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Musicport Festival 2023

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Join in with a weekend full of incredible performances at Whitby Pavilion for the Musicport festival.

Join Musicport from 20th October. Don’t miss out on this fantastic celebration of music and culture! All in wonderful Whitby.


What is Musicport?

The story of Musicport began in the late 1990s when Jim and Sue, a former social worker and teacher, respectively, were organising concerts in Robin Hood’s Bay. They ran a café, bookshop, and concert venue in the Bay while raising their young daughter. One of their most memorable shows was Robert Maseko and his band, which caused a major stir in the former Methodist chapel concert hall! When they learned that their venue would no longer be available, they reached out to Arts Council England to figure out how to continue bringing music from around the world to Whitby.

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This led to the creation of Whitby Musicport, a family-friendly world music festival held in September 2000. The festival has grown over the years, thanks to Jim’s passion for finding acts that bring unique rhythms, melodies, and spectacle to North Yorkshire. Sue has also been instrumental in making the festival happen, using her practical and organisational skills to build the festival’s audience and family.

Musiport Festival 2023

As Jim and Sue approach retirement, they are passing the festival on to new organiser Simon Williams. This year’s event represents their handover.



Musicport October 20th – 22nd 2023 at Whitby Pavilion

Get ready for an unforgettable experience at the festival! There are five stages, including The DJ Hub, Bob’s Blundabus, and the Open Mic Stage, that will keep you grooving with non-stop music and entertainment. But that’s not all! You can also explore the world market, indulge in kids’ activities, and participate in art, dance, and music workshops. Plus, there will be spoken word performances that will captivate your imagination.

Friday: Immerse yourself in the captivating sounds of Jasdeep Singh Degun and the vibrant rhythms of Ubunye. John Hegley will be gracing us with his poetic brilliance, and Joe Solo, Sunbeam and Sura Susso will also be performing.

Saturday: Prepare to be mesmerized by the enchanting vocals of Souad Massi and the infectious beats of Massilia Sound System DJ set. Gasper Nali, Hejira Project, Will Pound & Jenn Butterworth, Kathryn Williams, Mairi Campbell, Paul Armfield, Michael Mountain, Pete Atkin, State of Satta, and David Neil Crabtree will also be taking the stage.

Sunday: The Sisterhood, led by the incredible Sarah Jane Morris, will deliver a soul-stirring performance. Maya Youssef, Onipa, Martin Carthy, Kinaara, The Wagon Train, Hayley McKay, Mackie, Tropicana, and Harp and a Monkey with Fylingdales Folk Choir will also grace us with their immense talent.



Musicport Festival is worth checking out. With its impressive lineup of artists and diverse music genres, it’s no wonder this festival has become such a beloved annual tradition for so many people.

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