friendship that engages audiences whether in intimate pubs or on large festival stages. There’s something genuinely infectious about this crew – the camaraderie is real, and it shows.
Hit and Miss
Hit and Miss have a lovely origin story – five school friends were overheard singing with the regular singers at the Blue Anchor Inn in Helston one spring evening in 2017. Someone suggested they form a proper group for the upcoming Helstonbury festival that August, and the rest is history.
Very well received at their debut, they returned to Helstonbury 2018 with a bit more rehearsal under their belts and have since gone from strength to strength, taking on many engagements across West Cornwall.
These friends thoroughly enjoy singing together and have built a strong reputation for their rich four-part harmonies. There’s something special about a group that came together so organically – and you can hear it in every performance.
Jen & Toby Kessell
Toby and Jen Kessell are a fresh new duo bringing together two of Cornwall’s finest traditional musicians. The husband-and-wife partnership draws on over 70 years of combined playing experience, gathered from performances across the UK and abroad.
Their travels have collected a rich treasury of tunes, songs and musical traditions, which they bring to life through a beautiful mix of Celtic music on viola, melodeons, guitar and vocals. Expect to hear a celebration of the best songs and tunes from Cornwall to Ireland and beyond – music that speaks of shared heritage, wild coastlines and the enduring power of folk tradition.
Karenza Lily-May
Karenza Lily-May is a young folk musician from Padstow who’s already experienced some remarkable opportunities. She’s supported The Oggymen at the Minack Theatre, performed in Will Keating’s Candlelit Tour, and appeared at Beautiful Days Festival, Hall for Cornwall, and the Cornwall Folk Festival. Since July 2024, she’s been part of the Cornwall Youth Folk Ensemble, which has expanded her musical journey considerably.
Her godfather Jason from the Fisherman’s Friends has influenced her accordion playing – an instrument deeply rooted in Padstow’s traditions. Karenza’s performances blend voice and guitar with the rhythmic drive of a stomp box, creating genuine foot-tapping energy.
She sings songs inspired by people, land and sea – some traditional, others her own compositions that reflect the spirit of Cornwall. Expect folk, sea shanties, contemporary songs, and a variety of Irish and Cornish accordion tunes, all delivered with youthful passion and genuine talent.
Kelp!
Kelp! are an eclectic crew of men from Swanage on the stunning Isle of Purbeck, brought together by their shared love of the sea. They’ve discovered deep joy in singing traditional sailors’ working songs – the sea shanties that once powered tall ships across the oceans.
With rich harmonies, infectious rhythm and the occasional guitar thrown in for good measure, Kelp! stir in contemporary shanties to create lively, heartfelt performances full of energy and character. Many of the group are sailors, lifeboat volunteers or long-time friends rooted in the local maritime community.
Through their music, they raise vital funds for Swanage RNLI and other worthy local causes – keeping the spirit of the sea alive while giving back to those who serve it.
Kessenyan
Kessenyan – meaning “harmony” in Cornish – are a young three-part vocal group from Redruth, Cornwall. Inspired by generations of singers before them, they specialise in English, Irish and Scottish folk songs and sea shanties.
The trio are becoming well known for putting their own unique spin on the songs they love – and enjoying every moment of it. With fresh arrangements, rich vocals and genuine love of tradition, they’re equally at home in a pub setting, intimate folk club or on the big stage.
Kessenyan’s aim is to develop that perfect blend of harmony and tradition within their songs – and to share their passion with the goal of getting more young people singing. They’re proof that these traditions are alive and well in the next generation.
Lemonaires
Lemonaires are a four-part a cappella group formed in Mylor Bridge for the anniversary of Mylor Harbour over 20 years ago – and they’re still going strong. They sing of Cornwall, fishing, farming and mining with the vigour you’d expect from proud Celtic men.
The group love entertaining and encourage crowd participation in their songs, blending Cornish folk songs with shanties from across the globe. Their lineup includes ex-merchant navy men, a fisherman who refuses to retire, and the Flushing Ferryman – voices steeped in genuine maritime experience.
For more than two decades, the Lemonaires have been entertaining across Cornwall at various events whilst raising money for local charities. There’s an authenticity here that can’t be faked – these are men who’ve lived the life they sing about.
Les Premiers De Bordee
Les Premiers De Bordée are a dashing “trio of four” from the Pays de Lorient in Brittany – young and dynamic fifty-somethings who’ve been rocked by the sea waves since birth.
Their repertoire navigates between traditional sea songs and contemporary compositions with a distinctly salty taste – a storm of dynamic and bold interpretations that capture all the colours of seafaring people. With personal texts alongside the classics, they bring both authenticity and fresh energy to the maritime music tradition.
Expect lively performances full of humour, passion and that unmistakable Breton spirit.
