News...

2011 Festival Dates - 13th-17th July

Dates for Larmer Tree 2011 are set for 13th-17th July.  Put them in your diary now so you don’t forget!  If you'd like to be the first to know when tickets go on sale, sign up to our e-mail list.  We’ll let you know as soon as ticket sales open later this year, just watch this space. 

Larmer Tree Photo Comp 2010 - Voting Live!

We've received so many entries for the 2010 Photo Competition, thank you to all of you who took part.  It’s been great fun looking through your photo memories of the 20th festival and we’ve now managed to whittle it down to a shortlist of our favourite pics to be entered into a public online vote. 

Voting is now live to find the lucky winner of two 3-day tickets for Larmer Tree 2011, so click here to cast your vote!  There’s an incentive for you too as when you vote you’ll be in with a chance of winning an exclusive limited edition 20th Anniversary Larmer Tree Jacknife Poster!

Give Us Your Opinion and Win Tickets for 2011!

All the feedback we’ve had so far is saying that this year was the best ever Larmer Tree Festival, and we’re very happy to agree with that!  We'd love to hear about your highlights of the festival and other feedback too, so please take part in Our 20th Festival Poll and share your experiences - all completed polls will be entered into a draw to win two 5-day tickets for Larmer Tree Festival 2011.

You can re-live the festival and bring back lots of great memories by checking out our Gallery - there’s just a few pics so far, but lots more will be added over the next week, so keep checking back to see if you can spot yourself!

Can’t believe it’s all over!

Our 20th festival is sadly all over, we had a ball and basked in glorious sunshine on Saturday and Sunday (after slightly less summery weather before that!)  Some of our personal highlights were… Babylon Circus, James Yuill, Chavo in The Social, David O’Doherty, The Joker & The Thief, Tunng, The Wardens, The DukesBox, Martha Wainwright, Dougal and the Blue Cat, Smerins Anti-Social Club and The Penny Black Remedy. 

We’ll be asking you for your highlights and other feedback very soon, please make sure you’re signed up to our e-mail list to receive it.

Here we go… for the 20th Time!

The first day of the festival is underway and the sun is shining!  From now on check Twitter and Facebook for all the latest news and info.  Enjoy!

3-day & 4-day tickets sold out!

Sorry, but all 3-day and 4-day tickets are now sold out.  There’s still chance to experience some Larmer Tree Festival magic on Thursday 15th July when the line-up includes Robert Cray, Frank Turner, Easy Star All-Stars, RSVP, Comedy Club (Rich Hall, Pappy's, Joe Lycett), Mark Kermode’s Film Club and much, much more!

Or join us on Sunday 18th July for Martha Wainwright, Ade Edmondson & The Bad Shepherds, The Unthanks, Hypnotic Brass Ensemble, Rango, Grass Mountain Hobos, Comedy Club (Jon Richardson, Craig Campbell, Jason Cook, Tony Law), the Orchestral Manoeuvres Carnival Procession and loads more!  

Click here for the full line-ups for Thursday and Sunday.  Don’t forget you can still camp for free with a day ticket!  Click here to book right now!

We're Moving On Site... Last Minute Plans!

We’re packing up the office to move to site and we’re up to our eyes in list after list, but here’s one for you… a Last Minute Checklist for all the essential info you may need for planning your festival. 

Don’t forget the lovely BookCrossing people are back this year, and they are including children’s books too!  Have a look at www.bookcrossing.com to see what’s waiting for you, and don’t forget to bring a book or two to ‘release’ yourself – please drop them off at the Info Tent for tagging.

We’ve rearranged the tent campsite car park slightly this year to allow for better access - to have a look at the map click here. 

Our last newsletter has just gone out, so from now on please follow us on Twitter at LarmerTreeFest (please now use the hashtag #larmertree for all your tweets!) and Facebook or here on the homepage  to watch as the Larmer Tree Gardens are transformed into the Larmer Tree Festival before your very eyes!   Then keep tuned in for news, gossip and any changes once the festival starts.

Weekend Tickets Close to Selling Out!

