Rye Arts Festival always offers an eclectic mix of non-classical music from around the world and this year is no exception across the three Fridays.
The 2023 festival kicks off on Friday, September 15 with a much-anticipated gig by the English guitarist Martin Simpson, who is returning to Rye after a gap of nearly a decade. The deserving winner of multiple BBC Radio 2 folk awards plays American blues as well traditional English folk and his own compositions. Not surprisingly, tickets are selling fast for his gig.
A week later, also at Rye Community Centre, there is a concert by the Fay Hield Trio. Very sadly, a year ago the sudden death of a close friend to all the band meant they cancelled their 2022 festival gig. But they are honouring their commitment to Rye and are coming on the middle Friday. Fay has one of the finest voices of her generation and she is joined by fiddler Sam Sweeney (once of Bellowhead) and concertina wizard Rob Harbron.
And on Friday, September 29 the community centre will become a hotbed home for Mississippi blues. Singer and guitarist Kelvin Davies is joined by the subtle harmonica skills of Gary Jones. Although both are from these shores, listen to them play and you’ll be transported to the steamy deep south of the USA.
For more information on these and the many other events at the 2023 Rye Arts Festival and to book your tickets go to www.ryeartsfestival.org.uk.
Image Credits: Martin Simpson .