Les Souillés De Fond De Cale
Les Souillés de fond de cale – marinated songs, 35 years of foggy stopovers. Since 1991, this four-piece from Côtes d’Armor in Brittany has taken their maritime compositions from North to South and West to East – from Iceland to Italy, Canada to Estonia, passing through Poland, England, Ireland, Cornwall, Scotland, Germany, Switzerland, Belgium, the Netherlands, Madagascar and beyond.
With 1,380 concerts under their belts, Les Souillés have scoured the stages of maritime and folk festivals across Europe and the world. Coming from diverse musical backgrounds, the four members have created their own distinctive identity, filled with friendship and complicity.
Their repertoire mixes catchy songs and ballads, all perfumed with emotion, humour and laughter. These are songs that have been properly marinated – aged to perfection through decades of stopovers in ports across the globe.
Missin’ Tackle Shanty Crew
Missin’ Tackle Shanty Crew have a great origin story. Following the success of The Provident play at Brixham Theatre in 2015, a group of lads who’d had such fun singing together decided to form a shanty group – and Missin’ Tackle was born.
With varied backgrounds in singing, it’s the camaraderie that draws them together, along with their shared love of the sea and the different way of life in days gone by. They bring this passion to shanties and sea songs, including old favourites that everyone will want to sing along to.
The crew have enjoyed singing in Brixham and beyond for many local charities. Their free annual summer concerts down at the Old Fish Quay on Brixham Harbour, raising funds for local good causes, have become a beloved tradition and are always very well received.
Month’s Advance
Months Advance are Emily and Josh, bringing voices, fiddle, double bass and their distinctive take on maritime folksong. With shanties, ghost stories, forebitters and the odd bathtub holler too, they create a traditional shipboard feel that blends folk standards with striking originals.
The folk music they make for joy draws on many influences – local history and legend inspire songs rooted in Cornwall’s maritime traditions, ports and myths. As a sailor and a gig rower, their experiences of the Cornish coast infuse their music and lyrics with the timeless draw of the Celtic Sea.
Come and sing, dance, jump and get yourself pressed into service on the briny! This is maritime music that’s lived as well as loved.
Nankersey Male Choir
Nankersey Male Voice Choir was founded in January 1950 when 12 members of The Nankersey Glee Singers decided to pursue their interest in close harmony singing. (Nankersey is the old Cornish name for Flushing.)
The Choir now includes choristers from many towns and villages throughout Cornwall and has moved its base to Penryn Soccer Club on Kernick Road, while still adhering to its original motto: “To Sing For And Give Pleasure.”
In 2025 they celebrated their 75th anniversary with concerts throughout Cornwall alongside other Cornish Male Voice Choirs, raising several thousand pounds for charity. Three-quarters of a century of singing, community and giving back – a true Cornish institution.
Nelson’s Shantymen
Nelson’s Shantymen were established in Burnham Thorpe, the birthplace of England’s greatest seaman, Lord Horatio Nelson, and are now based at The Jolly Sailors in Brancaster Staithe on the North Norfolk coast.
This diverse group of enthusiasts are driven in equal measure by a love of singing and a desire to keep the tradition of authentic sea shanties alive. They’re a non-profit group dedicated to raising money for charitable causes – and to date they’ve raised an impressive £70,000 for good causes.
“England Expects That Every Man Will Do His Duty” – and Nelson’s Shantymen certainly do theirs, combining their passion for maritime music with genuine community spirit.
Nordet
Nordet have been performing traditional sea shanties and their own creations for more than 35 years, and they know exactly how to make people dance and sing in a festive spirit.
These five exuberant, joyful sailors have sailed from their home port of Lorient to New York, from Paimpol to Liverpool, from Hoorn to Douarnenez – and everywhere in between. They’ve become seasoned festival favourites across Europe and beyond.Nordet will embark the audience on a journey from dead calm seas to storms, from the middle of oceans to the docks, and from Breton taverns to Cornish pubs. Expect energy, authenticity and three-and-a-half decades of experience bringing maritime music to life.
Odds n Sods
Odds n Sods – the clue is in the name! This group of like-minded friends are just a bunch of pub singers who get great enjoyment from singing Cornish songs and shanties together. But there’s real substance behind the fun.
Odds n Sods only sing for charity, and to date they’ve raised an impressive £34,000 for local good causes. Their performances embody what shanty singing is all about: fun, laughter, song, beer and friendship. They genuinely love doing what they do – and audiences can tell.
Expect Cornish favourites, sea shanties, and the warmth of a crew who sing from the heart whilst enjoying the odd pint here and there.
Port of Bristol Shanty Crew
Port of Bristol Shanty Crew are a crew of mates who just love to sing traditional working shanties alongside more modern maritime songs and Bristol sea shanties. Their mantra says it all: “Fun and Friendship, Melody and Mirth.”
They sing anything with a nautical theme and a good tune or lyric, but their priority is simple – to enjoy themselves and entertain their audiences. They give their time for free to support festivals and charity fundraising events.