There are currently only a very limited number of 4-day, 3-day, Thursday and Sunday tickets available (we’ve already sold out of 5-day tickets and day tickets for Wednesday, Friday and Saturday), so if you haven’t already got yours, please don’t leave it too late!  You still have a chance to see Toots and the Maytals, Martha Wainwright, Robert Cray, Toumani Diabaté, Frank Turner, Russell Howard, Oysterband, Rich Hall, Cornershop, The Unthanks, Tunng, Shooglenifty, Ade Edmondson & The Bad Shepherds and many, many more!  See our What's On Pages to see who’s playing when and click here to book right now!

Mark Kermode's Film Club... the full list of Mark Kermode’s all time favourite films has now been announced and there is something there for absolutely everyone!  Click here and select ‘Film Club’ for the full list of films to be shown in our intimate Club Larmer venue.  Mark will be there to personally introduce some of the films and on Sunday night, he and his band The Dodge Brothers will perform a live musical accompaniment to silent classic Beggars of Life.

It's all in the detail...

Not content with all the music, comedy, street theatre, film and workshops… we just can’t resist throwing in a few little extras, here’s just a few:

This year look out for the guys from Sounds of the Campervan.  It’s a brand new project which will see as many great bands as they can muster come together to record a song or two in, yes you guessed it, their campervan!  You can look on as acts big and small, cram themselves into the van and play.  The finished product will be uploaded to their website for the world to hear!

Hidden in away in the nooks and crannies of the beautiful Larmer Tree Gardens will be amazing works of Site Art by unique and talented artists from across the country.  Continuing the creativity, this year we have our very own Artist in Residence - Olivia Keith.  Olivia will be on hand to create large scale, fluid drawings to truly capture the unique atmosphere of the festival.  Click here for more info.

And finally, don’t forget ‘Book-a-Like’ Dress-up Saturday - expect a huge array of crazy and colourful costumes as everyone dresses up as their favourite literary characters.  Whether you’re a wand toting wizard or a bonnet bearing Austen maiden, you have the perfect excuse to indulge any of your ‘novel’ costume ideas!  Click here for more info.

That’s just a tiny taste of what’s on offer, for full details see our What's On pages.

Family Frolics...

We’ve just announced the line-up of activities, shows and workshops we’ve got planned for children, youths and families at the festival.  The Orchestral Manoeuvres Carnival Procession for all ages will be a highlight on Sunday, The YouthZone returns with a Bollywood Dance master class, Shelter Building, Drama Improv Games, and much more.  On the Larmer Lawns, kids aged 0-10 can take part in a huge variety of craft sessions, enjoy music from Bayou Seco and puppet shows and have a go at Capoeira!

For a little break from the music, take a stroll through Lostwood - our secret retreat for storytelling and poetry - to experience bespoke songwriting from Lyrical Laureate Paul Armfield, storytelling from O’Hooley & Tidow and Late Night Ghost Stories plus loads more!

That’s just a tiny taste of what’s on offer, for full details see our What's On pages.

Comfy Camping

We have some new comfy camping options on offer for you: Hotel Bell Tent and Luxury Campervans are now available, as well as our regular tipis from Wigwam Sam.  We’re also pleased to announce that Mr Trolley will be at the festival to help ease your load when you're unpacking all your stuff in the campsite.  See our Camping page for full details.

Workshops for Adults programme announced!

We’re delighted to unveil our interactive workshop programme for adults, featuring all sorts of sessions to leave you with lasting memories and maybe a new skill or two!  Highlights include DJeilidh - a ceilidh with a twist… from polka to Prince, Gallop to Gaga - Mojo and fRoots award winning singer Jim Moray fuses an entire world of music together, while the crown prince of the eCeilidh scene Phil Bassindale calls the dances!

You can also try your hands (and feet) at an array of other exciting dances, including Samba Reggae, Merengue, and Biodanza . There are also workshops in instruments such as mini-melodeon, bodhran and samba drumming.  

For the artistic souls among you there’s the ever popular Hands On! an unmissable assortment of crafts to get those creative juices flowing!  Also returning is Adornable Art, your chance to collaborate with our artists to help create installations to adorn the festival for everyone to admire!

See our For Adults What's On pages for the full line-up.

Tickets - Don’t Dilly-Dally!

Some ticket types are now running extremely low, so if you're planning to come along, we recommend you don't dilly-dally, Click here to book right now!

To help you decide which tickets to buy… the finer details of the music programme are now 100% confirmed, so all of the stage times have been announced - click here to find out when your must-see band is playing and start planning your festival diary now!

