Festival Groups

Take a look at who will be performing at the Falmouth International Sea Shanty Festival this year!

With performances from 70+ groups across various venues, Falmouth will be filled with songs of the sea at the three-day festival. There are groups from the UK as well as groups travelling from overseas to be part of the festival.

  • ACapella Moonshine

    ACapella Moonshine is an all –female shanty group living in and around Falmouth.

    We have been singing together for many years and, in 2013, were the first all-female group to appear at the Falmouth International Shanty Festival – inspiring other female groups to do the same!

    We are very proud to say that we are “multi–generational”; our line – up of ten lovely ladies spans all the ages from 20 somethings to 70 somethings, and all the decades in between, but what unites us is our love of singing rollicking, rousing shanties and telling the tales of our nautical heritage, often from the woman’s perspective.

    We sing a blend of shanties, Cornish songs and songs of the sea – many of which we “Moonshine” by adapting the locale and the gender to personalise the songs and set them in our beloved Cornwall. We also sing songs that are unique to us, written by ourselves or close friends to tell a personal story about our love for Cornwall and the sea.

    One of our favourite things is to meet other groups and sing along with them. There is no surer way to forget your woes and worries than by a hearty rendition of rumbustious sea shanties!!

    Facebook Page

  • Aggie Boys Choir

    The Aggie Boys Choir are your go to metamodern shanty ensemble, mixing traditional nautical folk with poetry, instrumentals and a benign attempt at comedy, the group are like none you shall see in Falmouth this year. The band has had many incarnations and were once described as a ‘Swiss army choir’. They have performed at Celtic festivals in Ireland and Brittany, turned their hand to a bit of theatre, managed a Ted Talk and featured on Channel 5’s Cornwall: A Year By The Sea.

    Formed ‘neath the low beams of a Goonbell cottage, St Agnes’ unique architecture was key in shaping the resonating tones of the choir. Originally meeting with no intention on public performance a bagus* was bonded, with none bothering to enquire whether ‘twas a sensible act or no. Sam Stephens, who writes the majority of the songs, was inspired to tread this new path after one too many pints at Perranporth shout over a decade ago. Within 12 months the Aggie Boys Choir were thrust into the limelight with their debut cover, Row Row Your Boat.

    Sam’s lyrics pay witty homage to the working class legacy of the region, whilst gently mocking outsiders interpretation of what is perhaps perceived as twee Celtic culture. Indeed pasties and jam, mine-stack and harbour, and of course the order of the cream, well it may well seem a postcard provincial novelty reduced to call and response to you and me, but for the choir, the line between humour and heritage is as clear as mizzle on the moor. If you asked them to explain their songs you may well hobble away, brain frazzled, wishing you hadn’t tread that particular cobbled path in the first instance. Forgive them for they know not what they shanty.

    *Kernewic for group of friends

    Aggie Boys Choir Facebook

  • All At Sea

    All At Sea are fourteen women from Salisbury, where five rivers meet to run to the sea. We love to sing shanties and songs of the sea, particularly those that tell stories from women’s point of view. Our repertoire includes the classic shanties that audiences love to sing along with, but  also sing original songs that we have written, or that have been written for us, which tell personal stories of women’s lives in and around the sea.

    Contact us via our  Facebook page – All at Sea

  • Armstrong’s Patent

    We are Armstrong’s Patent.

    Appingedam is our home port. Speaking of a harbour, our group, made up of 5 men and 1 woman, sing stories about ships, the sea, fishing and about family members waiting for their loved ones to return safely to the harbour!

    These shanties & seasongs come from all parts of the world and all have their own character.

    A Shanty often has a work rhythm. These songs are sung while working on the ships. The rhythm in the songs supports the work, which often has to be carried out under heavy circumstances.

    Armstrong’s Patent rehearses weekly under the guidance of an arranger. We try to renew our repertoire and keep the level high.

    We like to have fun and we have a strong bond with each other, which makes us proud of each other and proud of what we show and what we hear. We want our audience to enjoy our songs and that we can make the world a better place.

    Armstrong’s Patent travels each year to a number of countries in Europe, England, Germany, Norway and Belgium. That is enjoyment for us and above all a lot of singing and entertaining people. How beautiful can life be?

    Every year in August, the Bie Daip Foundation and Armstrong’s Patent organize the International Folk & Seasongs Festival “Bie Daip” and during these days around 30 Folk & Seasong groups can be admired. International, incredibly special groups and above all very accessible and super cozy. The International Folk & Seasonings Festival “Bie Daip” has been a name in Appingedam for more than 20 years and takes place in the center of Appingedam and around the

    Nicholas Church and pubs and bars.

    For more information visit Armstrong’s Patent Facebook Page

  • Back Beach Boyz

    Putting a smile on people’s faces for 11 years!
    Teignmouth’s Back Beach Boyz shanty & maritime folk crew are named after our famous “Back Beach” where everyone meets to watch the sunsets and socialise. Our Hawaiian shirts are inspired by the 60’s group the Beach Boys.
    The band was formed on the 1st of February 2013 and so 2024 sees us celebrate our 11 year anniversary!
    We believe in having fun whilst we are singing and we perform at suitable charity events for free – our 1st album, “Good Libations”, released in 2019, raised £1,000 for Macmillan. Our second CD “Captain Baarman’s Dog” was released in June 2024, along with an accompanying promotional video called “The Monk Of Lidwell Chapel’, which can be found on our You Tube channel. Our next CD, “Captain Jack Spratt” will be released soon. Many of the tracks on these 2 latest albums were written by several members of the band. We have had three new members join us at the start of 2024, so we are back up to our fighting strength!
    E-mail: info@backbeachboyz.co.uk

    Website: https://www.backbeachboyz.co.uk
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheBackBeachBoyz

    Instagram: backbeachboyz2022
    Twitter (X): @backbeachboyz
    YouTube: www.youtube.com/@BackBeachBoyz

    Bandcamp: https://backbeachboyz.bandcamp.com

    Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/back-beach-boyz

  • Baldrick’s Plan

    And then there were four. Helen Reynolds has joined Peter, Steve and Jinks in Baldrick’s Plan. This brings added interest and complexity to their wonderful harmonies, and recorder and violin to add to Peter’s guitar and mandolin when required.
    This Penzance based group had to miss last year’s festival to fit in a tour to Germany, but they’ll be back in fine a capella and accompanied form this year. Make sure you catch them at the festival and perhaps pick up a CD or two.

    Facebook Page

    Baldrick’s Plan Website

  • Barnacle Buoys

    The Barnacle Buoys is a group of a cappella sea shanty singers based in North Somerset.  We exist to enjoy our craft, entertain our audiences and raise money for our chosen charities.  Our principle charities have been the Childrens Hospice South West and the RNLI.  These organisations rely upon donations in order to provide their invaluable services to those in real and often desperate need.  We thank all of our supporters and audiences for their contributions.