The crew support a range of charities including the RNLI, but their main focus is the excellent work of the Teenage Cancer Trust. Since forming three years ago, they’ve raised an extraordinary £50,000 – efforts that earned them a Pride of Britain Awards nomination on ITV.
They don’t claim to be Bristol’s best or Bristol’s brightest shanty crew. They just know that they “arrrrgh!”
Press Gang
Have you ever wanted to join (or even start!) a conga at a shanty festival? If the answer is YES, then look no further!
Press Gang have brought Cornish maritime-themed, jovial fun to stages near and far for well over a decade, and they like nothing more than a crowd up for a shantytastic party. Made up of seven singers and instrumentalists, they love injecting harmony, energy and foot-stomping joy into any and all shanties and Cornish folk songs.
Expect high energy, infectious enthusiasm and the kind of performance that gets everyone involved. These are the people who’ll have you dancing before you know it – resistance is futile!
Are you going to be part of that crowd at Falmouth International Sea Shanty Festival 2026?!
River Notes Choir
The River Notes are a mixed voice choir from Falmouth, formed in 2016. They support many community events and perform a wonderfully eclectic repertoire including rock, pop, show tunes, original songs composed by their Musical Director, and – of course – shanties.
The River Notes have performed in all sorts of locations (even once in a shop doorway!) and have an appetite for a good old time. They’re proud to be non-judgmental – a choir for one and all where new members are always warmly welcomed.
Expect joyful, inclusive singing that celebrates the pure pleasure of making music together. This is what community choirs are all about.
Rum & Shrub
Rum & Shrub have been performing together since 1990 – traditional singers from Cornwall with a worldwide reputation for lively singing of shanties, sea songs and folk songs.They’ve been delighted to appear at Falmouth International Sea Shanty Festival every year since its inception, forming part of the festival’s living history. Over the years they’ve performed throughout Europe, the east coast of the USA and across the UK, producing many recordings along the way.Sadly, this will be Rum & Shrub’s final year of singing together. After more than three decades of bringing joy to audiences across the world, they’re looking forward to one last Falmouth festival in the company of friends old and new.Come raise a glass to these legends and wish them fair winds for the journey ahead.
Scuttlebutt Shanty
Scuttlebutt Shanty are a talented, lively pirate crew who excel at getting audiences joining in – and that means everyone, from the youngest to the oldest. This is shanty singing at its most inclusive and fun.
Performing purely a cappella, they bring amazing harmonies to traditional sea shanties and maritime songs. Their energy is infectious, their enthusiasm genuine, and their ability to connect with a crowd is what shanty singing is all about.
Expect call-and-response choruses you can’t help but join, pirate spirit by the bucketload, and voices that blend beautifully. Scuttlebutt Shanty prove you don’t need instruments when you’ve got harmony, heart and a room full of willing singers.
Seaweed in the Fruit Locker
Seaweed in the Fruit Locker is an LGBTQIA+ sea shanty choir based in Plymouth, Devon. Since being formed by artist Rhys Morgan in 2022, the choir have used their lived experience to rework existing shanties and inspire new ones, continuing the tradition of these folk songs being adapted time and again through generations.
Drawing on queer histories and the language of Polari, they create songs that tell stories speaking to both historical and contemporary issues – bringing humour and pathos to jaunty tunes that resonate with everyone.
Seaweed in the Fruit Locker prove that sea shanties have always been about community, identity and the stories that need to be told. Fresh, vital and wonderfully inclusive.
IMAGE CREDIT: Dom Moore
Severn Whalers
Severn Whalers hail from the banks of the River Severn, north of Bristol, delivering shanties and maritime songs with warmth, humour and harmony – on stage, at quayside or in the pub.
This four-piece a cappella crew love to perform songs both traditional and modern, and you’ll often find them supporting the vibrant and often boisterous shanty scene in and around Bristol – as well as at festivals both near and far.Severn Whalers are delighted to be returning to Falmouth International Sea Shanty Festival in 2026. Expect rich harmonies, genuine camaraderie and the kind of performance that makes everyone feel welcome.
Shanty Bass
Shanty Bass are a group of ex-rugby players turned shanty singers from Falmouth. Bonded by years of battling in the mud, long away days and plenty of post-match singing, they now let their voices do the heavy lifting.
Swapping tackling in the driving rain for harmonies, Shanty Bass sing a mix of rousing sea shanties, traditional Cornish folk songs and the occasional surprise crossover. Originally formed for a wedding, they bring big voices, even bigger hearts, a bit of light-hearted mickey-taking, and toe-tapping tunes you’ll love.
Their repertoire includes less commonly heard shanties like Rosabella, Marching Inland, Boston Harbour, Shawneetown and One More Day, alongside crowd favourites like Rio Grande, Keep Haulin’ and Mingulay.
Front row power meets sea shanty passion – what’s not to love?