Street Theatre plus Club Larmer Talks & Theatre - full programme announced!

As it’s our 20^th anniversary year we’ve gone really mad on street theatre - booking more than ever!  We’re bringing back the most requested street act ever - The Dukesbox, plus the much-loved (Mis)Guided Tour guys.  We’re also delighted to present Pleasure Garden by Hoodwink, a very special piece of outdoor theatre which was actually inspired by the Larmer Tree Gardens! 

This year we’re turning our Club Larmer venue (in the Victorian pavilion) over to small-scale theatre and talks during the day.  Included in the talks line-up is the legendary DJ Johnnie Walker, Oysterband’s John Jones, Chumbawamba and BAFTA nominated animator Greg McLeod.  The theatre programme includes the fantastic Fringe hit - one-man show Bane, the quirky Charity Shop Cabaret and totally bonkers How To Survive A Zombie Apocalypse!

Click here to book now, or see our What's On pages for full line-up details... 

Comedy Line-Up now complete!

We've been to see over 100 comedians perform live since last year's festival and handpicked the very best for you - some established names you'll definitely recognise, but equally as exciting - some rising stars!  We’re delighted to announce that our final headliner, for Sunday night is 2009 Edinburgh Comedy Award nominated, the grumpy, but equally charming Jon Richardson!

Click here to book now, or see our What's On pages for the final Comedy Club line-up...

Brand New! Mark Kermode’s Film Club

We’re delighted to announce that the UK’s most opinionated and outspoken film critic is set to curate an intimate film event at our 20th anniversary festival!  Each evening from Thursday to Sunday in Club Larmer we will screen double bills of some of Mark’s all time favourite films - sci fi, fantasy, rare cult movies, rock docs, silent film and family features will all be part of the mix. The highlight will be on the last night when Mark’s band, The Dodge Brothers will perform an exclusive live musical accompaniment to the 1928 silent movie Beggars of Life.

Mark and his band have a long running relationship with the festival; he says: “As a long-time Larmer Tree regular, I’m thrilled to be hosting this film club which brings together my two greatest passions - movies and music - and celebrates the strange magic of the moving image for audiences of all ages.”

Click here to book now, or see our What's On pages for more information...

Music Line-up now complete!

Phew… the music line-up is now finished!  We’re so pleased to announce that fast rising, folk/punk artist Frank Turner and French ska outfit Babylon Circus are the final acts to be added to our 20th anniversary Larmer line-up!  Founder and Co-director James Shepard says: “We were extremely keen to get Frank on the bill.  After his recent sell out tour of the country, we’re so happy one the UK’s hardest working musicians has chosen to spend part of his summer with us!  The addition of Babylon Circus once again shows the incredible range of acts we programme - it’s going to be an unforgettable festival!”

See Just Booked below for other recent band confirmations.

Click here to book now, or see our What's On pages for full info on who’s playing and when...

Band bookings almost complete ...

We are busy tweaking the music line-up and putting the finishing touches to it.  We're really pleased to have confirmed that DJ Derek will join Toots and the Maytals on Friday's bill - what a night that's going to be! Watch this space, as fingers crossed, we should be announcing another couple of very exciting names any day now!

See below for who's been booked most recently…

Click here to book now, or go to our What's On pages for more details.

Headliner Booking Frenzy!

We’re really excited to announce the final headliners for this year’s festival!  Martha Wainwright will be bringing her celebrated style of folk-rock to Sunday night, and on Saturday, Grammy award winning kora player Toumani Diabaté is set to top the bill!  Plus an exclusive set from Russell Howard in Friday night's Comedy Club!

See below for more artists just booked…

Click here to book now, or go to our What's On pages for more details.

April Acoustic Cafe

Join us for our the last Acoustic Cafe of the season this Saturday 17^th April, in association with Salisbury Arts Centre, featuring Skip ‘Little Axe’ McDonald, with support from Owl in the Sun.

For more info and to book tickets (available at £10) please click here to visit the Salisbury Arts Centre website or call their Box Office on 01722 321744.  The music begins from 8.30pm (bar open 8pm). 

First Comedy Club Line-Up Announcements!