    As for our input, we give our time freely and in return have a great time; we hope our audiences do too!

    We are building an exciting new line-up for 2024.  The same old stalwarts are still here but we are adding some new, young singers giving both depth and vitality to our performances. Lets hope you agree.

    In recent times we have consistently completed over 40 performances each year; this has enabled a significant contribution to the organisations we support.  So, if you might be considering a community, social, corporate or charitable event which may need a bit of swagger and song, why not consider a shanty or two to help you and, in turn, help others at the same time? We would be very pleased to hear from you.

    Website

    YouTube

    Facebook

  • Barrett’s Privateers

    From the deep, resonating notes of the father and son bass to the high notes of the girls, Barrett’s Privateers have delighted audiences throughout Cornwall and well beyond with their broad, rich harmonies.

    Based on the Cornish side of the beautiful Tamar Valley, Barrett’s Privateers formed through the joy of acapella singing. Since forming in 2019, the group have been honoured to perform at a range of events from the Falmouth International Sea Shanty Festival, to the highly acclaimed Rock Oyster Festival.

    2022 was a fantastic year for Barrett’s Privateers. In May, they recorded their debut album, Shed No Tears, at the prestigious Cube Studios and in August, they represented Cornwall at the Festival Interceltique de Lorient in Brittany along with seven other Celtic nations, performing each night to a crowd of up to 10,000 people. A new favourite venue in 2023 and 2024, was Carnglaze, where, lighting, sound and the Caverns themselves, proved an incredible experience for both Barrett’s and the audience, and a new album was recorded at Cube, in April.

    Songs of the sea, shanties, traditional folk, Cornish and mining songs all feature regularly on their set lists. Despite being so varied in age, Barrett’s Privateers take each song and make it their own, with each of the voices finding a way to complement its neighbour, through the joy of just singing together.

    The power and harmony within their lively performances are both enjoyable and hugely entertaining.

    Instagram: @barrettsprivateers

    Facebook: facebook.com/barrettsprivateers

    YouTube: https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCGeWF2OS5W-17JU4icaBbkw  

    https://linktr.ee/BarrettsPrivateers

  • Bow Movement

    Formed in early 2020 in the village of Kennford, just south of Exeter, Bow Movement inject passion and energy into the West Country shanty scene.

    Expect singing with gusto, instrumentation, interesting harmonies and arrangements of shanties, sea songs and folk ancient and modern.

    Also expect raucousity, high jinks and off-the-wall humour from an upstart crew that have become a regular and unique feature on festival bills.

    Come and enjoy a Bow Movement with us! “

    ‘It’s nice to have some eye candy around’

    Woman in pub

    ‘The best shanty crew……from England!’

    A Cornishman

    ‘The Take That of the shanty world’

    An adoring fan.

    ‘Not bad for a bunch of bouncers from Mothercare’

    Some fella called Brian.

    Bow Movement Facebook

    Bow Movement Twitter

  • Bryher’s Boys

    Since 2017, Bryher’s Boys love of the folk repertoire, both Nautical and Cornish, have proved a hit with audiences both local and international, with over 300 performances clocked up to date in venues as diverse as crowded pubs, weddings, community events, fundraisers and large scale concerts.

    The group are particularly proud to have represented Cornwall abroad at the 2019 Festival Interceltique and the 2022 Celtic Gathering and being asked to compose a “G7 Shanty” for the 2021 G7 Summit – performing it live on BBC News, reaching an audience of millions worldwide.

    Contacts:

    Bryher’s Boys Facebook

    Bryher’s Boys Instagram

    Bryher’s Boys You Tube

    Bryher’s Boys Website

     

  • C.A.S.K.

    C.A.S.K. (Collings A cappella Shanty Krew) are a daughter and father shanty duo from Teignmouth, in Devon.

    Somtimes the mermaid security Dan joins us to lead a few shanties, some of which he has written.

    They have performed at various pirate and shanty festivals from Falmouth to Gloucester, but since lockdown they have submitted videos and been involved on live feeds for virtual festivals further afield in Oban Scotland and on the east coast of America for “Weathering The Storm” and Canada for “Festival Des Pirates”, as well as recording music tracks being played on SoundCloud “Couleur Bleue Salee”.

    Garbed as mermaid and pirate(s), they have a strikingly different look as well as beautifully blended harmonies.

    C.A.S.K fundraise for FND Friends, a charity which helps Kathryn to manage her Functional Neurological Disorder.

    They are delighted to be part of the return of the Falmouth International Shanty Festival once again, keeping up the camaraderie and keeping everyone connected.

    You may be familiar with Kathryn’s renditions of the “Betty Stogs” shanty (written by “Stamp & Go”) in previous festival finales.

    If you enjoy their performance please find, follow and like them:

  • Cadgwith Singers

    The Cadgwith Singers started many years ago in the Pub at Cadgwith with Buller and Hartley. The singing has changed over the years and many of the original singers are now gone, sadly missed, and their voices too. Their parts have been passed on to others who keep the traditional songs going. The songs are also changing a little. What has not changed is the Friday night gathering to sing, well, anything and everything really but always in the same unrehearsed and unique style. Long may this tradition continue.

    These days the Cadgwith Singers are to be found singing in clubs, pubs, theatres and rugby matches all over Cornwall, wherever there is a convivial atmosphere and an audience that enjoys the unique, full blooded style of singing that never fails to please. Further afield there have been tours to various S.W. Counties, London, Ireland, France, and the Czech Republic.

    All this from a group of people who just get together for the pure enjoyment of singing, and as their late great leader David Muirhead once said “You must remember we’re not a choir, we’re just a group of friends who just get together to sing the songs we love to sing”.

  • Cape Cornwall Singers

    The Cape Cornwall Singers were formed early in 1997 in an attempt to resurrect the singing tradition in the local pubs around St Just. A very familiar sound at weekends and especially during St Just Feast, singing in the town had declined in recent years due mainly to the closure of our local tin mines.

    The first of many public appearances came in April 1997, followed by a guest appearance at the Tall Ships concert at Falmouth Castle in July and the Cornish Gorsedd in September of 1998. Brief television appearances, the release of our first CD/cassette tape “Our Beautiful Land” followed by our second CD “Men of Cornwall” in 2000 and the local radio exposure have kept Cape Singers in the public eye. Much of our success is due to the efforts of singer songwriter Harry Glasson who continues to write many of our most popular songs about Cornwall, our people and our traditions.

    The Singers have been on many “tours”, the first being the Isles of Scilly in April 1998. In October 1999, we sailed from Swansea to Cork and on to Listowel for three days, then on to Kenmare. On our return to Cornwall we had a request to sing at the Kernewek Lowender (world’s largest Cornish festival in South Australia), so in May 2001, 26 singers with their wives and friends set off for Australia.