Shanty Sam Wheatley
Shanty Sam Wheatley – just a guy with no sleeves singing through life! Living in Truro and not a full-blooded Cornishman (pause for booing), Shanty Sam has been quite the menace to the shanty world, performing at festivals across the county and beyond for the last two years.
Adding insult to injury, he’s recently joined forces with the Stuns’ls to sing even more! He has a sizeable collection of roaring shanties, mellow tunes and his own silly little songs to entertain or make you cry. Whether or not he’s able to remember them – well, that’s another thing entirely!
Expect self-deprecating humour, genuine passion, and the kind of performance that proves you don’t need sleeves to deliver a good shanty.
Sheringham Shantymen
The Sheringham Shantymen have been singing hearty sea shanties and ocean-going tunes across the UK, Europe and the USA since 1990. Norfolk’s oldest boy-band have performed over 1,500 times, recorded seven albums, and shared countless music videos with audiences around the world.
They’re passionate supporters of the RNLI, raising funds for lifeboats – including helping to purchase one in Wicklow. In 2026, they celebrate their 36th anniversary with the ‘Sail of The Unexpected’ tour, and they’re delighted to be returning once again to Falmouth International Sea Shanty Festival.
Join them for a lively, fun-filled show of maritime tales, good company and maybe a mug or two of rum. Come aboard for a memorable voyage with The Sheringham Shantymen!
Short Drag Roger
Short Drag Roger have been singing together for 22 years, bringing shanties and sea songs to the landlocked people of Oxfordshire and far beyond. With their unique close harmonies, they’ve performed at shanty and folk festivals across the UK and Europe, as well as pubs, theatres, village shows and countless other venues closer to home.
They sing traditional shanties a cappella alongside more modern sea songs and a growing number of self-penned numbers. Short Drag Roger also run very popular workshops, sharing examples of shanties for the different types of work that would have been carried out aboard ship.
Two decades of experience, rich harmonies, and a genuine passion for keeping maritime music alive – even in the heart of landlocked England.
Simon The Shanty Harpist
Simon the Shanty Harpist brings sea shanties and songs to life on a Celtic harp – and yes, you read that right. His repertoire spans traditional shanties (Leave Her Johnny, Leave Her, Rosabella, Banks of Newfoundland), adapted folk songs (Hal & Toe, Brave Molly of Plymouth), and original nautical comedy including Croydon Bay, Sailor Johnny Is Afraid of Water, and Is She Seaworthy, Jack?
Simon’s act is first and foremost comedy – he aims to make people laugh. He comes complete with a PA system and lyrics sheets for singing along, and the whole setup (harp, amp and performer) can fit into any small corner, as has been proven at the many festivals he’s performed.
Sloop Groggy Dogs
Sloop Groggy Dogs are back with even more energy, audience participation and the devoted support of their Slooper Trooper and Sloopette fans. Following a mid-year mutiny, the Dogs are sailing under new direction with an extended repertoire and improved sound.
Based in the landlocked port of Bedford, they’ve had a busy year – holding a successful charity concert in their home waters, touring North Devon, and raising over £10,000 for the RNLI and other charities both local and national.
The Dogs are delighted to be returning to Falmouth International Sea Shanty Festival. Come and see them for an unforgettable shanty experience – this crew know how to throw a party.
Stuns’ls
Stuns’ls are an international performing shanty group with a passion for harmony, heritage and the country of Cornwall. Their name comes from the ‘studding sail’ – the extra outer sail used on square-rigged ships during fair weather – and they’re very proud to be ‘proper’ Cornish.
Led by Cornish Bard Tristan, Stuns’ls founded and still host the Mevagissey Shanty Festival, held each October. Having enjoyed performing both in the church and on the main stage last year, they’re looking forward to meeting – and making – friends once again ‘One and All’ in Falmouth.
Expect rich harmonies, deep-rooted Cornish pride, and performances that celebrate both maritime tradition and the spirit of Cornwall.
Sudden Squall
Sudden Squall are a dynamic trio from West Penwith, known for their entertaining and invigorating renditions of sea shanties and Cornish songs, old and new.
True to their name, they blow in with energy and leave audiences thoroughly swept up in their performance. Whether delivering rousing traditional shanties or breathing new life into Cornish folk songs, Sudden Squall bring genuine passion and West Cornwall spirit to every stage they grace.
Expect performances that capture the raw energy of a squall rolling in off the Atlantic – powerful, exhilarating, and impossible to ignore.
Suitcase Singers
The Suitcase Singers are a 50-strong community choir based in Penryn, led by Musical Director Claire Ingleheart. Being by the sea, they have a deep love for shanties and folk songs, old and new, with a rich repertoire of traditional Cornish songs and contemporary pieces that reflect the incredible stories of our Cornish heritage.
With 50 voices raised together, The Suitcase Singers bring powerful, uplifting performances that celebrate Cornwall’s maritime culture and community spirit. There’s something special about hearing a full choir tackle sea shanties – the sound is simply breathtaking.
