Live Music at Staithes Festival 2026
Friday 11 – Sunday 13 September 2026
From one of English folk music’s most celebrated performers to sea shanties, rock, blues, jazz, ukuleles and traditional local voices, Staithes will be filled with live music throughout the festival weekend.
Join us for two special headline concerts in Staithes Memorial Village Hall, plus free and donation-based performances around the village.
Headline Music Artists
Eliza Carthy MBE
Friday 11 September
7.30pm–9.30pm
Staithes Memorial Village Hall
A defining voice of the English folk revival comes to Staithes Festival for a very special Friday evening performance.
The daughter of folk legends Martin Carthy and Norma Waterson, Eliza Carthy has spent more than three decades pushing the boundaries of English traditional music. Her powerful voice, fiercely beautiful fiddle playing and captivating live performances have influenced an entire generation of musicians.
Twice nominated for the Mercury Prize, Eliza has performed and recorded with artists including Paul Weller, Billy Bragg, Rufus and Martha Wainwright, Jarvis Cocker and Patrick Wolf.
Tickets: £25 – advance booking recommended
Buy tickets – Eliza Carthy MBE Staithes Village Memorial Hall Friday 11th September 7:30pm – Staithes Village Memorial Hall
Saltburn Smugglers
Saturday 12 September
7.30pm–9.30pm
Staithes Memorial Village Hall
A vibrant modern shanty group from Saltburn-by-the-Sea, bringing Yorkshire’s smuggling history to life through original sea songs and timeless classics.
With powerful harmonies, local stories and a fresh, energetic twist, the Saltburn Smugglers offer a lively celebration of our coastline, its communities and its colourful past.
Expect an entertaining evening of songs, stories and plenty of coastal spirit.
Tickets: £15 – advance booking recommended
Saltburn Smugglers Saturday 12th September
Friday 11 September
Dire Staithes
6.30pm–7.30pm
Outside Staithes Gallery
Our very own village band launches the festival weekend with upbeat classics from The Beatles, The Kinks and more.
Donations welcome in support of Staithes Festival
Wall of Noise
7.45pm–8.45pm
Outside Staithes Gallery
Rock and blues from the North Yorkshire coast, delivered with enough energy and volume to earn the band its name.
Donations welcome in support of Staithes Festival
Saturday 12 September
Saltburn Ukulele Band
11.00am–12.00pm
Outside Staithes Gallery
A festival favourite returns with lively ukulele performances and danceable classics from the 1960s.
Donations welcome in support of Staithes Festival
Men of Staithes
12.00pm–1.00pm
On the Staith
Carrying on the village’s fisherman’s choir tradition with shanties, sea hymns and songs of the sea.
Donations welcome in support of Staithes Festival
Saltburn Ukulele Band
1.30pm–2.10pm
The Lifeboat House
Another chance to enjoy one of East Cleveland’s best-loved volunteer music groups.
Donations to the RNLI
Becky Foord
2.20pm–3.05pm
The Lifeboat House
A singer-songwriter inspired by the North York Moors and coast, performing heartfelt original songs with warm guitar and an enchanting voice.
Donations to the RNLI
The Nick Rooke Band
3.15pm–4.00pm
The Lifeboat House
Nick, Paul and Lisa perform Nick Rooke’s original music alongside traditional Irish folk, bringing energy, variety and plenty of audience interaction.
Donations to the RNLI
The Nick Rooke Band
6.00pm–6.50pm
Outside Staithes Gallery
A second opportunity to catch the band’s energetic mix of original music and traditional Irish folk.
Donations welcome in support of Staithes Festival
WYSIWYG
7.00pm–8.00pm
Outside Staithes Gallery
Andy Blackford’s new band brings crisp rock arrangements, rich harmonies and virtuoso guitar to classics inspired by Bob Dylan, Little Feat, Peter Green and JJ Cale.
Donations welcome in support of Staithes Festival
Sunday 13 September
Irish Coalminers
12.00pm–1.00pm
Outside Staithes Gallery
Playing everything from Irish traditional music to Americana on guitars, mandolin, banjo and tin whistle, the Irish Coalminers bring their lively, well-travelled sound back to Staithes.
Donations welcome in support of Staithes Festival
Fylingdales Folk Choir
2.45pm–3.10pm
The Lifeboat House
A vibrant a cappella choir from Robin Hood’s Bay, singing folk, blues, gospel and original music in rich four-part harmony.
Donations to the RNLI
Michael Nagasaka and Ben Beattie
3.20pm–4.00pm
The Lifeboat House
Two Yorkshire favourites come together for saxophone-driven pop classics, jazz and blues, with a touch of gospel and plenty of feel-good audience energy.
Donations to the RNLI
Irish Coalminers
4.10pm–5.00pm
The Lifeboat House
A second performance featuring lively Irish traditional music, Americana and folk favourites.
Donations to the RNLI
Men of Staithes
5.10pm–5.35pm
The Lifeboat House
The Men of Staithes close the weekend’s music programme with shanties, sea hymns and songs of the sea.
Their performance will conclude with a traditional procession from the Lifeboat House to the High Street.
Donations to the RNLI
Music Around the Village
Look out for buskers and pop-up performances appearing around Staithes throughout Saturday and Sunday.
Most daytime music events are free to attend, although donations are warmly welcomed. Performances at the Lifeboat House will raise funds for the RNLI.
Times and locations may occasionally change, so please check our website and social media pages before travelling.