    Cape Cornwall Singers

  • Captain Cat and the Sailors

    Formed as a one-off for a talent contest in late 2008, Captain Cat and the Sailors are a shanty loving folk band that just keep on going.  Based in South Wales, they draw on a range of musical traditions including shanties, working songs, Welsh, Irish and American music to create immersive and engaging musical experiences with their audiences.  If you like stories, singing along and sinking beers then they are the band for you.

    Twitter: @capcatsailors

    Facebook: https://en-gb.facebook.com/captaincatandthesailors/

    Some of their music is available on iTunes and Spotify.

    http://www.captaincatandthesailors.com

  • Cobweb Crew

    The Cobweb Crew were formed in April 2021 by a group of friends who were in the habit of striking up a song whilst enjoying a pint or two at The Cobweb Inn, Boscastle.

    Encouraged by landlord Adrian Bright, we usually sing at the Cobweb on a Sunday from 5pm unless otherwise engaged.

    We sing a wide spectrum of songs in harmony including shanties and also Cornish songs at every opportunity.

    The Cobweb Crew Facebook Page

  • Culdrose Military Wives Choir

    Culdrose Military Wives Choir was formed in 2012, inspired by Gareth Malone’s TV series ‘The Choir’; one of the first in the network that today comprises 72 choirs and nearly 2,000 members at British military bases 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.

    The Helston-based choir has collaborated on three Military Wives Choirs albums and enjoys performing a diverse repertoire at a variety of occasions, from community events to large-scale venues.

    Culdrose Military Wives Choir Facebook 

    Culdrose Military Wives Choir Twitter

    Culdrose Military Wives Website

  • Du Hag Owr

    Known as the Roseland Shantymen, after a couple of busy years following our evening with the World Leaders at the G7 in St Ives, this year is a bit more relaxed, although we still have a fairly full programme which suits five old men plus the youngsters, Simon and Jim.

    Having fun and raising money for our charities, Childrens Hospice SW and the RNLI still keeps us busy and we now have an Electric Pirate that brings fundraising up to date.

    A mix of traditional and our own shanties provides a great evening out and every week brings something new. Looking forward to Falmouth 2024!

  • Dutch Uncle

    The Dutchman, Hans Weehuizen “Dutch Uncle “ gives his workshop How To Play Bones, during  the Falmouth International Sea and Shanty Festival Weekend. 

    Hans is also active with singing sea songs and playing on his one row squeezebox and concertina. One of the oldest instruments to make rhythm are “bones” (bone).

    On board ships, there were not many instruments, so the men searched to make simple instruments themselves, from wood or bone.

    During the whale fishing there was enough material on hand to make bones (rattle-bones). Today you can’t get whalebones so easily, so people use wood, which works very well. It gives you an extra opportunity to make additionals sounds. To play with bones is divergent of old-fashioned “rattles”. The difference is, how to hold the bones, it gives greater possibilities to play additional rhythms. You often hear bones being played during shanty festivals.

    One of the promotors in Europe is Shanty Jack, who uses bones as an accompaniment on his songs.

    In America it goes much further, if you visit the Festival in Mystic Seaport, you hear many bone players.

    There is even a Rhythm Bones Society, who organize their own Bones Festival. They have members all over the world.

    *) The workshop teaches you the first steps of how to play the bones

    *) How to hold the bones

    *) The first movement with music

    *) There is enough learning material to practice

    *) On sale, there is a complete course with a coursebook in English, tape and practice bones

    *) But you can also make your own bones!

    For the workshop schedule, view the festival programme and try ‘HOW TO PLAY THE BONES’. The workshops are of course free of charge.

    To find out more about the Bones workshops see:How to Play the Bones Website 

    Contact: hweehuizen@freeler.nl

    Dutch Uncle Website

  • Falmouth Shout

    The Shout was born in the back room of the legendary Seven Stars in 2002.  Having sadly lost some friends and happily found new members in recent years, we are rejuvenated and looking forward to this year of the shanty festival we started in 2004.

    We are, as ever, a group of friends who enjoy a song and a drink and raising funds for our charities, notably the RNLI, Mission for Deep Sea Fishermen and the Cornwall Air Ambulance.

    Falmouth Shout Facebook Page

  • Femmes de la Mer

    Femmes de la Mer are a group of women hailing from across Cornwall. Each individual member brings a unique sound to the group, yet it’s their blend of a cappella voices that has gained them recognition amongst the folk and sea shanty communities.

    Led by musical director, Claire Ingleheart, this women+ group are known for their rich harmonies and bold interpretations of well known traditional songs as well as newly written shanties celebrating the lives and stories of Cornish women.

    As well as launching their first album, Today’s Haul, a beautiful collection of shanties and songs of the sea, they recently appeared on the latest BBC series of Rick Stein Cornwall!

    Femmes de la Mer Website

    Femmes de la Mer Instagram

    Femmes de la Mer Facebook

    hellofemmesdelamer@gmail.com

  • Figurehead

    Figurehead are an all female shanty group from North Cornwall who share a love of songs with a traditional, nautical and maritime flavour. In fact if it contains a reference, however slight, to water, we consider it fair game.!

    The group originally formed as a bit of fun around a kitchen table for 5 women who shared a love of sea songs and harmonies. 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 2023 they also enjoyed performing on Radio5 Live Sunday breakfast and appearing on CBeebies!

    Figurehead Facebook

     

  • Fisherman’s Friends

    Back in the day the Fisherman’s Friends, then unencumbered by fame and fortune, came down from Port Isaac and took part in the joyous very first-ever Falmouth Sea Shanty Festival. Our old mate Trevor was still with us then, and as a fair-sized crowd gathered around us singing on Custom House Quay I remember him dryly remarking, ‘Here, I don’t think we’re as bad as we think we are’. I think that apart from the dreadful Covid years, we’ve only missed one festival, and it really is one of the highlights of the year for us.

    The Fisherman’s Friends musical has been touring the country, and we had a cracking weekend with them over in Toronto when the company embarked on a seven week run over there. We’ve been all over the UK since November, and the tour’s been sold right out (no accounting for taste eh!) – excitingly we’ve had a former member re-join us to beef the vocals up a bit, and with the addition of another new talented musician as well as loads of new material, hope that you find that we sound stronger than ever.’

    So, all round, the sea shanty is a bit viral at the moment, which for those of us who’ve loved these old songs for years is just the best news possible. With our group members’ long standing connections with the Port Isaac and Padstow RNLI, we are so looking forward to supporting the Institution and performing at Falmouth again, and maybe even getting a sly kiss on the cheek from Betty Stoggs, a proper maid if there ever was one!

    Fisherman’s Friends Facebook

    Fisherman’s Friends Website

  • Flash Jack

    ‘Flash’ comes from Georgian slang for a person living on the edge of ‘decent’ society but with a certain style which endeared them to their comrades if not to the authorities. ‘Jack’ is slang for a sailor.