After it's hugely successful debut last year, the Comedy Club is back and we're over the moon to announce that the first names booked so far are: American comedian, writer and general grumpy guy Rich Hall, Irish born stand-up comedian, musician and actor David O’Doherty and English sketch-comedy team Pappy’s.

Also confirmed are recent winner at the 2010 Chortle Awards for Best Newcomer Joe Lycett, stand-up comedian Jason Cook infamous for exposing his own shameful past behaviour, and West country oddball with suitably extreme pink hair, Wil Hodgson.

See our What's On pages for more details and performance days.

Larmer Tree Through A Lens Exhibition

We were thrilled at the hugely successful start to the opening of the Larmer Tree Through A Lens exhibition on Wednesday 15th March at Salisbury Arts Centre, with entertainment from Chris Woodford.

Celebrating 20 years of Larmer Tree Festival, the photographic exhibition showcases evocative work by three of the festival’s official photographers: Brian Jones, Brent Jones and The Little Photo Company and runs until 10th April.

We thoroughly recommend a visit…

Newton Faulkner Confirmed!

We're delighted to announce that critically acclaimed Newton Faulkner will take to the stage before headline act Jools Holland and his Rhythm and Blues Orchestra on Wednesday 14th July. Well known for tapping, finger-picking and hitting the guitar, he will also treat audiences to a more intimate late-night set on the ARC Stage.

For more info, please visit www.myspace.com/newtonfaulkner.

Also just confirmed: Ian King, Tankus the Henge, Ruth Theodore, Walsh & Pound and Chavo.

March Acoustic Cafe

Join us for our next Acoustic Cafe on 20th March, in association with Salisbury Arts Centre, featuring Jonny Kearney and Lucy Farrell.

Jonny and Lucy opened for The Unthanks on their recent 40-date UK tour, prompting Rachel Unthank to describe Jonny's songwriting as "heartbreaking and touching."

Find out more at www.myspace.com/jonnykearneyandlucyfarrell.

Support comes from the talented Ruth Theodore, whose descriptive and cryptic music has gained her much recognition.

Find out more at www.myspace.com/ruththeodore.

The music begins from 8.30pm (bar open 8pm) and tickets are available at £10 from the Salisbury Arts Centre Box Office, call 01722 321744.

Martin Harley doesn't fail to impress

Our series of intimate Acoustic Café evenings, in association with Salisbury Arts Centre, continue to be a huge success with our second of 2010 a sell out.

Stunning the audience with phenomenal slide, rhythm and lead guitar skills, Martin Harley played an impressive set, finishing with the ever-popular Chocolate Jesus. Travelling for much of his 20s, mostly in Australia, he has rightfully earned an impressive army of fans.

Support came from classically trained Will McNicol who, at 20 years old with three albums already under his belt, has an extremely promising future ahead of him.

Stay tuned for more info on the next Acoustic Café on Saturday 20th March with Jonny Kearney and Lucy Farrell, with support from Ruth Theodore.

Two Headliners Confirmed!

We’re delighted to reveal that our Friday headliner is Toots and the Maytals. Toots is a true legend who has played a key role in the colourful history of reggae and we're over the moon to that he's going to help us celebrate our 20th anniversary. The multi-Grammy winning American bluesman Robert Cray & his Band will be headlining on Thursday night. Another piece of exciting news is that Alison Moyet will be joining Jools Holland and his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra on Wednesday night.

See below for more exciting line-up additions...

To read more about the bands and see the full line-up so far go see our What's On pages.

We are still working hard to book headliners for Saturday and Sunday. But don't worry, you'll be the first to know when they are confirmed!

Line-up Rumours!

Yes the rumours are right, we've very nearly confirmed two very exciting new headliners that we hope to announce very soon! Sign up to our e-mail list to be the first to know.

Visit our What’s On page to see acts confirmed so far.

Next Salisbury Arts Centre Acoustic Café

Our next intimate Acoustic Café evening, in association with Salisbury Arts Centre, is on Saturday 20th February with headliner Martin Harley and support from Will McNicol.

Mesmerising contemporary blues and Americana performer, Martin Harley is a 'troubadour' in the truest sense of the word. Travelling in his early 20s armed with only a cheap guitar, he has earned an army of fans around the world including BBC Radio 2 presenter Johnnie Walker. Since November 2008 Martin has opened most UK shows for Brit Award winner James Morrison as well as many performances on the festival circuit including Larmer Tree Festival. Find out more at www.myspace.com/martinharleyband.

