Artists Q-Z

Rattlin' Winches have been singing for many years at local events and shanty festivals. They sing traditional shanties of a maritime origin. 

Rebecca is a seasoned musician and workshop leader and has spent her time being an author, singer and a headteacher (amongst other things). She is looking forward to bringing some shanties to life for the next generation of singers at the festival at two family workshops on Saturday and Sunday morning. Expect a lot of fun, a smattering of French, a soupçon of harmony, and a red accordion.

Roughedge Carousers are from Rowhedge on the banks of the Colne in North Essex. We were first formed just before the first lockdown, initially as an all male crew. After various comings and goings we've ended up as a fairly equal split between male and female singers . We sing traditional shanties and songs of the sea. The crew has close links with Colchester Brewery and sings regularly at the Odd One Out in Colchester and at the brewery open days.

Pete Morton is a singer and entertainer who is often referred to as an old time troubadour. He delivers an unruly, freewheeling mix of storytelling, comedy and song that weaves its way around the folk tradition. His new show ‘Sailor Swift’ is a tour de force, that has been described as a happy mixture of music hall, pantomine, standup comedy, rowdy back room folk clubs, with moments of utter beauty and breathtaking audacity. It is a unique experience. Full of laughter, singalongs, history, poetry, philosophy and life affirming fun. 

Salt Water and Beer are Maldon's longest established Shanty band, having started in 1995 singing on the Hythe for the Regatta. There have been many changes over the decades but they remain an enthusiastic crew and will raise a sea-shandy glass to many more years singing together. 

This happy band of land locked heroes hail from the heart of Surrey. For the last 4 years they have been entertaining the pub and festival crowds around Dorking, Leatherhead and Reigate with their particular brand of traditional shanties, sea songs and one or two of their own. Regular visitors to Harwich previously busking and joining in the sing around sessions. 

South Suffolk’s very own shanty crew ShantyFolk have been singing together since 2014 when, as part of a community choir, they were asked to do ‘something different’ for a performance. They bring their love of harmonies to rousing shanties and songs of the sea and, despite being landlubbers, can now talk confidently about halyards, capstans and Cape Horn! 

Shotley Wailers: born in Shotley and made by the sea. The Wailers love to sing and play and their salty musical singing bond drives them along.  The group has a rich and authentic shipping history amongst them which they say are vital ingredients as to why the Wailers continue to thrive and perform. They sing out from the Shotley Sailing Club on Monday nights, adjacent to the old Ganges. 

The Singing Sailors are a collection of singers and musicians mostly from the South East of England, drawn together by a common love of singing and sailing. They are affiliated with the Thames Sailing Barge Trust, a registered charity (https://bargetrust.org/) in Maldon, Essex.  They sing at venues across the South East coast, on barge charters, and in Maldon itself. Their late night sessions at the festival are, by all accounts, legendary. 

Spinnaker Shanty was formed in 2017 and their current line-up has existed since 2023. They regularly perform at pubs and clubs as well as at festivals. They also run shanty workshops and give private performances. 

Looking for lively entertainment? With their own unique style of performing traditional shanties and contemporary maritime songs with a lively, upbeat, foot-tapping twist, you are cordially invited to join all the fun of a Swinging the Lead performance. Resident Shanty Singers on the famous tea clipper ‘Cutty Sark’ at her dry berth in Greenwich since 2011 and regularly performing at festivals in the UK and Europe, Simon, Andy, Pete, Paul and TC are firmly established and highly respected within the Sea Shanty community. 

Two Bitts describe themselves as 'two mates who have been singing and playing together since time immoral.' 😆 They have run folk club sessions for the last two years of the festival. These provide a chance for anyone to sing songs and play tunes new or old in a quiet supportive atmosphere. Try out something new or just come along and listen.

Ian and Dave have been singing and playing together for more years than either will readily admit to. They bring to the stage a wealth of experience performing, touring and researching traditional songs & music. They offer an irresistible repertoire of unusual songs and tunes, many with a maritime flavour and with opportunities to join in. Their comfortable and relaxed style creates the perfect setting for their commitment to the material and their consummate musicianship. Their first album Rogues & Rovers appeared in 2018. 

The Wilson Family is an English folk music group from Billingham, Teesside. They have been singing and performing a cappella folk songs since 1974. Over those decades the group members have consisted of sister Pat and five brothers: Tom, Chris, Steve, Ken and Mike, and the present-day group members are Tom, Chris, Steve and Mike.

The accepted benchmark for powerhouse unaccompanied singing, they were awarded the Gold Badge of the English Folk Dance & Song Society (EFDSS) in 2017, the highest honour the society can bestow.

In addition to performing as a group, The Wilson Family promote and encourage the development of folksong, by continuing to host one of the longest established uninterrupted weekly Folk Club gatherings in the UK “The Welly Folk Club”, and as Patrons of the highly regarded Durham Folk Festival (formerly Hartlepool Folk Festival).