Gobefest

Gobefest, Manchester's original international urban folk music and dance festival, is back Friday 21-Sunday 23 June 2024.

In a coup for the indie event, which turns eight this year, Friday's headliner is Parno Graszt. Described as 'the source of Gypsy music', the Romani nine-piece is performing exclusively at Gobefest in what will be their first UK appearance in over a decade. Whilst Saturday's dual headliners Manchester's own Rioghnach Connolly and Honeyfeet and klezmer and Balkan music supremos She'Koyokh go head to head.

Other acts playing across two stages for the three day event include Koszika and the Hotshots, Vulva Voce, Karolina Wegrzyn and Banda, Csjilla, Reka-Kata Regian and Szabolcs Horvath, Solymosi Duo, , Lazlo Baby, Monty Folk, Seamus Og and Izzie Walsh. Further local and international acts are still to be confirmed.

The weekend promises an expertly curated mix of bands and solo artists, folk dance troupes, choirs and more.

Independent food and drink traders will be serving up favourites from around the Carpathian Basin, from giant pans of goulash, to the fried flat breads known as langos and Transylvanian barbecued chimney cakes. Alongside craft beer, there will also be a Hungarian wine stall, a cocktail bar and a palinka (Hungarian fruit brandy) bar. 

Free activities in the family tent include music and dance workshops, arts and crafts and storytelling from award-winning children's author Oliver Sykes.

Established in 2017, Gobefest has its roots firmly in Transylvania but over the years has expanded its reach to cherry pick some of the finest performing artists from all over the UK and Europe.

Returning to Cathedral Gardens, the festival will for the first time be selling day or weekend tickets for the Friday and Saturday. Sunday - which has become known as Dance Day - will remain free.

On Saturday 22 June 2024, Marta Sebestyen, Judit Andrejszki and Bela Szerenyi Jr. will be in concert at Halle St Michael's as a Gobefest special event. This event is not included in the main ticket price.

Friday line up
Gypsy stars Parno Graszt, Seamus Og, Izzie Walsh, Solymosi Duo, Reka-Kata Regian and Szabolcs Horvath

Saturday line up
Rioghnach Connolly and Honeyfeet/ She'Koyokh, Koszika and the Hotshots, Vulva Voce, Karolina Wegrzyn and Banda, Csjilla, Reka-Kata Regian and Szabolcs Horvath, Solymosi Duo, Hunique dance ensemble 

Sunday line up
Hunique Hungarian folk ensemble, Romanian folk dance group Ansamblul Tezaur, Bulgarian folklore club Ripni-Ka, Podilya Ukrainian Dance Ensemble, Polonez Polish dance group, Monty Folk, Lazlo Baby, Kalinka Balalaika Orchestra, Tulipan Zither and Folk Arts

Keep an eye on the Gobefest website or socials for updates as more acts are added to the bill.