Bournemouth Folk Festival has attracted top acts from the UK and around the world for what promises to be an exhilarating two days at the town’s BIC on Friday and Saturday, March 23 and 24.

The centre’s seafront suite (Tregonwell Hall and Purbeck Lounge) plays host to 20 diverse acts, with top-notch singer-songwriter Martyn Joseph taking to the stage on Saturday afternoon as well as fronting his own songwriting workshop.

Friday evening sees local favourites Fearne join a bill that includes electrifying Anglo-Spanish outfit Urban Folk Quartet, globe-trotting trio Korasong Radio and acclaimed musician and singer Alex Roberts.

Saturday’s afternoon session also includes acclaimed singer-songwriter Martha Tilston and The Woods, as well as 2011 BBC Folk Awards Musician of the Year Andy Cutting and Australian singer-songwriter Emily Barker and her band the Red Clay Halo.

On the Saturday evening, hoedown-ceilidh favourites Cut-a-Shine lead the dance and the stunning prog-folk quintet The Moulettes perform before Grupo Lokito bring the festival to a close with a heady mix of Congolese and Latin rhythms.

Throughout Saturday, the Purbeck Lounge will host performances from artists including The Paper Shades, Holika, local favourite Malcolm Bishop and BBC Young Folk Award winner Megan Henwood, while visitors can join in with Southampton band Jigfoot in their tune session or the various workshops on offer on Saturday.

Tickets on sale HERE