    We sing not only ‘straight’ shanties but also ballads, new songs and tunes, songs which show women’s experience of the sea (and seafarers) and songs and tunes reflecting the wider influence of coastal life and the resulting back and forth of songs and tunes between land and sea.

    Flash Jack Website

    Flash Jack Facebook

    Flash Jack Twitter

    Flash Jack Instagram

  • Freddie’s Barnet

    Formed in 2018 The Freddies have played at shanty festivals and events from Norfolk to Cornwall raising a smile and a song where we go and money for the RNLI. We’re a friendly trio and we play shanties, folk and singalong classics. We’re often described as ‘different’ which we’re very happy about !

    Freddie’s Barnet Facebook

    Freddie’s Barnet Website

     

  • Hit and Miss

    Hit and Miss are a young, vibrant, local singing group who keep Cornwall’s musical heritage alive through song.

    ​Hit and Miss were formed after five school friends were heard singing with the regular singers of the Blue Anchor Inn, Helston one Spring evening in 2017. It was pointed out to us that we should form a group to perform for the ‘Helstonbury’ festival in the coming August of that year. This we duly did and after being very well received, we entered in to ‘Helstonbury’ 2018 with a little more rehearsing under our belts. Since then we have gone from strength to strength taking on many other engagements across West Cornwall. We throughly enjoy singing together and are proud of our reputation for rich four-part harmonies.”  Samuel Trounson

    Hit and Miss Website

  • Kessenyan

    Kessenyan are a three part harmony group made up of, Harry, Olly and Ruby, based in Redruth, Cornwall, singing sea shanties, sea songs and songs from the English/Irish/Scottish folk circuit. Kessenyan means harmony and it represents us perfectly as we are a group of young singers who sing the songs we want to sing and enjoy ourselves whilst doing it!!

  • Les Souillés De Fond De Cale

    Les Souillés de fond de cale 30 years of stopovers and more than 1000 concerts. Since 1991, the band from the Côtes d’Armor (Brittany) has taken its compositions linked to the maritime world, from North to South, from West to East, from Iceland to Italy, from Quebec to Estonia, passing by Poland without forgetting the British Isles, Switzerland, Belgium and the Netherlands.

    Les Souillés have scoured the stages of maritime and folk European festivals.

    Coming from various musical backgrounds, the five members of the group have created their own identity, filled with friendships and complicity. Their repertoire mixes tonic songs and ballads, all flavored with emotion and humour.

    Les Souillés offers you a trip to the shon all the seas of the world. A clever mix of traditional songs and compositions marinated in Celtic sauce…

    http://www.les-souilles.com

  • Les Vénus du Matelot

    THREE VOICES’ MARITIMES SONGS are from Les Sables d’Olonne, France.

    Accompanied by a guitar or a cittern, they travel in the universe of the maritime repertoire by adding some personal compositions found in their logbook.

    The group takes you on polyphonic seas that are sometimes rough and sometimes moving.

    The revisited vocal arrangements refresh traditional sea shanties and bring emotion and originality!

    Les Vénus du Matelot are composed of two female voices, a male voice and a guitar. You will find Isa (voice), Christine (voice) and Jean-Louis (voice, guitar and cittern).

    For more information, visit Les Vénus du Matelot Website

  • Longest Johns

    The Longest Johns are a Bristol based, a capella folk music band, born out of a mutual love of traditional folk songs and shanties. They rock maritime songs alongside the more unusual and less traditional folk tunes.  I doubt any of Bristol’s The Longest Johns ever imagined they would be able to get so far on just four voices.

    In a few short years they have gone from singing sea shanties in a kitchen to International folk festivals, tours, TV appearances and gained a huge online following.

    As the face of the 2021 sea shanty revival with their track Wellerman, the Johns are reaching millions of new fans all across the globe and showing them just how great these songs can be.

    http://thelongestjohns.bandcamp.com

    Facebook

    Twitter

    YouTube

  • Lower Deckers

    The Lower Deckers are a fun, contemporary shanty group from Shropshire and Herefordshire. Established in 2017, they perform regularly in festivals, pubs and cafes. They’ve sung at the Hereford Fishermans Friends movie premier, toured Northumberland and shanty-rocked Hereford’s River Carnival. Festival appearances include Falmouth, Mevagissey, Weston, Teignmouth & Gloucester.

    They are keen charity fundraisers, regularly holding gigs to raise funds for the RNLI, local charities and food banks. The Lower Deckers repertoire embraces traditional Shanties, songs of the sea and sailing, folk songs and more!

    They look forward to entertaining you at this years Falmouth International Sea Shanty Festival.

    The Lower Deckers Facebook Page

  • Mariners Away

    Appearing at Falmouth for the 16th consecutive year, Dartmoor-based Mariners Away is well known across the South West for performing traditional sea shanties and other maritime numbers at various events across the region.

    Established in 2007, our name pays homage to ‘The Mariners’ Way,’ an ancient route frequented by sailors travelling between the ports of Bideford and Dartmouth. Situated along this route is South Zeal, where the King’s Arms inn, our rehearsal space, is believed to have hosted these seafaring travellers.

    Comprising typically eight or nine members and occasionally ten, Dartmoor’s sole shanty crew entertains audiences not only at pub gigs and private functions but also at all the major shanty and folk festivals such as Falmouth, Port Isaac and the renowned Sidmouth Folk Festival.

    Since our enjoyable sets at Falmouth last year, we’ve broadened our reach by staging exclusive solo concerts at prestigious venues such as The Plough Arts Centre in Great Torrington for example which has attracted a new wave of followers.

    We also organised a special fundraising concert which we headlined at Exeter’s celebrated Corn Exchange in support of the Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital. The event which was generously supported by our many friends from the world of music, raised an impressive £2500 for the hospital’s charity.

    Prior to the concert, we were featured on BBC Spotlight, where presenter Natalie Cornah interviewed us, and we had the opportunity to serenade the South West TV audience as the regional airwaves were handed back to the national network. This memorable moment can be found on our YouTube channel.

    For more information please visit our website https://www.marinersaway.co.uk
    our dedicated YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@marinersaway9093
    or Facebook https://www.facebook.com/marinersawaycrew

  • Mel Babb

    Mel Babb was a founding member of Figurehead and has recently set out on a solo adventure; she has been described as a powerful singer and interpreter of songs with a unique style.

    An irrepressible character who is well known on the folk and shanty circuit, Mel loves to share songs with singers and audience alike with a hint of Cornish passion and fun.

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mel.babb.shanty

  • Mevagissey Quaynotes

    Four part harmonies and a rich ‘a cappella’ sound; Look out for scurvy serenades, cheeky concertinas, twists on popular shanties, and songs you’ve never heard before…. these are the four men of the Mevagissey QuayNotes.

