Artists G-K

The Golden Rivets are a group of friends, mostly from Harwich who have been playing and having fun together for many years and hope to keep their name going for many more. 

Based, unsurprisingly, in the Blackwater estuary village of Goldhanger, the Goldhanger Shanty Crew evolved out of the local choir following a sea themed concert in 2017. They have been rantin’ and roarin’ in the Chequers Pub ever since. 

Another “home grown” group, Harwich Shanty Crew evolved from a shanty workshop held at one of our early Festivals. The members of the crew all enjoy singing together and perform at various local sea related events on a regular basis. 

The Harwich Sing Tendring Voices are a community choir made up of kids, teens, adults, veterans, seadogs and the odd scallywag or two.  Captained by Clare Leach who is no swashbuckler and more likely to be three sheets to the wind and shark bait but hey, come along and enjoy the thrill of hearing masses of voices together in harmony.

Proud to be resident shanty crew on board the historic Cutty Sark in Greenwich, The HogEye Men are (probably) London's premier shanty singing group. 

With a huge repertoire of shanties and sea-songs, we joyfully sing such songs as they used to be sung - simply, boldly and loudly! 

Three seasoned folk artists have joined forces. Charlotte Oliver, Corine Nugteren and Martin Judkins share a love of traditional and modern folk songs, and perform with great enthusiasm and a captivating warmth. Charlotte brings her clear voice and concertina playing, Martin his versatility and infectious passion, and Corine her inimitable voice and rhythmic energy.

Hailing from Wivenhoe in North Essex, The Hoolies sing an entertaining mix of traditional shanties and songs of the sea with musical accompaniment on banjo, melodeon, harmonica and guitar. They combine a love of shantying with fundraising for good causes. Their performances include entertaining at Colchester Oyster Fisheries, supporting folk singer John Conolly, performing at a Wine festival in Germany and shanty café in The Netherlands.

Hooligan's Rule are a duo based in Brixham, Devon. They sing songs and play music with a nautical/pirate/folk/Celtic theme on guitar, fiddle, mandolin and bodhran.

They have performed at several pirate festivals including Brixham, Pirates in the Port and Newport and have also played at many maritime festivals in the UK both locally and further afield. 

From our local waters of Walton on the Naze - Essex, Hoy Boy (Pete) is a young(ish) enthusiastic a cappella sea shanty soloist with a passion for maritime folk music. Specialising in rousing uplifting shanties from the golden age of sail that will have you joining in as part of his crew. 

Join Corine and Martin, two masters of the art, and watch them bring this unique percussion instrument, with rich maritime roots, to life! Find out about the history of Jig Dolls and learn how to get the best out these authentic, heritage instruments. You will see those jig dolls tap, beat a rhythm, dance and jump in a captivating, hands on experience. 

Internationally renowned, The Johnson Girls emerged as the premier all-woman shanty and maritime song group when they burst on the scene in 1997. Believing sea music was the first world music, The Johnson Girls remain true to their mission to keep shanty singing and its history alive. Based in New York City, they are widely acclaimed for their powerhouse performances of rousing work songs, sensitive renderings of haunting ballads and laments, and hair-raising harmonies, they sweep their audience along in a tidal fervour.

Just Voices from Hamburg, Germany are regular Harwich visitors, who love the town and its festival. Renate and Jan have performed together for twenty years and have a songbook full of country, folk, pop and rock classics, presented in their own special acoustic style, focussed on two-part vocals and driven by a powerful but melodic rhythm guitar. For the Shanty Festival they come with a bucketful of songs from harbours, rivers and the sea.