"For me, Saltburn stands out against all the other folk festivals and truly is a leading light in the folk / traditional music scene.  
 
This is for a number of reasons. They take risks in not being an ‘identikit’ festival, programming the same old ‘safe’ headliners to guarantee the same audience. They take risks by identifying and championing artists who truly have the tradition at their core, give space to artists who, perhaps, might not receive mainstream attention but deserve a platform, and curating a line up that is diverse, top quality and trailblazing within the scene. 
 
Having played Saltburn Folk Festival once, but marvelling at the line up for a few years now, I can confidently say that I wish more festivals had the same values. They are creating the scene that many of us wish to be a part of!"

"I attended Saltburn Folk Festival in both 2025 and 2026. 

In 2025 I was present as a representative of the North East Endowment for Musical Traditions,  a fund managed by the Community Foundation, which had funded a project  where professional musicians made several visits to a local school working with youngsters who then went on to perform within the Festival. The response from the young people and teachers involved was so positive that NEEMT was happy to fund a similar project in 2026.

In 2026 I attended the festival as a performer and as an observer with some 6 decades of experience in folk festivals, folk performance and education and community participation in the folk field.

From everything I saw at the festival and from what I hear in conversation I can attest that the festival is becoming one of the most significant in the region. Their consistent programming of good young talent alongside more established performers is starting to establish a younger cohort amongst the audience so that the demographic of the whole festival is showing a healthy move towards a more sustainable and balanced age range. The feeling of "this is the place to be" was palpable and the participant numbers at workshops and talks as well as the major concerts was most heartening. There is no doubt in my mind that having a relatively young organising team with a real understanding of the potential of folk and traditional music both in performance and in community participation means that support for this festival is very likely to reap real rewards in terms of refreshing the support for  music making across the community."

"As a musician near the beginning of my career, Saltburn Folk Festival has given me so many valuable opportunities, in multiple different formats. The festival's arrangement with Newcastle University's Folk and Traditional Music degree allowed me to perform  with friends from my cohort, giving us all the valuable performance experience over multiple years.

I have also played at the festival with my main band, Hearken Quartet, giving us the exposure and momentum we needed to start gaining more opportunities at other festivals - this year we played in the dance tent at FolkEast, our biggest gig yet!

I have also performed at Saltburn as part of DIY Ceilidh multiple times. Through this connection I have gained valuable experience facilitating sessions, running workshops for people of varied ages and abilities, and playing in a ceilidh band for hundreds of people. All of these things, and the workshops in particular, have been very valuable for me as I begin to build my career as an aspiring folk music educator."

Dave and Jon both have established and growing reputations on the UK and European folk music circuits, across lineups and initiatives including Varldens Band, ETHNO World, Janice Burns & Jon Doran, Folkworks and more.

As part of our commitment to providing space and a platform for artists to take risks on new projects, Saltburn Folk Festival ringfence at least one performance slot in the programme each year for established artists to showcase a new piece of work or a new band/lineup. In 2026 this featured Dave and Jon, providing them with one of their first live gigs as a duo. As a result of this performance, they have received at least two gig offers for the new project, alongside content for building out their EPK and pitch to other festivals/promoters and venues, and reaching new audiences.

"I loved the relaxed atmosphere of the festival and I felt that the organisers were committed to putting on acts based on their artistry rather than just going with big names.

I loved the other music and the sense of community created.  It was a heart warming and life affirming concert."

"Elinor and the team at Saltburn Folk Festival invited me to act as a Stage Manager in one of the venues (Huntcliff School) at the 2025 festival, having previously performed at the festival in 2023 and 2024 through the Folk Degree Showcase opportunities.
 
This opportunity to engage with the festival "behind the scenes" afforded me with invaluable experience of an aspect of festival organisation that is lesser seen, and therefore, more difficult to develop experience in. 
 
Through this opportunity, I was supported to engage with a range of world-class folk musicians and artists, ensuring that the stage ran smoothly and the artists had everything they needed - providing insights into festival organisation, tour planning, and programming. As I subsequently started work as a booking agent the following autumn, this was ideally timed in supporting me to make this career step.
 
Additionally, through Elinor and the team's confidence in my abilities, I developed greatly in my self confidence, interpersonal skills, and ability to adapt to the situation and think on my feet. Undoubtedly, this opportunity as stage manager was incredibly beneficial as an early career professional, both personally and professionally."

"I have been writing songs for more than 50 years and performing them only for the last 10. I perform them because people want to hear the songs. ​

My songs are universal. But they mean nothing if they just stay in a cardboard box. There, they are just words.
 

The wonderful Saltburn Folk Festival gives my songs a chance to live…. to come to life and to touch the hearts and minds of an audience.

I played a short set of 20 minutes this year, but after my last song the audience were shouting for more and stamping their feet.

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At the age of almost 75 it means the world to me to be able to share my songs and music.

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Thank you Saltburn and all those who tirelessly work to put on this Festival.”