Sunday – Martyrs’ Day
On Sunday, the tiny village of Tolpuddle gets even more visitors as they arrive to take part in the big procession to commemorate the Martyrs. The road is closed from 13.00 – 18.00 to allow for the many unions banners march through the narrow road.
Great music keeps the vibe of the Festival going as we also welcome some big trade unionists to rally the thousands of visitors on the Main Stage.
You can download a copy of the full programme here.
Timetable
NASUWT’s Kids Area is open 9:00 – 17:00.
9:45 Unite Marquee
10:00 Tolpuddle Fringe
11:00 Main Stage – Du Glas
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Songs of miners, mutiny and murder; starvation, sirens and smugglers, that’s what you get with this bunch of Cornish renegades. Du Glas offer their own brand of original roots music, combining influences from Americana and British folk-rock, inspired by the people and stories of their native land. Their energy, humour and love of gin has incited such madness that audiences have thrown away their pints, danced in a downpour and bounced on the bar like a Bruckheimer film (you know the one we mean). You’d be a fool to miss it! |
11:00 Martyrs’ Marquee – Dryadic
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Emerging Bristol folk-roots sensation, Dryadic, deliver an infectious blend of rootsy folk with a melodic pop flair on strings, keys and stomp, peppered with heart soaring vocals and vibrant fiddle licks. Expect a rhythmical mix-up of stomping feminist protest songs to travelling folk tales to dreamy, epic ballads with candid, hilarious, queer lyrics and five-string fiddles with oversized (double) bass guitars do-si-do-ing with the audience! Their new single ‘Smiling in the Dark’ is a joyful, effervescent love song that’s unapologetically queer and brimming with energy. |
11:00 St John’s Parish Church
11:00 Tolpuddle Fringe
11:40 Martyrs’ Marquee – Peter Vadiveloo
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Hailing from Australia, Peter’s songwriting is characterized by its thought-provoking nature. His lyrics delve into a wide range of topics, and listeners have described them as political, funny, provocative, playful, moving, and thought-provoking. His songs primarily revolve around environmental and social justice issues, highlighting his commitment to raising awareness and promoting positive change through his music.
What sets Peter apart is his diverse musical repertoire. Drawing from his lifelong experience, he seamlessly incorporates an astonishing array of genres into his songs. From rock/pop, funk, jazz, and flamenco to comedy cabaret, musical theatre, opera, folk, Latino and Afro-Cuban music, Peter’s versatility knows no bounds. This eclectic fusion of styles allows him to create a unique and captivating musical experience for his listeners. |
11:55 Main Stage – Speit
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Speit is a UK-born Palestinian hip hop and spoken word artist who visits the West Bank yearly and is inspired to become the voice of freedom – standing up and speaking out for all those without a voice. 🇵🇸 ✊ Exciting, energising, poignant and highly relevant. |
12:20 Martyrs’ Marquee – Susie Lewis
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Susie Lewis is a singer songwriter and actor from Cornwall, UK. She has worked in theatre, film and television. In recent years, Susie has released three solo albums on Four Monkeys Records to critical acclaim and streaming success. Her songs are poignant, often humorous and reflect the world we live in today. Within trade union circles she is best known for her RMT campaign song ‘Last Train Home’. |
12:30 Main Stage: Speakers
13:00 Main Stage – Angeline Morrison
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Angeline is one of the freshest voices in English folk music today, celebrated for her soulful, resonant voice, evocative songwriting, and deeply affecting performances. Her artistry has earned standing ovations on stages large and small, with Mojo ranking her #5 among key voices of 2023.
A singer, multi-instrumentalist and songwriter, Angeline’s music explores ordinary lives with reverence and curiosity. Accompanying herself on autoharp, dulcimer, and mbira, or singing unaccompanied, she delivers performances that linger long in memory. The Birmingham born-musician is now settled in Cornwall, where she is an active figure in the local music scene. |
13:00 Martyrs Marquee – Chris Harrison
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Chris Harrison is a musician and composer who grew up in the North East and is now based in London. After a career in music education, he has turned his attention to making more of his own music and to developing music-making within his local community, where he runs an instrumental band and a singing group and conducts a community orchestra.
His set at this festival will largely feature his own settings of poems by his great-great-grandfather, Joseph Skipsey (1832-1903). Skipsey was a Northumberland miner who taught himself to read and write and became a nationally respected poet. His work includes a poem on the Hartley Calamity of 1862, which he himself recited at events to raise money for the families of the 203 miners killed in the tragedy. This song will be included in the performance at Tolpuddle. Overall, the songs – recorded under the title of Carols from the Coalfields – offer a vivid picture of the life and times of the mining community in the north-east. |
13:00 Wreath Laying ceremony at James Hammett’s grave
14:00 PROCESSION
15:15: Main Stage: Speakers
Ines Lage, TUC South West Regional Secretary
Mark Dickinson, TUC President & Nautilus General Secretary
Paul Nowak, TUC General Secretary
15.45 Main Stage – PET NEEDS
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Founded by brothers Johnny and George Marriott, PET NEEDS’ career has been sky-rocketing ever since the release of their acclaimed debut ‘Fractured Party Music’ back in 2021. From getting signed to Xtra Mile Recordings, to sold out shows, rave reviews to rabid fans, and embarking on extensive global tours; demand for these four lads from Essex has been on a trajectory with the stratosphere. Joined by Jules (drums) and Ryan (bass), the band released their third studio album, ‘Intermittent Fast Living’ in February 2024 which entered the Official Album Chart at Number 17. |
15:45 Martyrs Marquee
16:45 Main Stage – Billy Bragg
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Billy Bragg has been a fearless recording artist, tireless live performer and peerless political campaigner for 40 years, with 11 solo albums plus many collaborations under his belt.Punk rocker, soldier, Essex boy, folk singer, Skiffle aficionado, protest singers’ protest singer, patriot, optimist, lefty polemicist, author, soul miner, musicologist, champion of the underclasses, Cockney vocalist and all round decent bloke.
‘Unquestionably our generation’s finest protest singer…vital and indispensable’ Classic Pop |
17:00 Methodist Chapel