LostFest 18th May 2025
We look forward to seeing you this Sunday (18th May) in the beautiful stannary town of Lostwithiel. LostFest is unique - we are a free, community festival that supports local artists and businesses. This year, we have made some changes to improve the festival experience:
On King George V Playing Fields, there is a Bandstand with music from 11:30 with a Nos Lowen by Salt & Sky at 16:50. There are also plenty of amazing craft and community stalls, including a Maypole dance at 14:00.
There are art exhibitions and workshops on Queen and Quay Streets, including dinosaur-making.
There are amazing headline bands in the evening - the Cabarats, Banjovial and the If So's.
We start at 10:30 with an amazing parade by Barts Beats, so come early and enjoy the day. We look forward to seeing you soon!
Main Stage performers
Martha Woods 11:00 - 11:30
Lostwithiel’s very own Martha Woods will perform an upbeat set of original songs and tunes, combining folk-inspired fiddle and vocals with electronic backing. Martha is a composer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist.
Arty Jackson 11:40 - 12:00
Arty Jackson is a Stroud/ Bristol based singer-songwriting known for performing intricate, binding music. He has developed a unique style of guitar playing and songwriting settled on a love for exploring musical cultures and grown with a passion of English folk music.
Humm 12:10 - 12:40
HUMM are a contemporary folk duo with stories to tell, minds to change and worlds to re-imagine. Rooted in traditional music, Humm have created a new, eclectic sound, with influences ranging from John Martyn and Joni Mitchell to Radiohead and XTC, so “brace yourself to traverse a musical odyssey that surpasses conventional boundaries” (Fame Magazine).
Alex Robertson 12:50 - 13:20
Alex blends mature indie-folk themes with soaring, emotive vocals. He is known for his ever-evolving style and genre-shifting spontaneity, honed from years of gigging. This has gained him a reputation for acoustic melodies accompanied by personal, honest lyrics.
Mark Barnwell 13:40 - 14:20
Mark is a dynamic Spanish guitarist, performing in the UK and overseas for over 40 years. His unique style effortlessly blends the melodic elements of classical guitar with the fire and excitement of World Music and Flamenco.
Du Glas 14:40 - 15:10
Described as, “Tons of joyful energy and genuine love for the music and the history of Cornwall”, Du Glas offer their own brand of energetic, passionate country folk / rock.
Kana Lostwithiel 15:30 - 16:00
Kana are Lostwithiel’s community choir. The choir welcomes people of all ages and abilities and in return offers lots of singing, friendship and laughter.
Lostwithiel Town Band 16:00 - 16:40
Lostwithiel Town Band dates back to 1885. The band has a strong conviction that banding should be a hobby to be thoroughly enjoyed and has more than 20 members who get together on Monday and Thursday evenings to practice, learn new pieces and socialise. We undertake over 30 events per year throughout Cornwall. The bands has played played on the Quayside to welcome the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall in Fowey, joined the Bodmin War Museum for an evening of the Last Night of the Proms and led the VE Day celebrations in Lostwithiel.
Eleth 17:00 - 17:30
Eleth (angels in cornish) play traditional cornish and english tunes.They are a 4 piece including a hurdy gurdy, mandolin, guitar and darabuka drum
The If So's 17:50 - 18:50
Only formed in 2022, The If So’s are a Cornish quartet based in the St Austell area. The If So’s play alternative / rock music, including a wide range of covers from the Clash to the Beatles and many more. They also have some originals lying about and are playing LostFest for the first time.
Our new compere - Mimi 18:00 - 22:00
We are very pleased to welcome Mimi, as our new compere. She is an actor, events manager, Cornwall Comedian of the Year (2022), as well as being a horse rider and hedgehog protector. Mimi works on the live programming of intoBodmin events and Creative Projects.
Banjovial 19:10 - 20:10
Banjovial are pioneers of shanty grass, forged on the rugged North Cornish coast. The band was brought to life by friends Calum, Jamie and Tom, with the sole intention of merging time served seagoing experiences with exquisite musicianship. As the music developed, Celtic passion and a love of old time found its natural place, and out of the melting pot came an identity that blends the region's rich maritime heritage with infectious rhythms and melodies, creating a sound that is both nostalgic and exhilarating.
Headline Band: The Cabarats 20:40 - 22:00
The Cabarats are described as ‘‘The Sounds of Tarantino meets Tiger Lilies at a Gypsy Wedding...” (Chris Tofu (Continental Drifts)). No genre is safe from this band: dub-infused rhythms collide with exotic melodies, knees-up traditional music and infectious vocal hooks form an alluring and energetic sound, based on an eclectic and expansive range of instruments.