Swinging the Lead
Swinging the Lead began singing shanties and maritime folk songs in 2010 and are based in North West Kent on the banks of the tidal River Thames. Since 2011, they’ve been the resident shanty singers on the famous tea clipper Cutty Sark at her dry berth in Greenwich – a prestigious role that speaks volumes about their quality.
Simon, Andy, Pete, Paul and TC have cemented their reputation in the worldwide sea shanty community, regularly performing at festivals across the UK and overseas. They bring their own unique style to traditional shanties and contemporary maritime songs – with an upbeat, foot-tapping twist that gets audiences moving.
Most of the members have sea-going experience including on tall ships, and all share a keen interest in the sea and maritime matters. This is shanty singing with genuine salt in its veins.
The 85ers
The 85ers are a shanty group made up of five active sea-going lifeboat crew from RNLI Portishead. Singing fully a cappella, they deliver a wide range of shanties with the authenticity that comes from genuinely serving at sea.
Formed during lockdown in 2021, they’ve been regulars at Falmouth ever since. The 85ers have enjoyed some extraordinary moments – singing for the King at the Coronation Concert at Windsor Castle in 2023, performing in the Great Hall at Stormont in Belfast, and at the Remembrance service in Paddington.
Yet for all these prestigious venues, they’ll tell you: you still can’t beat the crowds of Falmouth International Sea Shanty Festival!
The Chantry Buoys
The Chantry Buoys are a group of like-minded individuals from Colyton and the local area who love to get together and sing – at festivals, pubs, weddings, charity functions and anywhere else that welcomes a good shanty.
They raise money for local charities including the RNLI, Devon Air Ambulance, Biff’s Battle and the Seaton Hospital League of Friends Hospice at Home service. The Chantry Buoys are regulars at Falmouth and at shanty singalongs across their area.
Currently performing a cappella, they’d warmly welcome new members who play guitar or other instruments. This is community shanty singing at its heart – warm, inclusive and always for a good cause.
The DerryAirs
The DerryAirs are Downderry’s unique shanty band, formed in 2019. This seven-piece crew of singers and instrumentalists bring shanties, stories and original songs about Cornish history and myths to audiences across the region and beyond.
The DerryAirs sing traditional sea shanties alongside their own material, weaving tales of Cornwall’s maritime heritage, local legends and the characters who’ve shaped this corner of the world. With both voices and instruments, they create rich, layered performances that honour tradition while celebrating Cornwall’s living culture.
Regulars at Falmouth and festivals across Cornwall, The DerryAirs prove that Downderry punches well above its weight when it comes to shanty singing.
The Exmouth Shanty Men
Exmouth Shanty Men were formed in 2007 and are one of the longest established shanty crews in the south west. Famed for authentic and fun interpretations of shanties old and new, they’ve performed all around Britain and Europe – including overseas festivals in France, Belgium, Germany, Poland, Ireland and the Netherlands.
The Exmouth Shanty Men have recorded six albums and are proud two-time winners of the Stan Hugill Trophy, awarded for the most authentic shanties at the annual international shanty festival in Kraków. They’ve also appeared on BBC television and BBC Radio 3.
Nearly two decades of experience, international recognition, and a reputation for getting it right whilst having a brilliant time doing it. These are Devon’s shanty ambassadors.
The Following Seas
The Following Seas bring something quite distinctive to the shanty world. Ranging in age from their 20s through to their 70s, this group of highly skilled singers – many associated with King Charles the Martyr Church in central Falmouth – offer a uniquely sophisticated take on maritime music.
Their repertoire includes new arrangements of existing shanties that combine folk and jazz vibes, classical songs with nautical flavour (including solos), and ambitious harmony work that occasionally splits into as many as eight parts. Directed by Richard Bailey, who is also the church organist, they perform advanced arrangements by composers including Ralph Vaughan Williams and Hubert Parry alongside Bailey’s own work.
The Harry Browns of Bristol
The Harry Browns are the longest-serving shanty group from Bristol. Named after the old Harry Brown sand dredger, they began singing as a “super group” in the late 1980s and have since expanded their repertoire to include a wide range of songs of the sea – traditional, contemporary and self-penned.
They’ve toured Europe and sung at major festivals across the UK and abroad. In addition to researching and breathing life into many forgotten songs, the Harrys are renowned for their musical arrangements and harmonies, their humour and spontaneity.
Every Harry Browns performance is unique and engaging – no two shows are ever quite the same. You have been warned!
The Jolly Grogsters
The Jolly Grogsters – because the only reason you’d give your band a name like that is if you were trying to disguise the fact that you’re the biggest jerk-bags in the world. The Jolly Grogsters are no exception to this steadfast rule.
This Bristol-based folk-rock band blend sea-soaked shanties, raucous rhythms and heartfelt storytelling. With roots stretching from Ireland to the West Country, their music channels the wild spirit of the coast – full of grit, harmony and good humour.