    They hail from the scenic fishing harbour of Mevagissey and are strongly established in the Cornwall shanty scene. They perform a wide range of styles, and are seen at all manner of events, from pub sings and charity events to full festival concerts. One man to each part, Pete (Bass), Mike (Bari), Daz (2nd Tnr) and Alan (Top Tnr), they have had storming success (including onboard ship) at Charlestown Harbour, St Ives and Falmouth shanty festivals. Always a striking live performance, don’t miss out!

    Mevagissey QuayNotes Facebook

  • Missin’ Tackle Shanty Crew

    Following the success of ‘The Provident’ play in Brixham Theatre in 2015, a group of lads decided, as they had had so much fun singing together they would form a shanty group. Thus, ‘Missin’ Tackle Shanty Crew’ came together. With very varied backgrounds in singing it is the camaraderie of it all that draws them together. Their love of the sea and the very different way of life in days gone by is brought to together in shanties and sea songs including some old favourites that everyone will want to sing along too. Four of the crew are members of local male voice choirs. In the past twelve months, they have enjoyed singing in Brixham and beyond singing for many local charities and good causes. Like many shanty crews, their free annual quay concerts in the summer down under the Old Fish Quay on Brixham Harbour raise funds for local charities and good causes and are always very well received. This year they are appearing in shanty festivals in Cockwood – Starcross, Port Issac, Barry Island – South Wales and Mevagissey. Missin’ Tackle Shanty Crew are looking forward to appearing in the Falmouth International Shanty Festival for the first time.

  • Molgoggers

    The Molgoggers hail from the town of Cobh, located in Cork Harbour on Ireland’s South Coast.

    We were formed ten years ago by a great local character, Jimmy Halligan, who sadly sailed for Fiddler’s Green in 2021. We are now a five-strong, a-cappella, all male group that love to meet up and sing a few songs.

    We sing a mixture of traditional sea shanties and contemporary maritime songs, all given the Molgogger treatment! We sing for fun and enjoyment and don’t take life too seriously so it’s quite normal to see us taking the mickey out of each other during a performance. The highlights of 2022 were, our fifth visit to Falmouth, the best festival in the world, and our first visit to Electric Picnic, Ireland’s equivalent of Glastonbury. There we sang on the deck of an old trawler, the Salty Dog stage. We are delighted to be returning to both Falmouth and Electric Picnic in 2023. Hope to see you there. All Aboard!

    Email:  themolgoggers@gmail.com

    Events organiser:        Jerry O’Driscoll            + 353 (0) 86 8891973

    General enquiries:      John Crone                   + 353 (0) 86 8329188

    Molgoggers Facebook

    Molgoggers Instagram

    Molgoggers Twitter

    The Molgoggers TikTok

    Molgoggers Website

     

  • Monkeyfists

    Foot-stomping, carousing, singalong – with voices AND instruments (including a percussive box housing the bones of one of The Longest Johns)! Come be in the crew, have a laugh. We do old sea songs, folk songs, a couple of modern-ish covers, and salty drinking songs too! We pride ourselves on gigs with an authentic atmosphere and fun times.

    The Monkeyfists are the UK’s most landlocked shanty band, hailing from central England, and this year is our tenth anniversary! So, shout, “10 already? You look so young!” when you see us, we’ll get the drinks in! Here’s to the next ten years of honest raggediness!

    www.monkeyfists.co.uk

  • Month’s Advance

    “We answer to the name of Month’s Advance!” Josh and Emily have played together since 2009. While living on an historic ship, they discovered a shared love of sea shanties and combined Emily’s folk fiddle with Josh’s irreverent double bass to underpin their versions of the Age of Sail’s finest salty classics, mixed with originals which they write, as often as possible, at sea.  Month’s Advance love Martin Carthy and Dave Swarbrick, the Dreadnoughts and hanging out in maritime museums, so if you love those things, we hope you’ll love Month’s Advance, too.

    Join us on:

    Month’s Advance Instagram

    Month’s Advance Facebook

  • Nankersey Male Choir

    Nankersey Male Choir – based just across the Penryn River at Flushing.

    A male choir composed of individuals from differing jobs and homes, with varied temperaments yet united in their love of music, and when the baton is raised, they are ‘as one”. They sing a varied repertoire of popular, classical, sea shanty and folk songs.  Accompanied by Michael Uren and led by their Musical Director, Elaine Tangye.

    New members always welcome, Monday 7.30pm Church Hall Flushing.

  • Nordet

    This year will be the eleventh time Nordet have participated in the “Falmouth International Sea Shanty Festival”. To celebrate this beautiful anniversary, in addition to many new songs, uilleann pipes will accompany the accordion, the bouzouki, the guitar, the banjo and the violin.

    For this occasion, Nordet will be made up of five crew members: Philippe Falquerho, Francis Arzul, Hervé Chevrolier, Pierre Guillemot and Didier Allain, all of them used to having their sea-legs on big stages as well as at parties and cabarets.

    For about 30 years Nordet have been performing traditional sea shanties and our own creations. The crew knows how to make people dance or sing in a festive spirit or be moved by a lament. Nordet have sailed from Lorient, their home port, to New York; from Paimpol to Liverpool and from Hoorn to Douarnenez.

    Nordet’s energy, voices and instruments will sweep you away in a gale. These four sailors, exuberant and joyful, will embark and allow the public on board, from dead calm seas to storms, from the middle of oceans  to the docks, and from Breton taverns to Cornish pubs. Nordet is a warm wind, a friendliness and an ability to mobilize the public. So welcome on board you sailors.

    Nordet Website

    Nordet Facebook

    Nordet You Tube

     

  • Odds & Sods

    Odds n Sods are as the name implies are a group of like-minded friends who enjoy singing together, over the last three years we have raised over £6500 for various local charities.
    This will be our second visit to Falmouth and if it’s anything like last year, will be a blast.

    Odds & Sods Facebook

  • Oll An Gwella

    Newquay’s rehearsed acapella chorus “Oll an Gwella” has wowed audiences with 4-part Cornish, folk, seasonal & shanty songs since 2010. Representing Cornwall live on ITV, BBC & German channel ZDF; on the deck of the Cutty Sark; from the Festival Interceltique in Lorient, Brittany; and from Newquay’s Boardmaster’s stage, their passion for Cornish culture & heritage resonates through their performances at home and abroad including annual appearances at Falmouth International Sea Shanty Festival, of course, and other shows and festivals.  Fees, donations and CD sales have raised more than £55,000 for their adopted Cornish charities since 2015 and their 3 charity albums mix 4-part Cornish singing with culture & smiles – 3 key elements of an Oll an Gwella performance!

    Find out more at Oll an Gwella’s Website: https://ollangwella.co.uk

    Or Facebook – Oll an Gwella

     

  • 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. We perform in our own unique style, dressed in traditional pirate costume. We are a non-profit band and every penny we make from our gigs and music sales goes to charity.

    We are regulars at The Falmouth International Shanty Festival, Plymouth Pirate Weekend, The Brixham Pirate Festival, Mevagissey Shanty Festival and The Lost Gardens of Heligan summer events.

    See our website for details of where to buy or stream our albums.

  • Port of Bristol Shanty Crew

    This Bristol crew are the stuff of legend, singing traditional working sea shanties and songs of the sea, often celebrating Bristol’s renowned maritime history.  Join crewmates Rev, Nobby, Skipper, Art, Fish, Paddles, Chuffer, Doc, Ol’Bill and Ash for some rollicking entertainment, ship-shape and Bristol fashion.  Fun and friendship, melody and mirth.  Guaranteed.  They don’t claim to be the best or brightest shanty crew in Bristol.  We just know that they “Arrrrgh!”

    www.pobshantycrew.co.uk

    Facebook

  • Portsmouth Shantymen

    The Portsmouth Shantymen have been described as a “power harmony group” who specialize in Sea Songs, but if it’s a good song they’ll give it a go anyway!

    They have 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.

    Portsmouth Shantymen Facebook Page

    Portsmouth Shantymen website

  • River Notes

    The River Notes have been singing since 2016 and the Falmouth Shanty Festival has become one of our favourite annual gigs! We are a mixed choir of 40 members who sing for the joy of it and always have fun both rehearsing and performing. We still hold our weekly practise sessions at the Falmouth Cricket Club which also gives the singers a chance to refresh their vocal cords at the bar!

    As well as shanty and songs of the sea, we sing pop, well-loved rock oldies, Cornish and other folk material and original material by local composers. Essentially anything that is cheering, rousing or toe-tapping! 2022 marked a return to live performance after the ‘covid years’ and the Falmouth Shanty Festival 2022 was the best one yet for the River Notes! This year we have many gigs planned including one on the King Harry Ferry at the crack of dawn with other local choirs accompanied by a brass band ensemble!

    We will sing a brand new choir piece written in 2022 called the Platinum Jubilee Dawn Chorus, music by Gareth Churcher and words by Bob Willmot. We are also singing at the Source FM Parklive in June for the first time. Some of the River Notes choir members are also part of the cast of the new musical Bal Maiden which has its first ever performances in November 2023 at the Princess Pavilion, Falmouth. More info at Bal Maiden Musical Website and tickets are available from See Tickets Website.

    The River Notes are conducted by Lucetta Radcliffe and accompanied by Nicki Tumbridge and perform in a variety of local settings and events. Please get in touch if you would like us to sing for you. We can be contacted through our facebook page, River Notes Facebook

    New members are always welcome.

     

  • Rum & Shrub

    We are a group of traditional singers from Cornwall with a worldwide reputation for lively singing of shanties, sea songs and folk songs. Performing together since 1991 from the Eastern seaboard of the USA to many places in Western Europe as well as national TV work and many more local events, we take our name from a well-known local drink reputed to have been enjoyed by smugglers and of course we are always delighted to allow you the opportunity to buy us a sample for you to try!

    We always look forward to the International Sea Shanty Festival, it’s such a wonderful event and having performed at every single one there is always plenty of good singing to listen to with a terrific atmosphere and an opportunity to meet friends and colleagues old and new.   We want you to enjoy our singing so find our venues for the weekend on the programme or festival website and come and watch the show or buy CD’s from the group and from record stores. We’ve even mastered the art of making our music available electronically!

    We look forward to making new friends and hearing new songs wherever we go, and we very much hope that you enjoy our singing as much as we do. Just follow the contact links for enquiries and bookings.

    Rum and Shrub Website

  • Seaweed in the Fruit Locker

    Seaweed in the Fruit Locker is an LGBTQIA+ sea shanty choir formed by artist Rhys Morgan; exploring queer motifs within seafaring history and collective performance in marginalised communities through the tradition of shanty singing.
    The choir have used their lived experience to rework existing shanties and inspire new ones, continuing the tradition of these hybrid folk songs being adapted time and again through generations and across cultures.
    LINKS
    IMAGE CREDIT: Dom Moore
  • Severn Whalers

    In 1885 a whale was found on a bank of the River Severn, and more than a century later the Severn Whalers are still looking for another….                                                            

    A group of four friends from villages along the banks of the Severn, the Whalers came together six years ago over a shared love of sea shanties and songs of the sea.

    Highlights from 2023 were the numerous Shanty Festivals they were able to attend, including Falmouth, Mevagissey and their first trip into France for Festival du Chant de Marin in Paimpol, together with the recording of their first CD, Moves on the Water.

    They are delighted to be returning to the fantastic Falmouth International Shanty Festival again in 2024.

  • Shantyman KaapHoorn

    Shantymen Kaap Hoorn is a polyphonic shanty choir from Hoorn (NH). Hoorn is an old V.O.C. city ​​on the Markermeer. The choir sings shanties, seasongs and nautical folk. The choir has existed since 1995. Instrumental accompaniment is provided by a combo. This combo consists of musicians who play various instruments, such as accordion, guitar, violin and bodhran (Irish drum). The bar is high at Shantymen Cape Horn. Our goal is to create the best possible musical product, we are amateurs but with a professional ambition.

    You can find more information about our choir and performances via www.Kaaphoorn.nl.

  • Sheringham Shantymen

    The Sheringham Shantymen were launched in 1990 and in 2024 they celebrate their 34th Anniversary.  They support the RNLI performing at lifeboat stations around the United Kingdom and Ireland and purchased a lifeboat for the RNLI at Wicklow in 2007. They have travelled widely throughout the UK, Europe, and the USA. The Shantymen have completed over 1,300 public performances, made three videos and recorded seven CD’s. This year they are concentrating on helping the RNLI mark its 200th anniversary by undertaking a ‘Sail of two Centuries Tour’ to various RNLI & local Theatre venues to help celebrate the occasion.

    The Sheringham Shantymen Website

    Youtube

    Facebook

  • Short Drag Roger

    Celebrating our 20th year, Short Drag Roger continue to bring shanties and sea songs to the landlocked people of Oxfordshire and further afield.  We have performed at shanty and folk festivals all over the UK and Europe as well as pubs, theatres, village shows and other venues closer to home.

    We not only sing traditional shanties to our audiences a capella but also more modern sea songs and self-penned numbers.

    Short Drag Roger Facebook Page

    Short Drag Roger Website

  • Simon The Shanty Harpist

    Simon The Shanty Harpist, alias Simon J Ellis (author of The Lea Bridge Road Shanty Men) will sing a Mermaid’s Lullaby up Essequibo River while Bound For Australia on board The Rosabella albeit A Long Time Ago. If you wonder Is She Seaworthy Jack? then a Man Overboard would simply Leave Her Johnny Leave Her because you wouldn’t find Brave Molly Of Plymouth on board A Submarine In Luppit unless The Bright Blue Sea around Croydon Bay was full of Herring Cake! Rollicking Sea Shanties on a rollicking harp! All good fun!

