Glastonbury Festival might be the biggest of the summer music venues but if you’re like me and prefer to find smaller, alternative spots to appreciate musical talent then the Yorkshire Dales has a few good ones. Worth checking out:
- Settle Victoria Hall - The World's Oldest Music Hall having been built in 1853. Today, it continues to thrive with a programme of folk music evenings as well as films and plays.
- Reeth Memorial Hall – the summer/autumn programme includes a Canadian swing/roots duo; tribute bands and folk music evenings. All profits from ticket sales go towards the upkeep of the facilities and the community itself.
- Bolton Castle – a fantastic venue for hosting the Medieval Music in the Dales
- The Tan Hill Inn – the UK’s highest pub is also striking the right note for attracting some of the country’s best tribute bands and creating a reputation as England's highest pub gig music venue
- Buck Inn, Buckden – hosts traditional Dales music sessions every second Sunday afternoon of the month between October and March.
- Brass and silver bands – there’s nothing that says: “Summer in Yorkshire” quite like a brass band. Many, such as the Leyburn, Northallerton and Reeth brass/silver bands, can be heard playing at the local shows and on village greens.
Words by Amanda Brown. Photo Masham Sheep Fair