Expect self-awareness, sea songs, and the kind of performance that doesn’t take itself too seriously whilst still delivering the goods. They’re Grogsters, they’re jolly, and they’re here to have a good time.
The Longest Johns
The Longest Johns formed in 2012 across a kitchen table in their native Bristol, bonding over a passion for traditional maritime folk music interwoven with wry humour, digital savvy and a flair for their own songwriting – ancient meets modern down by the docks.
Constant gigging over land and sea, coupled with a rare command of social media and a string of quality releases, saw them build a devoted fanbase at home and abroad. Their breakout moment came in 2021 when their rendition of Wellerman went viral on TikTok, sparking the “ShantyTok” craze that became a global resurgence in sea shanty music and led to them signing with Decca Records.
The Lower Deckers
The Lower Deckers are a fun, contemporary shanty group who hail from the landlocked counties of Shropshire and Herefordshire. Following their first gig raising money for the RNLI in 2017, this feel-good crew have gone from strength to strength and now fundraise for many local charities.
Expect traditional shanties, songs of the sea, folk classics and the odd surprise along the way. They’ve become festival favourites at Falmouth, Mevagissey, Weston-super-Mare and Port Isaac to name just a few.
The Lower Deckers promise plenty of hearty shanties and seafaring fun – proof that you don’t need to live by the sea to sing about it with genuine passion and joy.
The Molgoggers
The Molgoggers are an a cappella all-male group from Cobh on the south coast of Ireland, formed in 2012. They sing maritime songs, sea shanties and contemporary pieces, and they warmly welcome audience participation – because the best shanty singing happens when everyone joins in.
This will be The Molgoggers’ ninth visit to Falmouth, and they’ll tell you it’s the highlight of their year. With around 30 performances annually, they also grace stages at Sails and Sounds in Portaferry, Northern Ireland, and the Salty Dog stage at Electric Picnic.
Expect Irish warmth, rich harmonies and the kind of craic that only comes from a crew who genuinely love what they do. All aboard!
The Monkeyfists
The Monkeyfists are the UK’s most landlocked shanty band, based in Oxford and as far from the sea as you can possibly be. But don’t let geography fool you – these landlubbers harbour a genuine zest for sea songs, shanties and drinking songs.
Since 2014, The Monkeyfists have been banging out maritime music with enthusiasm and no small amount of skill. They prove that you don’t need salt water on your doorstep to sing about life at sea – you just need passion, good voices, and a love of a proper singalong.
As they say themselves: “As far from the sea as you can be, but the sea is where we’ll be…”
The Navy Larks
The Oggymen
The Oggymen delight in singing traditional and contemporary Cornish songs in three- and four-part harmony. The Cornish have a proud tradition of expressing their loves, beliefs, hopes and fears through music – songs that chart Cornwall’s past, the hardships of tin mining, the peril of the sea, or the lament of the Cousin Jack longing for home whilst working far away.
Growing up in Falmouth, The Oggymen heard these songs regularly. Fathers sang them in male voice choirs, friends sang them after working boat races, brothers sang them gig rowing, and everyone tried to sing them down the pub. In recent years, the songs of their fathers have been heard less – and collectively they lamented the loss of this bridge to Cornwall’s past.
The Oggymen exist to keep that bridge standing. These songs are part of Cornwall’s culture – connecting past to future, generation to generation.
The Orkney Sea Shanty Society
The Orkney Sea Shanty Society set sail from an archipelago off the northernmost tip of Scotland, and they’re excited to return to Falmouth in 2026 after their successful debut performance in 2025.
This 20-strong group of friends and family have sung both formally and informally together in Orkney’s thriving traditional music scene, bringing the distinctive sounds of the Northern Isles south to Cornwall. Expect a lively mixture of Scottish and Orcadian songs, dances, traditional fiddle tunes and folk stories alongside familiar shanty favourites.
There’s something magical about hearing music from the far north of Scotland in the heart of Cornwall – two seafaring communities, centuries of maritime heritage, one shared love of song.
The Orwellermen Sea Shanty Crew
The Orwellermen Sea Shanty Crew gather on the banks of Suffolk’s River Orwell, where the harmonious sound of shanties drifts out across the heritage harbour. Enter the Steamboat Tavern and the ranting and roaring becomes infectious – whether you’re an old sea dog with salt in your veins or a curious landlubber dipping your toes into maritime tunes for the first time, you can’t help but be swept along.
The Orwellermen are an open community group welcoming all comers to join them in traditional a cappella sea songs and shanties. Their performances are full of energy and will have you clapping, jigging and singing along before the ship has crossed the bar.
Having cycled 450 miles from east to west in 2025, raising over £5,000 for charity, they’re currently considering ways to make a media splash in 2026. Watch this space!
