So here we go... first Drystone acts announced, and we're pretty excited. Oh yes.
Top News is that the mighty Home Service have agreed to come and grace the west coast of Cumbria with their fine English sound - Folk Awards 2012 Best Live Act, they are simply one of the best folk acts to ever come out of the UK. End of.
Also delighted to announce New Rope String Band's Solfest debut, with their hilarious blend of stunning musicianship and comedy timing par excellence.
Gerry Richardson's Big Idea contains some of the NE's finest jazz musicians. Think tower of Power meets The Bamboos - Hammond-driven jazz-soul to die for.
Of course they're back! How could we endure another Solfest without Pikey Beatz on the Drystone Stage? Impossible to contemplate. Get your skank on, and keep your knees up!
Jaywalkers (BBC Young Folk Award Finalists) are a young folk band very much on their way up - fiddle, mandolin and upright bass combine in a glorious mash of folk, bluegrass, country and western swing.
The Young 'Uns from Teesside blow a great big hole in the side of your expectations of traditional folk song, with fantastic harmonies, stunning arangements and the most irreverent and irrepresible banter you'll find this side of a harbourside tavern.
Also back by popular demand, Drystone favourites Emma and The Professor return with their particular blend of mythic folk - a bouncy, heartfelt, vivid duo with bags of energy and colour!
Another first for us this year is the Paddy Garrigan Band - one third of the Wierdstrings, joined by bass and drums to bring his clever and powerful lyrics to startling life in the rather ecletic category of folk-rock-grunge-punk!
We're also very pleased to welcome local songwriter Sid Wright back to the Drystone Stage with his unique heartfelt and heart-warming original songs.
There's a lot more to come, but whet your appetite on this lot for now!