Support comes from Will McNicol who began playing guitar at 7 years old. Now 20, classically trained McNicol has recorded four albums of original material. Find out more at www.myspace.com/willmcnicol.

Music begins from 8.30pm (bar open 8pm) and tickets are available at £10 from the Salisbury Arts Centre Box Office, call 01722 321744.

Calling all Artists and Craftspeople!

The Artists' Quarter returns to Larmer Tree for the eighth year and we’re looking for a limited number of interesting artists and craftspeople to exhibit and sell their work. Located in a large marquee in the Village area of the festival, the space is shared with Reg's Artscaf - selling tea, coffee, breakfasts and some very delicious brownies!

If you are interested in applying for a stall, please click here http://www.larmertreefestival.co.uk/traders.html

Chumbawamba confirmed to play Saturday!

Best known for their smash-hit Tubthumping in 1997, Chumbawamba, whose impressive career spans 27 years, are set to play for the first time at Larmer Tree's 20th festival this July. With an eclectic style varying from anarcho-punk and dance music to a cappella and acoustic folk, they are sure not to disappoint. Watch out for their new album ABCDEFG to be released in March 2010.

Book your tickets now at www.larmertreefestival.co.uk/tickets!

Imagined Village at Salisbury City Hall

This Sunday, the Larmer Tree team is venturing out to the City Hall in Salisbury to see stunning folk project The Imagined Village. Winner of best traditional song at the BBC Radio Folk Awards 2008, this musical project produces folk music with a contemporary edge.

Including founder and Grammy Award winning musician Simon Emmerson, the outstanding and varied line-up consists of Martin Carthy, Eliza Carthy and Chris Wood. Described by Observer Music Magazine as “mischievous and tender” and “sad and surreal”, don’t miss it!

There are still a few tickets left, buy yours now at www.cityhallsalisbury.co.uk. See you there!

First Acoustic Cafe of 2010 featuring O'Hooley and Tidow huge success!

Our first Acoustic Café of 2010 (16th January), in conjunction with Salisbury Arts Centre, was a huge success with another capacity crowd, including members of the Larmer Tree team who thoroughly loved both acts. Headliners Belinda O’Hooley and Heidi Tidow took to the stage after support from Alice Watts whose haunting and beautiful melodies from debut album Your World captivated the audience.

O’Hooley’s heartfelt piano arrangements accompanied the traditional style of vocals superbly; with their stage presence being second to none. Their Yorkshire comedy thoroughly entertained the audience, juxtaposed with moving tracks from album Silent June, due for release later on in the year.

Don’t miss the next Acoustic Café, which will take place on Saturday 20th February with Martin Harley. Find out more by visiting www.myspace.com/martinharleyband. Tickets are available now (£10) from Salisbury Arts Centre Box Office on 01722 321744.

Salisbury Arts Centre Acoustic Cafe is back!

Our intimate Acoustic Café evenings, in association with Salisbury Arts Centre, are back for 2010 starting this Saturday 16th January with O'Hooley & Tidow.

Since leaving The Unthanks, Belinda O'Hooley’s stark, haunting piano arrangements she brought to Mercury nominated album The Bairns have evolved to fit her new duo with Yorkshire songwriter Heidi Tidow.  Their debut album Silent June is due to be released early 2010.  Find out more by visiting www.myspace.com/belindaohooleymusic.  Support comes from Alice Watts whose debut album Your World echoes a variety of influences from deep smooth soul and tender folk blues to playful Caribbean rhythms.  Find out more at www.myspace.com/alicewatts.

The music begins from 8.30pm (bar open 8pm) and tickets are available at £10 from the Salisbury Arts Centre Box Office, call 01722 321744.

The next Acoustic Café will take place on Saturday 20th February with Martin Harley and tickets are available now.

All Child and Youth Prices Held…

The Larmer Tree team wish you a very Happy New Year… and we look forward to seeing you for a fantastic 20th Larmer Tree Festival from Wednesday 14th-Sunday 18th July 2010.

We’re really pleased to announce that our early bird offer of tickets at ’09 prices will continue for all child and youth tickets until the end of May, and as usual under 5s are still free of charge.  Child and youth ticket numbers are limited to ensure there’s space for little tots and teenagers alike to enjoy all of the 150 free workshops, shows and activities especially for them.  All tickets sold out in advance last year so please make sure you book soon to avoid disappointment!  All new prices will be held only until 31st May.

