Festival Q&A:
Jon Boden

Sheffield-based folk artist Jon Boden toured with his former band Bellowhead from 2004 to 2016 but this year he will be playing solo, including Beverley Folk Festival, 16-18 June

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Who else are you excited to see?
Lots of bands I haven’t seen before, which is always exciting. Particularly looking forward to checking out The Jaywalkers. Also hoping to catch a full set of False Lights.

What’s your best festival memory?
Probably playing to 40,000 people at Calgary Folk Festival with Bellowhead in 2009. We’ve done bigger shows since but it did feel a bit like being a rock star.

What are your festival essentials?
Phone backup battery. Parking spot not in the middle of a muddy field.

How does playing a festival differ from playing your own gig?
It’s harder in some respects as you can’t control the overall atmosphere of the gig. Having said that there is a particular energy with a festival crowd – a feeling that everyone is there in the moment and not thinking about what time they have to get up for work the next day or whatever. Because of this they can be really special, transformative experiences.

What’s your favourite part of playing festivals?
I think it’s knowing that there are lots of people in the audience who haven’t seen you before and haven’t decided yet whether they like you or not! It’s kind of scary but it’s also invigorating and makes a good gig seem even more special.

Beverley Folk Festival is on 16-18 June at Beverley Racecourse

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Jon Boden

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