The Out Of Tunas
The Out Of Tunas rose like a phoenix from the ashes of the pandemic – a gentlemen’s club with a difference, now recording their own original songs. Sometimes described as “the bad boys of shanty” or “a drinking club with a shanty problem,” their performances are becoming legendary wherever they go.
These Tunas don’t do subtle. Expect full volume, full energy, and the kind of performance that makes you question everything you thought you knew about shanty singing. They’re irreverent, they’re original, and they absolutely do not take themselves seriously – which is precisely why audiences love them.
Fair warning: The Out Of Tunas will be playing through the speakers at full volume at Falmouth International Sea Shanty Festival. Consider yourselves warned… and invited.
The Perraners
The Perraners are a long-established and eclectic group from Perranporth, formed in 2000 after a singing workshop at Lowender Peran, Cornwall’s inter-Celtic festival. They sing Cornish songs and songs the Cornish love to sing, unaccompanied in four- and five-part harmony with a distinctive twist – the tune is mostly sung by their tenors, giving their performances a powerful and unique quality.
Led by Musical Director Ian Marshall, The Perraners rehearse at Seiner’s Pub, which overlooks the beach so closely it catches spray from the occasional sizeable wave. The name comes from the local saying “as drunk as a Perraner” – rather appropriate for a group that insists on meeting in a pub!
The Pirates of St Piran
The Pirates of St Piran are a rocky, rumbustious pirate band performing all over the West Country at festivals, pubs and pirate-themed events. They perform in their own unique style, dressed in full traditional pirate costume, and they’re a non-profit band – every penny they make from gigs and music sales goes to charity.
To date, they’ve raised over £100,000 for local charities including Children’s Hospice Southwest, the RNLI and Cornwall Air Ambulance Trust, along with many other good causes in their area.
The Pirates of St Piran are regulars at Falmouth International Sea Shanty Festival, Plymouth Pirate Weekend, Brixham Pirate Festival, Mevagissey Shanty Festival, The Lost Gardens of Heligan summer events and many more. Wherever they go, they bring energy, entertainment and serious fundraising power.
The Port Isaac Gulls
The Port Isaac Gulls love to sing and have become known for their eclectic repertoire from the 1950s to the present day, with an emphasis on harmony and entertainment. They also laugh and talk a lot and are partial to cake and the odd glass of wine (or two).
To be honest, they’ve never claimed to be a shanty group – but they do have a strong “Sea Section” following in the good old Port Isaac singing tradition. Expect shanties, Cornish songs and songs of the sea with a distinctly female slant, and they might even throw in a joke or two.
The Gulls like to say a word (or two!) for the gals in the “days of yore” who were left behind whilst their men sailed the high seas – women who they like to think got together to talk, eat cake, drink wine and sing a bit. Sound familiar?
The Portsmouth Shantymen
The Portsmouth Shantymen have been described as a “power harmony group” who specialise in sea songs – though if it’s a good song, they’ll give it a go anyway!
They’ve been in existence since 1978, when the Christchurch Festival unexpectedly found itself without a shanty crew, which almost certainly makes them the longest continually running shanty group in the UK. Since then they’ve performed at shanty festivals, folk festivals, on historic sailing ships including HMS Victory and HMS Warrior, clubs, theme events, book launches, schools, charity and promotional events, the Speaker’s House in the House of Commons, on television and countless other venues too numerous to mention.
They’ve performed all over the UK, the near continent and the USA – and over 45 years later, they’re still going strong!
The Rusty Tubs
The Rusty Tubs are a rowdy crew of shanty-singing Jack Tars – loud, rough and ready, with a punk attitude and a vintage style. As one of the country’s rowdiest shanty sides, they sing traditional sea shanties, songs of the sea, protest songs and folk songs, all on traditional themes: being at sea, working, drinking, shagging, not shagging, getting mistreated, fighting, tragedy, poverty and general skullduggery.
Audiences are invited to join in a celebration of maritime history and the timeless allure of the water. The Rusty Tubs bring a certain style to proceedings – just not a subtle one.
Get ready to hoist yer tankards! Drunken revelry is a certainty!
The Sea Gals
The Sea Gals are an all-female renegade crew hailing from Totnes in Devon. Set sail with them for a taste of traditional sea shanties and nautical numbers delivered with melodious harmonies and soaring a cappella vocals.
The Sea Gals will transport you on a voyage from taverns and harbours to the roaring waves – bringing energy, authenticity and the kind of performance that proves women have always belonged at sea, even if history didn’t always write them into the story.
A little bit pirate, quite a lot shanty, and thoroughly brilliant.
The Shantyjacs
The Shantyjacs are RNLI volunteers and fundraisers based in Mumbles, South Wales, who will travel anywhere to raise funds for charities – with all proceeds going to good causes. They’re proud supporters of the Mumbles lifeboat station and passionate about keeping maritime music alive.
The Shantyjacs love singing shanties, sea songs and their own original compositions, and they specialise in interactive song sessions with engaging audience participation. They want you to join in – because the best shanty singing happens when everyone’s voices come together.
