Get ready for the sounds of the sea at Exeter Quay this weekend

Published: 11 September 2024

Songs from the seas will ring out in Exeter on Saturday during the first Quayside Shanty Festival in the city.

The celebration of sea shanties will see a host of performers at venues throughout Exeter’s historic Quayside on Saturday 14 September, from 12 noon to 10pm.

Visitors can expect a day and evening of nautical folk songs performed by talented and colourful characters from across the region.

At the Port Royal and Bishop Blaize performances start at midday and continue late into the night.

At the Transit Shed the first performance starts at midday and culminates with Barrett’s Privateers singing between 5pm and 5.45pm.

The Coffee Cellar also has performances throughout the afternoon.

A wide range of performers will take part throughout the day, including Back Beach Boyz, Mariners Away, Hot Tuna, Bow Movement, Rusty Tubs, Cask, Barnacle Buoys, Exmouth Shanty Men and many more.

Sea shanties are traditional songs originally created and sung by sailors at sea.

They were work songs, devised to accompany particular actions or tasks on board ship. The shanties could help keep time among groups of sailors, coordinate physical movements like hauling ropes and raising sails, and relieve the boredom of long, repetitive tasks.

Traditionally, a singer known as a shantyman would lead the song with verses with everyone else replying with the chorus.

The festival is free and suitable for the whole family, and all are welcome to attend.