The tone for FolkWeek will be set with two pre-festival special concerts at the Ham Marquee next week.

Kate Rusby, the darling of the British folk scene, plays on Thursday, July 30, at 8pm – one of a handful of carefully chosen summer festival appearances. With her pure voice and intimate delivery, the four-time BBC Radio 2 Folk Award-winning singer has a crossover appeal that is unprecedented for a folk singer. Her hauntingly beautiful storytelling is balanced with warm Barnsley banter, and the flawless support of her talented band.

Expect to hear both material from latest release, Ghost, and a selection of much-loved classics from her back catalogue stretching over her two decades of music making.

Kate is supported by Dorset duo Ninebarrow, who deliver original songs that are inspired and rooted in the landscape and history of the British Isles.

On Friday, July 31, at 3.15pm, the brawny Cornish chorale Port Isaacs’s Fisherman’s Friends share their shanty love with audiences. The internationally-renowned choir have delighted visitors and locals in their home village, and around the world, for more than 15 years, with almost 300 live performances of their authentic briny-themed repertoire under their belts. Over the last few years, they have created a massive mainstream stir with their album release on a major label (Universal) reaching out to new audiences around the world.

Support comes from charismatic local singer Jim Causley, who reaches out the hand of inter-county friendship, sharing his passion for songs and stories his native Devon.