Over 100 bands applied to join the Falmouth International Shanty Festival and only 66 were successful with the Solent Shanty Buoys being one of them. The whole town was packed for the entire weekend starting on the Friday afternoon; the sun was shining; the bunting was up and at every corner you turned and pub you visited a band was playing

The SSBs had seven venues to play, each one having its own sound technician but although they haven’t used microphones a lot, they blended together really well and had audiences singing along and, at times, dancing too. Weekly rehearsals and playing a range of gigs in the last 18 months definitely gave them the edge and a fabulous time was had by one and all.

They played in elegant eating houses, quiet pubs (until they got the audience going), and bars rammed to the gunnels with excited shanty enthusiasts. They even had a gig in the street, dodging the rain.

If you would like them to sing for any event you might be organising and want some audience participation, they would love to do it! Email: shantybuoys@gmail.com.