In Leoncavallo’s legendary operatic thriller ‘Pagliacci’, or ‘Clowns’, the leader of a touring troupe of comedy actors, discovers his wife is having an affair. Before he finds out who it is, he must go on stage in the role of a despairing husband with a cheating wife.

Guy Davis is a two-time, back-to-back Grammy nominee for Best Traditional Blues, a musician, actor, author, and songwriter. Guy uses a blend of Roots, Blues, Folk, Rock, Rap, Spoken Word, and World Music to comment on, and address the frustrations of social injustice, touching on historical events, and common life struggles.

Equally at home on guitar, banjo, mandolin, singing three part harmony or unaccompanied, he has carved out a place for himself as a unique voice in American music. An insightful and poetic wordsmith and songwriter, a subtle and accomplished roots multi-instrumentalist and a captivating singer.

Promoted by RADMAD

London Afrobeat Collective are a tight-knit family of musicians from around the world, living in London and united by a love of afrobeat and a desire to take original music to new places.

Supported by Ffredi Blino and Iris Rei.

With Ahmed Mukhtar, oud, Ruba Hillawi, oud, Sonia Hammond, cello, Camilla Saunders piano

Peter Knight’s Gigspanner Trio have established their reputation as one of the most genuinely ground-breaking forces on the British folk scene.

Edinburgh Fringe Smash Hit. Wright tries to celebrate but ends up taking a deep dive into himself and the England that raised him. New poems on class, love and adoption.

British-Congolese (DRC) singer and multi-instrumentalist creating her own brand of Afro-soul-folk.

Presteigne residents Alex Valentine and Dave Luke, delivering original songs and classy interpretations in the country-folk genre. WIth support from Jakey Boy Hughes and Jessica Rising

Francesca talks to Jo King about her first book PINCH ME: Trying to Feel Real in the 21st Century

Andy is a Bristol based, alt-folk musician his poetic and highly visual lyrics and warm unaffected voice are accompanied by Bill Frampton on bass and Pete Warner on drums. Supported by Presteigne’s own Iris Rei.

With a lifetime of performing and an undying love of the ‘pure song’ Keith James gives you a concert of Cohen’s amazing material in the most intimate and sensitive way.

The Velvet Violin is back with music from Little Rumba, La Gringa Negra plus another pop quiz.

Anthropologist Stephen Hugh Jones presents his talk - “The Spirit with no anus and the pots that fart. Adventures in the mythology of the Colombian Amazon and why this is of relevance to ourselves.” Probably not one to miss!

The Will Barnes Quartet, in collaboration with skilled landscape artist Erin Hughes, are proud to present their debut album, ‘Source of the Severn’. Will Barnes (guitar) is joined by James Batten (drums), Jack Gonsalez (piano) and Clovis Phillips (bass) - a tight collective of highly experienced jazz instrumentalists.

Presteigne residents Alex Valentine and Dave Luke, delivering original songs and classy interpretations in the country-folk genre.  On this occasion their soaring harmonies presented on a bed of string instruments will be augmented by local maestro John Hymas

One of Europe’s most authentic and spirited blues and jazz piano players “The soul of New Orleans in the UK” Dom Pipkin is at the forefront of musicians keeping the classic New Orleans sound alive. His world-travelled band The Ikos have taken New Orleans funk and blues and created from it their own unique sound and songs.

Lodestar Trio is a unique collaboration between stars of the Scandinavian folk scene Erik Rydvall and Olav Mjelva, and British violin virtuoso Max Baillie. Together they bring a spirit of groove and improvisation into Baroque music by combining traditional nordic string instruments— the Swedish nyckelharpa and the Norwegian hardanger fiddle— with the violin.

Mike Parker talks about his book All the Wide Border.

Mike records a funny, warm and timely meditation on identity and belonging, following the scenic route along the England–Wales border: Britain’s deepest faultline. His journey is divided into three legs corresponding with the watersheds of the three great border rivers: the Dee in the north, the Severn in the centre, the Wye in the south.

Award winning singer, songwriter, performer, author, producer and member of Oklahoma's Music Hall Of Fame, Gail Davies will be performing with her trio in Presteigne on Saturday November 18th as part of a short tour of the UK.

Jim Ghedi and Toby Hay are a duo project between two finger style guitarists, coming together to blend influences and different styles of playing to create a unique sound for guitar based folk music. Their self titled album is out on Topic Records and is their second collaboration after 2018’s The Hawksworth Grove Sessions.

Take a celebrated musical genius, some sibling rivalry, an unknown manuscript, BAFTA-winning filmmaker Sheila Hayman, and one sensational revelation and what have you got? Fanny: The Other Mendelssohn – a revelatory new feature documentary starring global Decca star, Isata Kanneh-Mason.

Sam Lewis has collaborated with everyone from Leon Russell to The Wood Brothers. Chris Stapleton dubbed him “a modern Townes Van Zandt”. Lewis’ style meets at a juncture of many different genres however he’s discovered what most musicians spend lifetimes working for; the place where feel-good music meets vital social commentary.

Jody speaks about his debut book Chimera with author Ian Marchant.

Jody White’s eighteenth year of life filled his heart with young love – only to break him apart. Diagnosed with a rare form of Acute Leukaemia, he was given just two weeks to live.

Beatrice and Benedict are both determined to stay single. Beatrice is a woman who despises men (especially Benedict) and Benedict can’t abide women (particularly Beatrice). That is until their friends plot to bring them together and they both ‘accidentally’ overhear whispers of each other’s unrequited passion; the spark of love is ignited by gossip and quickly becomes a blazing wildfire.

Ivan Moult’s signature sound, combining 1960s/70s folk and blues with a contemporary touch, is on full display as he showcases his strongest album yet. Influenced by artists like J.J. Cale, Nina Simone, and Tim Buckley, Ivan's original and unique voice is at the centre of the soundscape, layered with harmonies and delay-soaked electric guitars.

ICHI, from Nagoya in Japan, takes the notion of a one-man band to new limits, combining his quirky handmade instrument inventions (Stilt-bass, Kalilaphone, Balloon-pipes, Hatbox-pedal-drum, Tapumpet, Percussion-shoes & Hattrick-hat) with steel-drum, ping-pong balls, typewriter, toys & everyday objects all in the space of one short set.

ICHI will be supported by Emma Daman from psychedelic supremos Islet, performing some of her new solo work.

In PIECE OF WORK James explores how the landscapes we exist within effect the way we think and feel; how searching for something is an end in itself, regardless of whether the search is successful. It’s about our sense of home, and the hope that makes our lives liveable.

Ian Marchant has written about the romance of the railways, the longest pub crawl in Britain, and the history of British hippiedom, 'A Hero For High Times'. His latest book, 'One Fine Day - A Journey Through English Time' was published by September in April 2023. He is a regular diarist for the Church Times, and an intermittent presenter on Radio Four’s Open Country.

Austrian tenor Ilker Arcayürek has emerged as one of the most exciting and versatile vocal artists in recent years – hailed by the press for his “golden tenor” (Opera Now Magazine) and quickly establishing himself “in a class of his own” (The Guardian).