The 59th Annual Philadelphia Folk Festival is Online August 13 – 16th 2020
The Philadelphia Folk Festival announces ELEPHANT SESSIONS, Scottish Quintet to Perform a Special Thursday Camp Stage Show
You can get your tickets now at Folkfest.org
On August 7th, the Philadelphia Folk Festival announced that the incomparable Elephant Sessions is performing a special bonus show for weekend ticket holders.
The Philadelphia Folk Festival is the longest continuously run outdoor music festival in North America. Founded in 1962, the 59th Annual Philadelphia Folk Festival Global Digital Edition occurs August 13th – 16th, 2020. This year #PFF59 takes place online, find out more and #festinplace at folkfest.org.
About this years fest, The Phila Folk Festival says:
“While the technology to deliver this year’s event may be new, the indomitable spirit and culture of the Philadelphia Folk Festival is nearly six decades old. Since its inception, the Festival has been produced nearly exclusively by tireless volunteers. Sheer determination and moxie led to the first event in 1962, and the same can be said of this year’s 59th version. Now, we’re able to welcome our extended Folk Family from around the world, simultaneously continuing vital traditions while creating entirely new ways of connecting and communing.“
The Philadelphia Folk Festival celebrates its 59th Annual event online, Aug 13th – 16th, 2020. This summer’s hottest digital festival promises an extraordinary, once in a lifetime experience to be enjoyed from the comfort of your own home or social bubble. The festival is proud to feature 168 artists spanning eight countries, playing more than 100 hours of music, includes Special tributes to Gene Shay and PFF alumni, John Prine, and a special presentation of the Woody Guthrie Prize to musical legend Joan Baez.
This year, the fabled Martin Stage presents a stellar lineup of top performers, featuring:
- Adia Victoria
- Allen Stone
- Amythyst Kiah
- Aoife O’Donovan
- Ben Gibbard
- Billy Bragg
- Birds of Chicago
- Buffy Sainte-Marie
- Chris Smither
- Courtney Marie Andrews
- Devon Gilfillian
- Eric Bazilian
- Irish Mythen
- Ivan Neville
- John Flynn
- Josh Ritter
- Los Lobos
- Molly Tuttle
- Natalie MacMaster & Donnell Leahy
- Rhiannon Giddens with Francesco Turrisi
- Richard Thompson
- Robert Earl Keen
- Shakey Graves
- Sierra Ferrell
- Steve Forbert
- Susan Werner
- Talisk , Teddy Thompson
- Terri Hendrix & Lloyd Maines
- The Lone Bellow
- The Milk Carton Kids
- Tom Rush
- Trixie Mattel
- Watkins Family Hour
On the Camp Stage, PFF welcomes seven international partner organizations, each presenting a stellar lineup. Culture Ireland, National Arts Centre (Canada), Showcase Scotland Expo, Home Routes/Chemin Chez Nous (Canada), SORI (South Korea), and Wales Arts International – Celfyddydau Rhyngwladol Cymru t. And, dozens of Delaware Valley artists will be showcased on the Front Porch Stage.
The Festival stages run for 12 hours per day, kicking off with some stages beginning at 10am and others at noon. All ticket holders will have exclusive access to archival footage and other bonus content in advance of the event as an incentive to register early.
Thursday night kicks off on the beloved Camp Stage at 8pm with Elephant Sessions, followed by the Campfire Open Mic at 10pm, repeating on Friday and Saturday nights. The winning performance will be offered the opportunity to perform at the 60th Annual PFF in 2021.
All ticket holders, both weekend or single day, will enjoy all three stages, The Martin, Camp Stage and Front Porch, fully integrated chat features, campfire open mics, Zoom campsites, food and merchandise tents and you can even pause.
Watching the Festival is easy, it can be streamed on any device with a web browser. For those not sure how to stream online, or for any other questions about “how to”, there will be over 20 PFS volunteers answering live chat questions in real time at folkfest.org, making set up a breeze for any skill level.
The platform went live on Aug 4th and weekend ticket purchasers were invited to #checkyourtech by logging in and “test driving” the platform by watching PFS archival footage. Day ticket holders can #checkyourtech on Saturday August 10th, well in advance of the festival weekend as well. Tech volunteers are standing by to help viewers log in, navigate the site or set up their equipment, just click the NEED HELP button at folkfest.org.
Just Announced:
Elephant Sessions Scottish Quintet to Perform Special Thursday Camp Stage Show
Elephant Sessions – Hailing from the Scottish Highlands, the multiple-award winning five piece will kick off the festival weekend, in addition to their Sunday spot via Postcards from Scotland. Radiating an indie/ new-trad fusion of sound, their music is high energy. Winners of BBCs “Live Act of the Year” in 2018 and current nominees for The Scottish Album of the Year Award they are the perfect band to recreate the excitement of the Thursday night Camp Stage at this year’s online festival.
This band was to have closed out the Camp Stage last year, but due to unforeseen circumstances, were unable to attend. Now, after more than a year of anticipation, Weekend Festival-goers will not have to wait any longer as they will be treated to footage never before seen in North America!
Rolling Stone Magazine“These Scots are using instruments like weapons to destroy clichés. WE LOVE THEM.“
Elephant Session is composed of Euan Smillie (fiddle), Alasdair Taylor (mandolin), Mark Bruce (guitar), Seth Tinsley (bass, synth) and Greg Barry (drums, samples).
Starting out in 2012 as best newcomers at the BBC Scotland Trad Music Awards the band create a progressive blend of intricate tunes on fiddle and mandolin with engulfing guitars, bass and drum heavy backline; their music combines the very best of trad, funk and electronica. Gigging extensively around the UK, they swiftly built a fan base performing at some of the most prestigious European Festivals. Their latest album “What Makes You’ was released in 2019 and charted both in Europe and Australia, with the band making live appearances at some of the most notable venues and festivals across the world including Glastonbury (UK), Byron Bay Bluesfest (Aus) Colours of Ostrava (Czch) and multiple headline sell-outs at Celtic Connections (Sco). Described as a band who defy genres and challenge preconceptions, they have transformed traditional music in the best possible way!
The Philadelphia Folk Festival is offering this special show to recreate the magic of opening night by continuing the tradition of the Thursday night Camp Stage and Campfire Open Mic.
Tickets
A SINGLE DAY TICKET $25 grants access to one day of programming, all stages, includes all ticket holder benefits; plus access to PFS archival footage for up to 7 days post fest. Logins work on one device at a time. Single day ticket purchasers do not have access to Thursday’s kick off show(s).
Weekend ticket buyers will have access to all Thursday evening programming, which includes Elephant Sessions as well as another surprise yet-to-be announced set, followed by the Open-Mic Campfire Session at 10pm.
$25 USD per day, purchase tickets by day for:
- Fri – Aug 14th
- Sat – Aug 15th
- Sun – Aug 16th
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