If ever there was a year to enjoy the thrill of live performance in Petworth, this is clearly it with an array of world class performers in the South Downs from July 10th to 27th

“We have always sought to bring the greatest quality of performance to Petworth, but when you add in the sheer charisma of so many of this year’s artists, I can only look forward to the festival with the most extraordinary degree of anticipation!”

Petworth’s Artistic Director Stewart Collins is clearly delighted with this year’s line up and backing up his comments, he points to a whole series of unique talents who will be taking to the Petworth stage.

Classical stars Simon Keenlyside, Boris Giltburg and Joanna MacGregor all have what Stewart describes as ‘that crucial x-factor’, as do stellar talents from other genres, jazz musicians Eliane Correa and Petworth favourite Joe Stilgoe, world music star N’famady Kouyate, performance poet and storyteller Luke Wright, and Mike and the Mechanics front man Roachford, who brings his own band to the festival. 

And it goes way beyond this. The South African cellist Abel Selaocoe is a force of nature whether playing Bach or traditional African music; Martin Harley is genuinely one of the modern blues-guitar greats; percussionist Delia Stephens playing in tandem with harmonica genius Will Pound… virtuosity simply doesn’t sum it up!

And that’s not to mention the ‘Big Gigs’ at The Petworth House Stable Yard and Midhurst Rother College

Thurs 18th: The Wonder of Stevie – a triumphant celebration of Stevie Wonder’s music
Fri 19th: Fleetwood Mac’s Rumours – a vivid recreation by The Transatlantic Ensemble
Sat 20th: Jazz in the Stables – headlined by Anglo/Cuban powerhouse Eliane Correa
Wed 24th: Aretha – the brilliant Vanessa Haynes of Incognito stars
Thurs 25th: Roachford – the dynamic front man of Mike and the Mechanics with his own band
Fri 26th: Comedy Double Bill – with Mark Watson and Mark Simmons

Petworth Festival kicks off on Wednesday, 10th July and runs through to Saturday, 27th July when events culminate with a performance of Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue (‘blue’ being a theme that runs through the festival) in the hands of yet another astonishing talent, Ronnie Scott’s supremo pianist James Pearson.

Events run every day including a dozen daytime/lunchtime events with family events scheduled for both Coultershaw Heritage Site and the Leaconfield Hall. More information and tickets at petworthfestival.org.uk/whats-on