  • Sloop Groggy Dogs

    Sloop Groggy Dogs, are probably the finest sea shanty crew from land-locked Milton Keynes.

    We are blokes in stripes, with all the moves, songs of nautical adventure, an eclectic mix of instruments and our very own mermaid.

    We love singing live and seek full audience participation for an immersive fun experience.

    Having performed at festivals around the country and locally, we are helping to raise much needed funds for RNLI, Macmillan, and other worthy causes. 

    Let us liven up your event – get in touch….

    Website: Sloop Groggy Dogs

    Facebook: Sloop Groggy Dogs

     

  • Solent Shanty Buoys

    The Solent Shanty Buoys are a group of friends who enjoy singing shanties but also some lesser known songs of the sea. They are thoroughly enjoying being able to perform again and will be at Yarmouth and Mudeford festivals as well as Falmouth this year! They do love performing at beer festivals and micro breweries…..can’t think why!! But they perform to a wide range of audiences, always encouraging audience participation.

  • Stuns’ls Shanty Group

    Stuns’ls  were formed in Mevagissey, Charlestown and Truro Cornish Pilot Gig rowing clubs and named from one our earliest songs “Old Maui”. Stuns’ls is sailors slang for the Studding Sail, an extra sail that can be hauled out on a square-rigged vessel’s yardarm to run in light winds.  

    We are a light-hearted bunch, who doesn’t take life to seriously and have a lust for harmonies, always seeking out that extra note. Over the last two years we have had the honour of singing for King Charles and the Queen consult, played a part in Rick Steins Cornwall (2021), and are the voices for Visit Cornwall’s G7 campaign, whilst also performing for German TV and singing at the Bremen International Shanty Festival in Germany. 

    We strive to make those chords ring and to put a smile on spectators faces, whilst ensuring that we promote Cornish harmonies and songs of the sea.       

    Facebook page

  • Suitcase Singers

    The Suitcase Singers – are a 50 strong community choir led by Musical Director, Claire Ingleheart and based in Penryn.   Being by the sea, they have a love for shanties and folk songs, old and new and have a rich repertoire of traditional Cornish songs and contemporary songs that reflect the incredible stories of our Cornish heritage.

    Facebook Page

  • Swinging the Lead

  • Tavy Tars

    The Tavy Tars were formed to celebrate the launch of our first local Gig and are 20 years old this year.

    We enjoy performing in our pub at Bere Ferrers, at local primary and old folks’ homes, at Plymouth Pirate Festival and Tavistock Music festival, but will always travel further for a Shanty Festival.

    We are really looking forward to Falmouth again this year, it will be our 14th appearance!

    Tavy Tars Website

  • The 5 Men Not Called Matt

    The Five Men Not Called Matt say hi to all our friends old and new. It will be great to see, hear and sing with you again at good old Falmouth.

    We will be singing around the town, in pubs, on stage, on the pavement, in the shower, wherever !.

    So, see you at Falmouth join in, raise the roof, lets make it a great weekend out

    Mine’s a pint or three of whatever’s going please. (Singing is very thirsty work)

    We are:

    • Tim Hauge
    • Andy Powell
    • Michele Welborn
    • Ian Welborn
    • Brian Peckett
    • Rob Scott
    • John New

    Brian for the Five Men Not Called Matt.

     The Five Men Not Called Matt Facebook

  • The 85ers

    The 85ers are a shanty group made up of 6 active sea going lifeboat crew from RNLI Portishead. Fully acapella, we sing a wide range of shanties. We formed during a lock down in 2021, and have been performing at various shanty festivals and pubs across the south west ever since. Last year we were very honoured and proud to represent sea shanty singers and the RNLI on a national stage, singing for the King in the Coronation Choir at the Coronation Concert at Windsor Castle.

    The 85ers Facebook Page

  • The Chantry Buoys

    The Chantry Buoys are the original East Devon Shanty boyband!

    We are comprised of 8 local men, from mainly Colyton, who get together to sing locally, and sometimes far away, and have fun.  We love shanty singing and also singing other well known songs of the sea. We have performed at several well known shanty festivals, including Falmouth, Teignmouth and we sing at various events such as Lyme Regis Lifeboat week, Beer regatta week and Sidmouth Sea Fest.

    We always sing in the Quay of Sea!!

    The Chantry Buoys Website

  • The Countrymen

    It’s difficult to find a musical genre that would fully describe The Countrymen, but Folk Rock Harmony comes close.

    A five-piece band featuring tight four-part vocal harmony and strong instrumentation. Primarily performing original songs and their own arrangements of known contemporary folk, the band’s lyrical inspiration is drawn from life in Cornwall, the demise of local industries and other rural issues that resonate throughout the country. The Countrymen are accomplished performers, engaging the audience with light-hearted banter and back-stories to their songs.

    The Countrymen perform up to 50 live gigs per year including spring and autumn concert tours, festivals and other folk events. These include Little Orchard Festival, Rock Oyster Festival, Falmouth International Sea Shanty Festival, Falmouth Oyster Festival and Falmouth Week.

    “These guys are really entertaining. The musicianship, vocal harmonies and the humour all come together to provide a great evenings entertainment” – Graham Bunney.

    They’ve also appeared at Looe Saves The Day, supporting Paul Young’s Los Pacaminos, headlined at Bridport Folk Festival and are looking forward to appearing at Bie Diap in TheNetherlands, Europe’s largest folk and sea song festival. More recently, The Countrymen have been shortlisted for Glastonbury’s Pilton Stage 2024. The Countrymen have also made several appearances on West country Television, BBC Radio Cornwall and numerous online folk radio stations.

    “If you get the chance to see these guys (The Countrymen) in concert then take it, you will not be disappointed” – Harry Glasson.

    To date, the band have released two albums, Trees on the Hill and The River Rolls On, both available on CD and all major streaming/download sites. They are currently working on a third album to be released later in the year.

    Website: thecountrymen.co.uk

    Facebook: www.facebook.com/countrymenband

    Instagram: @thecountrymenbandcornwall

    Video Clips

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z_yXiVqHLdU

    https://www.dropbox.com/s/1vckoqyyf88afn5/The%20Wreckers.mp4?dl=0

  • The Following Seas

    The Following Seas shanty group was formed in 2022 to provide music for the visit of the Archbishop of Canterbury to Fairwinds Mission Centre and more generally to the Shanty Festival of that year. In the end, he didn’t show up, but the choir still sang. Following this slightly ill-omened beginning, the group has reformed for this year, but now to take part in the festival more generally.