Expect warmth, energy, and performances driven by genuine commitment to both the music and the causes they support. Share the fun of singing shanties and songs of the seas with them!
The Solent Shanty Buoys
The Solent Shanty Buoys are a group of friends who enjoy singing shanties alongside lesser known songs of the sea. They’re thoroughly enjoying being able to perform again at Falmouth, and they also love performing at birthday parties, sailing clubs, beer festivals and micro breweries… can’t think why!
The Buoys enjoy performing to a wide range of audiences and always encourage participation – because shanty singing is better when everyone joins in.
Their chosen charity is Wetwheels, which offers access to the water for disabled people with safe, barrier-free, enriching experiences whatever their situation. Through their performances, The Solent Shanty Buoys help ensure everyone can experience the joy of being on the water.
The Steepholmers
The Steepholmers formed in Weston-super-Mare in early summer 2018, with a little help from a certain popular video game with a nautical theme – seriously! What started as gaming fun became a genuine love of shanty singing.
They meet every Wednesday for rehearsal and perform a range of popular sea shanties and sea songs, always remaining keen to learn new ones. The Steepholmers perform for community groups, in pubs and bars, and at sea shanty festivals around the UK.
Every third Wednesday, they host their regular monthly ‘Shanty Night’ at Fork ‘n’ Ale in Weston-super-Mare with invited friends – proof that the best traditions can start in the most unexpected places.
The Wellington Wailers
The Wellington Wailers were formed in 2012 by a small group of like-minded ‘sea dogs’ from Shoreham-by-Sea who shared an interest in singing traditional shanties. Since then they’ve become ‘Sea Shanty Favourites’ in their native town, expanding their repertoire to include fore-bitters and some more bawdy favourites along the way.
The Wailers regularly fundraise for the RNLI, contributing over £11,000 to date. Their performances focus on humour and enjoyment, with a harmonious and rousing sound that fans adore.
Everyone is encouraged to join in with any mischief and shenanigans that the Wailers embark on – because the best shanty performances are the ones where the whole room gets involved!
Treizhadenn
Treizhadenn – meaning “Crossing” in English – are a Breton group from the Paris area, bringing together musicians on vocals, chromatic accordion, flutes, saxophone, bombardes, bass guitar and percussion. Formed 19 years ago, they’ve performed throughout France and abroad to Wales and Cornwall.
Their repertoire is almost exclusively composed of original group creations (both music and lyrics) dedicated to the sea, sailors and Brittany. Most pieces are dance tunes from different terroirs of Brittany and Celtic countries. They’ve recorded four CDs capturing their distinctive sound.
Treizhadenn bridge worlds – Parisian-based Bretons celebrating their Celtic roots, bringing the music and spirit of Brittany across the channel to Cornwall’s shores.
Treverva Male Choir
Treverva Male Voice Choir was formed by Edgar Kessell MBE in 1936 in the Cornish village of Treverva. The choir quickly grew in numbers and success, winning at international and regional competitions including Llangollen International Eisteddfod, top awards at Blackpool and South Wales, the Cornish Open Championships, and the coveted Cheltenham Gold Cup for most outstanding choir.
Now practicing at The Ord Statter Pavilion in Mylor Bridge, the choir appointed Robert Norman as Musical Director in 2023. Rob, who studied music at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, is Director of Music at Truro High School for Girls by day and leads the Oggymen folk group in his spare time.
Rob has brought joy to their singing and introduced new modern repertoire whilst retaining the choir’s trademark “Verva Sound” – honouring nearly 90 years of Cornish male voice tradition.
Truro Male Choir
Truro Male Voice Choir can trace their beginnings back to 1943, but in recent years they’ve taken a long hard look at themselves and transformed from a traditional male choir into a more modern and forward-looking organisation.
Their concert repertoire has changed accordingly – they now sing music from all periods and genres in French, German, Cornish and English. They also lead Shouts in local pubs and breweries, where the repertoire is full of Cornish songs and shanties, keeping that vital pub singing tradition alive.
Members are drawn from all walks of life, united by their enjoyment of entertaining through song. This is a choir honouring its past whilst embracing its future – proof that tradition and innovation can sing in perfect harmony.
Wareham Whalers
Wareham Whalers have been singing shanties for over 20 years and boast of attending Falmouth International Sea Shanty Festival since the second year – they’re delighted to be back in 2026.
Their main charity is the RNLI, and in recent years they’ve raised over £9,000 for the local lifeboat, regularly singing for lifeboat naming ceremonies at RNLI headquarters in Poole. This is shanty singing with genuine purpose.
The Whalers adopt the authentic style that sailors would have used nearly 200 years ago when working – no accompaniment, and where appropriate, the stresses that would have signalled a pull on the heavy ropes. This is how shanties were meant to sound: raw, rhythmic, and rooted in real labour.
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