wimborne town of culture hosts a takeover of willow walk stage at wimborne folk festival 2026

folkactive youth ensemble

The FolkActive Youth Ensemble (FAYE) is a vibrant group of young musicians aged 11-19, performing exciting arrangements of traditional and contemporary folk music. Combining expert tuition with creativity, improvisation, and performance, FAYE delivers energetic, engaging sets inspired by English and Celtic traditions, showcasing the next generation of outstanding young folk musicians. 

Discover more about what FAYE get up to on their website, instagram and facebook channels.

hattie fleischer

A student at St Michael’s Middle School in Colehill, Hattie is obsessed with singing! She has performed in school productions throughout the years and has also performed with the Dreamcoat cast at Lighthouse, Poole.

lyme

Lyme return to the Folk Festival with a full band set at the Olive Branch on Saturday, followed by a stripped-back acoustic set, on the same day, led by Steven on vocals and Max on guitar. Bringing a more intimate side to their sound, they perform songs by George Harrison, Jimi Hendrix, and more. 

Discover Lyme on instagram: @lyme.band

jordan doherty 

Jordan is a 17-year-old singer-songwriter inspired by pop and rock music, with influences including Jon Bellion and Jeremy Zucker. Starting out busking, Jordan has grown from performing on the street to taking on bigger live performances and sharing original music with wider audiences. With honest lyrics, energetic performances and a fun, engaging style, Jordan brings a fresh and personal sound to every stage. 

left hand rule

A very new, teenage rock cover band based in Dorset. From bands like Green Day all the way to AC/DC, their music covers the whole genre of rock, adding their own signature, guitar-based style and sound to each of our covers. Discover Left Hand Rule on Instagram: @lefthandrule.band and TikTok: @lefthandrule.band

sophia jarvis

Sophia Jarvis, 14, is a pianist and singer bringing pop and modern music to life. A music scholarship student, she writes her own songs and loves connecting with audiences on stage. She’s buzzing to perform at her hometown festival - an exciting moment and just the start of her journey. 

sustain

Four talented teenagers from Bournemouth have joined forces through their shared love of music. Featuring piano, bass, drums, flute, and guitar, this energetic group enjoys exploring a wide range of genres together. Their performances shine with creativity, enthusiasm, friendship, and youthful musical passion. 

tiggy whitmarsh

Tiggy Whitmarsh is a young singer-songwriter who combines vocal talent with original songwriting. Influenced by artists ranging from Fleetwood Mac and David Bowie to Billie Eilish and RAYE, she has performed at open mic nights and school showcases and is developing a growing catalogue of her own music.

stagecoach wimborne

Stagecoach Wimborne are ecstatic to be Performing in the 2026 Folk Festival, we can't wait to spread cheer for all to hear and help build our students' confidence through this lovely community performance opportunity. Stagecoach Performing Arts Wimborne, Ringwood and Bournemouth offer weekly classes in Singing, Dancing and Drama to students aged 4-18 years. With an expert team of teachers, we are committed to nurturing every child. We build a sense of self-esteem that stays with our students for life, empowering them to be whoever they want to be! The Autumn term registers are now open, contact Emily at Wimborne@stagecoach.co.uk for more information. 

Website: www.stagecoach.co.uk/wimborne 

Facebook: www.facebook.com/StagecoachRingwood 

getaway

A Dorset-based funk band consisting of five members aged 15-19. Playing a range of 70s to 80s funk and disco covers, they create an energetic atmosphere that instantly gets people on the dancefloor. Discover Getaway on Instagram: @getawaybanduk

helena yasmin

Helena Yasmin is a multidisciplinary artist, singer, and actor creating work across music, visual art, and performance. She is the creator of Hot Girls Have Trauma - a pop-R&B infused musical exploring healing, femininity, and survival. Check out Helena’s work on Spotify and Substack

isabella hawes

Isabella has been performing since she was 6 years old. She has a passion for musical theatre and drama and has performed in shows such as Matilda, Chicago, Back to the Future, Mamma Mia and more. Her dream is to be a singer or on the West End. 

kolumbia

Kolumbia is a dynamic young indie rock band. Fin, Leo, Rex and Oscar - all students from Queen Elizabeth School in Wimborne - are united by a shared passion for writing music that blends raw teenage emotion and infectious melodies to create a sound that’s entirely their own. Already turning heads with their first single ‘I Want You’, the boys are excited to be returning to the folk festival after their debut last year. Discover Kolumbia on Facebook and Instagram.

room 18

A four-piece punk band from Christchurch, they take inspiration from groups like Blink-182 and NOFX, and enjoy performing covers from their back catalogues at local venues and festivals around Bournemouth. When not playing covers, you’ll find them working on original tracks together.

Recent events have seen Room 18 compete in (and win!) BandStorm 2026, a competition for young musicians ages 13 -18 run by Soundstorm Music Education Agency. 

Discover Room 18 on Instagram: weareroom18 and TikTok: room18official1 

swing squad

Swing Squad is a high-energy teen jazz band blending Duke Ellington classics with modern swing and big-band flair. Featuring tight horns, smooth grooves, and fearless improvisation, they deliver an exciting live set packed with rhythm, personality, and fresh young talent. 

Discover Swing Squad on their website, instagram and facebook.

ultraviolet

Ultraviolet are a rock band making loud, guitar-driven music with a mix of modern and classic influences. Their live sets are energetic and direct, focusing on tight playing and original songs that land well with a crowd. 

Discover Ultraviolet on Instagram: the.ultravioletband 

qe school jazz band

The QE School Of Performing Arts Jazz Band is an energetic ensemble performing everything from swing classics to modern favourites. Combining strong musicianship with creativity and improvisation, the group brings excitement and style to every stage. Their performances showcase the talent, dedication, and passion of some of the school's most accomplished young musicians. 

qe school percussion

The QE School Of Performing Arts Percussion Group delivers powerful rhythms and exciting performances using a wide range of percussion instruments. Exploring music from different cultures and styles, the ensemble combines precision, teamwork, and creativity to create memorable musical experiences while showcasing the versatility and energy of percussion performance. 

Discover QE School of Performing Arts on instagram and facebook.