    The group ranges in age from 20s through to 70s, and while many of its members are associated with music-making in King Charles the Martyr Church in the centre of Falmouth, not all are. The group’s unique selling-point(s) are its inclusion of new arrangements of existing shanties that combine a folk and Jazz vibe, of classical songs with a nautical flavour (including solos) and a rigorous approach to harmony that sees the group split occasionally into as many as 8 parts.

    The group is led by Richard Bailey, who also serves as Director of Music at KCM.

  • The Lemonaires

    Male voice singing is a great passion for Cornishmen and The Lemonaires are no exception.

    The Lemonaires are an Acapella group based in Mylor Bridge near Falmouth. Singing of Cornwall, fishing, farming, and mining with the passion you would expect from proud Celtic men, also like a good ole shanty or two.

    Happily performing in pubs, clubs, at special celebrations, back in shanty festivals across Cornwall, Caravan and Holiday parks, private residences, in churches, in fact anywhere that brings a smile to the faces of anyone appreciating what can loosely be described as Cornish or Celtic Folk Music.

  • The Navy Larks – Starboard Watch

    The Navy Larks are a group of stout-hearted (and stout-bellied) men from the wild and rugged coast of Wiltshire, who like nothing better than to gather and sing Shanties and Songs of the Sea, always provided there is some beer or rum close to hand.

    In and around our home port of Salisbury, we sing at festivals and charity events, raising considerable sums for our favoured causes the Parkinson’s Disease Society and the RNLI.

    We set sail for Falmouth this year with a rather smaller crew than usual, about a dozen hand-picked singers known as ‘The Navy Larks – Starboard Watch’.

    The Navy Larks Facebook Page

  • The Oggymen

    If our history forms the people we are, then it is the places we inhabit that shape the people we become. Our love for the history and the community of our hometown, Falmouth, is intense but unsentimental. As we grew up, it was folk songs that bound us to this special place. Our fathers sung them in male voice choirs, our brothers sung them at Falmouth Working Boat regattas, our sisters sung them at Pilot Gig Races and we all tried to sing them down the pub…

    For over a decade, The Oggymen have championed contemporary Cornish folk music and celebrated those songs that bind Cornish people to their community and to their past. We are known for our tight harmonies and rousing performances that convey the rugged beauty of the Duchy and celebrate her peerless industrial heritage.  The Oggymen’s performances at this year’s Falmouth International Sea Shanty Festival will feature new musical arrangements that will captivate the heart of the every Cornishman or Cousin Jack.

    The Oggymen

    http://www.oggymen.com/

  • The Rusty Tubs

    The Rusty Tubs are a mongrel band of 10 (or so) , A Cappella, sea shanty singing Jack Tars. We sing traditional sea shanties, songs of the sea, military songs, drinking songs and folk songs. All on traditional themes: being at sea, drinking, working and getting mistreated, fighting, tragedy, poverty and general skullduggery. We’re loud, rough and ready, with a punk attitude, but a certain style. Drunken revelry is a certainty!

  • The Sea Gals

    The Sea Gals are an all-female sea shanty crew, formed in Totnes, bringing you traditional working songs of the sea and other nautical numbers. Our passion for the sounds and stories of the harbours, ships and voyages across the Seven Seas helps to keep these traditional songs from being lost to the deep..

    Instagram: the_sea_gals_
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theseagalsshanty

  • 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!). We are the organisers of the Weston-super-Mare Sea Shanty and Folk Music Festival https://www.wsmshantyfest.com

    We meet every Wednesday for rehearsal and perform a range of popular sea shanties and sea songs, always remaining keen on learning new ones to enhance our repertoire.

    We perform in public for community groups, in pubs, in bars, and at Sea Shanty Festivals around the UK. We play every 3rd Wednesday with invited friends our regular monthly ‘Shanty Night’ in Fork ‘n’ Ale, Weston-super-Mare.

    The Steepholmers Twitter
     The Steepholmers Website

    The Steepholmers Facebook

  • Toby Webb

    I’m a 22-year-old singer songwriter from Falmouth, Cornwall. I’ve been writing, playing the guitar, and singing since I was 12 years old and only recently started gigging.

    Since the pandemic I’ve been inspired by close local Cornish friends, local shanty groups and the singer songwriters Harry Glasson & Will Keating to love where I live. I write songs about Cornwall and about a girl who knows all the words to pretty much every single shanty song…

    Toby Webb Facebook

  • Treizhadenn

    Treizhadenn is a Breton group (Crossing in English) from the Paris area.

    Composed of musicians (vocals, chromatic accordion, guitar, flutes, saxophone, Bombardes, bass and percussions), Treizhadenn is fourteen years old. We perform throughout France and abroad, Wales and Cornwall. Our repertoire is almost exclusively composed of group creations (music and lyrics) and it is dedicated to the sea, sailors and Brittany.

    Most of them are dance tunes from different terroirs of Brittany and Celtic countries.

    We have created three CDs and for more details you can visit our website, where you will find videos and CD extracts.

    Treizhadenn website

  • Wareham Whalers

    This year is the 20th anniversary for the Wareham Whalers. We enjoy singing a wide range of shanties, songs of the sea as well as a number of songs composed by members of our crew. We adopt the style that sailors would have used nearly 200 hundred years ago when working. So we sing with no accompaniment and where appropriate put in the stresses that would have signalled a pull on the heavy ropes.

    Whilst singing we raise money for local charities including the RNLI, regularly singing for their lifeboat naming ceremonies at their headquarters in Poole.

    We enjoy performing our own concerts and have five this year raising money for the RNLI in their 200th year. We love singing at festivals both in this country and in France. We also enjoy putting on workshops to explain the origins and practical uses of shanties and simply getting other people involved and interested.

    Call us to book us. Most of our income goes to local charities, and not to ourselves.

    Wareham Whalers Website

  • Wellington Wailers

    Hailed as ‘Sea Shanty Favourites’ in their native Shoreham-by-Sea, the Wellington Wailers were formed in 2012 by a small group of likeminded ‘sea dogs’ interested in singing traditional shanties. Their repertoire has expanded to include a number of ‘fore-bitters’ and some more bawdy favourites.

    The Wailers regularly fundraise for the RNLI, contributing approaching £9,000 to-date.  At last year’s Festival they collected over £1500 thanks to the efforts of super collectors “Bucket Dave”, Val & Carly at their performances – Keep and eye out for them and dig deep!

    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.

    Wellington Wailers Website

Explore our venues

Decide which venues you want to visit

Falmouth Sea Shanty Festival takes place across the whole town in a variety of pubs, restaurants, outdoor spaces and venues, meaning there is a concert to suit everyone.

SEE MORE
Falmouth Classics 2020

Visitor information

Plan your visit to the festival

Taking place at various locations throughout the town, from pubs and bars to historic courtyards and quays, check out our visitor information section for information on travel, accommodation and food and drink.

SEE MORE