First acts announced for July festival in the forest
A FESTIVAL held in the woodlands of the National Forest has announced its first wave of acts.
Timber will take place in the glades of Feanedock in Moira on the first weekend in July, bringing music and art that celebrates nature and examines our relationship with the natural world.
The first act to be announced in the music line-up is the genre-defying band Penguin Cafe, alongside Haiku Salut, The Turbans, Josienne Clarke and Ivan Campo.
Aside from the music, Poet Laureate Simon Armitage will read from his new book The Owl and the Nightingale and also hit the decks for a throwback DJ set under the trees, while author Max Porter will give a special performance.
There will be a range of debates and discussions about sustainability and climate change, and MC and beatboxer Testament will be sharing his top nature-related music picks in Wilderness Tracks with BBC Radio 4’s Geoff Bird.
Kendal Mountain Festival will host an evening of films about human endurance, while Slow Food in the UK return to Timber with Food Is The Solution, a mix of talks and practical demos from chefs, giving an insight into how we can make positive changes in the food industry. Audiences looking to unwind will be spoilt for choice with wellbeing activities, including meditation, yoga and tai chi.
Sarah Bird, co-director of the festival, said: “Timber is all about having unforgettable moments in the forest and creating memories that last a lifetime.
“Today’s programme announcement for Timber Festival 2022 is just a taster of what’s to come next year.”
Rowan Cannon, her co-director, said: “There’s such a diverse mix of talented musicians in our line-up, with sounds from all over the world from Rajasthan to São Paulo.
“Watching musicians perform in the natural beauty of the forest is so incredibly special – I’m really excited to see Penguin Cafe, and The Turbans. I can’t wait to be dancing with our audiences beneath the trees this summer!”
Further programming will be announced soon and will include music and dance, theatre and live performance, art and installations, comedy and cabaret, film screenings and workshops.
■ Tickets for the National Forest Timber Festival, from July 1 to 3, are on sale now at: