Big Session Festival 2009

Over the weekend, acts from the roots and folk music worlds will perform their own full length sets. Along with the pre-programmed music, expect there to be a beer tent with open mic space, artist lunchtime and impromptu sessions, a ceilidh, a market place, a children's area and more throughout the weekend.

The Big Session Festival returns on Friday 19th to Sunday 21st June 2009 to De Montfort Hall, in Leicester.

The line-up so far for all three stages includes Levellers, Billy Bragg, Oysterband, Kathryn Tickell Band, Edward II, Eliza Carthy Band, Adrian Edmondson & The Bad Shepherds, Peatbog Faeries, Breabach, Blyth Power, The Shee, Ella Edmondson, Otis Gibbs, Karine Polwart, Fatima Spar & the Freedom Fries, The Demon Barbers, and Diana Jones. For the line-up details as available please click here.

Stage 3 gives local musicians, poets and bands the opportunity to perform at the Big Session, and will play host to the Sunflower Songs Competition Winner, Beatroot Poetry Hour and Lee's Afternoon Sessions, as well as plenty of great local acts.

Tickets for the whole weekend are priced at £70, and a child (aged 5-15) ticket is priced at £25. Children under 5 years old are free. A family ticket, 2 adults and 2 children is priced at £150. Friday day tickets only are priced at £27.50 or £10 for children, Saturday day tickets are priced at £35 or £15 for children, and Sunday day tickets only are priced at £20 or £7.50 for children. To buy tickets, click here.

Camper Vans are £15 per van, tent pitches are £5 per tent space required. These all must be pre-booked through the Box Office on 0116 233 3111.

The festival has a proper session bar which gives festival goers the opportunity to bring along their own instruments and join in the sessions hosted over the weekend. The Big Session provides a safe and secure cloakroom to leave instruments at over the weekend.

Along with the pre-programmed music, expect there to be a beer tent with open mic space, artist lunchtime and impromptu sessions, a ceilidh, a market place, a children's area and more throughout the weekend.

The Big Session has a huge range of real ales available at the festival throughout the weekend, with a great selection from local and regional micro breweries. There are also several quality food outlets providing a great range of international and local cuisine throughout the whole weekend, including veggie options, proper coffee, and more.

The festivals also has a Kidzone run by the Big Kidz team loads of fun stuff for younger festival goers and their families, these include making things, crafts activities, games, music making, and much more.

This year the festival won the 'Greener Festival Award' for the second year on the trot, and have been given a special Red Kite Mark for their efforts to make the festival as environmentally friendly as they possibly can.

eFestivals is running a competition to win a pair of weekend tickets to the Big Session 2009, to find out more, click here.

For detailed information about various aspects of the festival see the Big Session Information (includes detailed info on camping, travel, food & drink, and more).

More information will be here when available.

Latest Updates