Billy Bragg, The Beat, and Seth Lakeman lead first acts for Tolpuddle Martyrs Festival

Tolpuddle Martyrs Festival and Rally 2015

Friday 17th to Sunday 19th July 2015
Tolpuddle Martyrs Museum, Tolpuddle, Dorset, DT2 7EH, England MAP
£30 weekend, child (5-15) £5, u5s free - Sunday only free

Daily capacity: 5,000

Last updated: Wed 3rd Jun 2015

Billy Bragg, The Beat, and Seth Lakeman lead the first acts confirmed for the Tolpuddle Martyrs Festival and Rally organised by the TUC, which takes place in the village of Tolpuddle, Dorset and is held from Friday 17th to Sunday 19th July 2015.

In 1834, farms workers formed a trade union, and their story is now part of the development of a free and democratic society. It is celebrated in the small museum in Tolpuddle and at the festival on the weekend of the third Sunday in July with the climax being a march through the village.

Also confirmed are Curtis Eller's American Circus, The Hurriers, Neck, Naomi Bedford, Justin Currie, Jonny & the Baptists, Alex Yeandle, Thee Faction, The Victorian Barbers, na-mara, The Tuts, Funke and the Two Tone Baby, Chris T-T and the Hoodrats, Bemis, The darwins, Dana Immanuel, and Stick in the Wheel.

Plus The Skimmity Hitchers in front of the Unite Marquee on Saturday.

Speakers on the Sunday include TUC general secretary Frances O'Grady, TUC president Leslie Manasseh, Angela Eagle MP and Unite assistant general secretary Steve Turner.

The event offers seminars, and talks during the day, and some smaller music spaces, with the main music happening in the afternoons/evenings. On the Sunday there is a large processional march from the festival site to the nearby village of Tolpuddle, followed by a few major music acts and speeches.

Expect a weekend of speakers and debates. In and around the Martyrs Marque at the festival there will be stalls selling ideas.

Tickets for the 2015 Festival will be on sale on Wednesday 1st April 2015. Ticket prices for the rest of the weekend have not yet been announced.

The traditional Sunday Rally Day is open to all and free - apart from the parking fee of £10 a vehicle. Please respect the Festival and the local community by using the car parks.

A weekend camping pass is priced at £45 for adults and £5 for children. The area for camping is restricted and will fill to capacity. Please book early to avoid disappointment.

Organiser Nigel Costley said: "With the General Election in the balance, we're keeping our power dry over the debates but, whoever's in power come May, we'll have our usual range of top class speakers, discussing issues relevant to working people.

"We're encouraging people to check our website for up-to-date information about the speakers as and when we add them."

discuss this news on the Festival Forums