Don’t forget the Larmer Tree Festival ticket price includes all parking, camping for tents and caravans!  Buy tickets online, call 023 8071 1820 or see our Tickets page for info on how to book by post.

Jools Holland returns to Larmer Tree!

Our 20th anniversary wouldn't be the same without the inimitable presence of Jools Holland and his wonderful Orchestra - we’re so pleased to welcome him back to the gardens for another unforgettable night of boogie woogie, banter and a good old bop on Wednesday 14th July!  Alongside his outstanding musicians will be another special treat for you, so keep your eyes peeled for his special guest announcement.  See more of the latest Just Booked artists below…

Tickets are still held at 2009 prices until 31st December, so book now online, call 023 8071 1820 or for postal options click here.  Tickets can still be bought now in time for last minute special Christmas presents for family and friends!  (Last postage for Christmas, special delivery 23rd December.)

Tickets On Sale - ‘09 Prices Held Until 31st Dec!

We’re delighted to announce that tickets are now on sale for the 20th Larmer Tree Festival.  We'll be holding all tickets at 2009 prices until 31st December, so get them while they’re hot!  Also, if you book in the next three weeks you’ll receive your tickets in time for Christmas - the perfect present for that hard-to-buy-for person! 

To celebrate this landmark 20th year we’ve got lots of special 20th anniversary tricks and surprises up our sleeves, so it’s one definitely not to be missed!  Don’t forget the Larmer Tree Festival ticket price includes all parking, camping for tents and caravans, and once again under 5s are free! 

Buy tickets online, call 023 8071 1820 or see our Tickets page for info on how to book by post. 

December Acoustic Cafe - Nick Harper

The first two monthly Acoustic Cafés at Salisbury Arts Centre were a huge success!  Read on for details of the next Acoustic Café evening in December...

Performing on Saturday 19th December will be friend of Larmer Tree Festival, Nick Harper, who has been dazzling audiences with his vocal and songwriting talents for over a decade. Hear Nick at www.myspace.com/harperspace. Support will be from Dorset duo Glowglobes, who are on a mission to bring romance back to the world! Listen to the duo at www.myspace.com/glowglobes.

Why not take an evening off from Christmas preparations and treat yourselves? All tickets are £10 and can be booked by calling the Salisbury Arts Centre Box Office on 01722 321744. The music begins at 8.30pm (bar opens 8pm). We'll see you there!

November Acoustic Cafe - Martha Tilston

The first monthly Acoustic Café in conjunction with Salisbury Arts Centre in October was a huge success! We're now pleased to announce the line-up for November...

Joining us for the next Acoustic Cafe on Saturday 21st November will be singer-songwriter Martha Tilston who has performed rapturously received sets at Larmer Tree '05 and ’06.  Listen to Martha at www.myspace.com/marthatilston. Supporting will be Dorset based roots songsmith Alex Roberts, blending genres from baroque to blues, on vocals and guitar, with some fine lap-steel, mandolin, harmonica, and stomp-boxing to boot, listen at www.myspace.com/alexrobertsmusic.

Why not take an evening off from Christmas preparations and treat yourselves? All tickets are £10 and can be booked by calling the Salisbury Arts Centre Box Office on 01722 321744. The music begins at 8.30pm (bar opens 8pm). We'll see you there!

Larmer Tree Moves Indoors!

We're really excited to be joining forces with Salisbury Arts Centre to present a series of intimate monthly Acoustic Cafe nights beginning this Saturday...

Starting the series in style on 17th October are Emily Barker & The Red Clay Halo. Emily hails from a remote south west corner of Western Australia and is joined by The Red Clay Halo, a trio playing violin, cello, accordion and flute, with backing vocals creating mesmerising 4-part harmonies. Together thay have played Glastonbury, Cambridge Folk Festival and the Big Session, and supported the likes of Jose Gonzalez and Tony Joe White. Find out more and listen to the group at www.myspace.com/emilybarker.

Supporting the band will be Salisbury's own Mary Spender, who in 2008 opened the Big Top at Larmer Tree and earlier this year released her latest album Mirrors.