Dating back to 1818 and 1853, these docks are not museum pieces frozen in time, they are still very much alive. Boats are hauled out of the water and carefully supported on timber blocks, just as they have been for over a century. The air carries the scent of wood, metal, and river water, while skilled craftspeople continue the meticulous work of repair and restoration using techniques passed down through generations. It’s a place where the industrial past isn’t just remembered; it is actively practiced.
During this special weekend, that sense of history is paired with something equally evocative: live music echoing off the dock walls. Sea shanties and folk tunes feel particularly at home here, their rhythms and stories shaped by the same maritime traditions that built the docks themselves.
Standing at the base of the dock, surrounded by towering walls and imagining the hull of a vessel above, the music takes on a special resonance. It’s easy to imagine the voices of sailors from centuries past, their songs rising in much the same way.
“Shanty in the Dock” isn’t just an event, it’s an immersive encounter with heritage, craftsmanship, and community. Whether you come for the history, the music, or simply the novelty of walking where water usually lies, it offers a memorable glimpse into a world that continues to endure against the tide of time.
Across both days, a lively programme of performances brings the space to life:
Jamie Robinson 11.30am Saturday and Sunday
His trusty concertina has been with him on all of these sea voyages and he would often augment his meagre sailor’s wages by busking in whatever port he landed in. His music has the genuine authenticity of someone who has spent a life at sea and his songs and shanties have been heard in many ports and sailor’s pubs across the world.
Book for Shanty in the Dock
Severn Whalers Saturday 12pm
Crumble Brothers Saturday 1pm
The Crumble Brothers are an a-cappella duo based in South Wales, where they can be seen regularly at folk clubs and festivals. This summer they performed at Pirates in the Port (Newport), Caerleon Arts Festival, Weston Shanty & Folk Festival and Bristol Shanty Festival. The Crumble Brothers repertoire ranges from traditional folk through sea songs and political material to quirky diversions. They are known for their tight harmonies and precision, but try not to take themselves too seriously, and like to have fun with their audience.
Cooper and Toller Saturday 2pm
Vicky Cooper and Richard Toller play traditional English folk songs. They sing solo and in harmony, unaccompanied and accompanied on fiddle, mandolin and guitar. Expect fine musicianship and songs of love and betrayal, sailors and poachers, the natural and supernatural – with some rousing choruses.
“A must listen,” Songlines. “Delightful voices… beautifully sung,” RnR.
The Vogwells Saturday 3pm
The Vogwells are Martin & Emma, a married couple living and travelling the inland waterways on their narrowboat home. They perform, write and arrange traditional British folk music. Described by fRoots Magazine as having “…strength, presence and character…a definite thumbs up”, their music combines traditional lyrical stories and original music played in a full bodied guitar style with stunning harmonies.
The Gloucester Diamonds Sunday 12pm
The Gloucester Diamonds has been a well-known shanty and folk song group for several decades. The latest line-up is the original founder member; Rod Penlington, Flash (AKA Les Griffiths); and our latest recruit Niki Burge.
Bois-Y-Bryn Sunday 1pm
Bois Y Bryn (Boys of the Mount) are a shanty and folk band based in Cwmbran, South Wales and bring a fusion of our two great heritages of the British Isles … the world renown harmonious singing of the valleys of Wales with the shanties of our great sea-faring nation along with a spattering of folk.
We cover all sorts of events with the emphasis very much on supporting various charities as well as private functions and including TV appearances for Channel 4 and BBC. We are also organisers of our very own annual Pirates In The Port festival in Newport at the end of May.
The 85ers Sunday 2pm
The 85ers are a shanty group made up of 5 active sea going lifeboat crew from RNLI Portishead. Fully acapella, we sing a wide range of shanties. Formed during a lock down in 2021 and have been regulars at various shanty festivals around the south west ever since. In 2023 we got to sing for the King at the Coronation Concert at Windsor Castle. In 2024 we sang at in the Great Hall at Stormont in Belfast and at the Poppies to Paddington Remembrance service.
The Swing Rioters Sunday 3pm
We take classic, mainly English, traditional folk songs and “punk them up”. We also take more modern songs and “folk them up”. We aim to give everyone something that they will recognise…
We are loud.
The original Swing Riots were a series of disturbances in the rural counties of England in 1830. Increasing mechanisation was threatening the livelihoods and agricultural workers. The workers responded with protest and, in some cases, violent actions including the burning of hay ricks and the smashing of threshing machines.
Expect to have a good time….
