The Gulls, Port Isaac

We don’t pretend to be a Shanty Group! But with three Gulls being the original three Shanty Girls who started the Port Isaac Shanty Festival, there was no way we were not going to sing during that inaugural event … and continue to be part of those amazing weekends. And so our “Sea Section” was born and has grown over the past six years and now we’re even invited to sing at Shanty events far and wide!

So, of course we are going to sing at the Port Isaac Shanty Weekend 2026. Expect shanties, Cornish songs and songs of the sea with a bit of a female slant and we might even throw in a joke or two!

As a bit of an introduction, seven of us are best friends who have been singing, laughing, performing, talking, eating cake and drinking the odd glass (or two!) of wine for over twelve years. Last year we welcomed two new friends into our group. We mostly sing in and around Cornwall featuring an eclectic repertoire from the 40s onwards of covers, folk, rock and shanties with the emphasis on harmony and entertainment. We like to take classics from different genres and give them our own magic Gulls touch.

In this strong male genre we like to say a word (or two!) for the gals in the “days of yore”, left behind whilst their men sailed the high seas, who we like to think used to get together to talk, eat cake, enjoy a glass and sing a bit!

The Rusty Tubs

Hailing from Gloucestershire & Wiltshire, The Rusty Tubs are a sea shanty crew with a reputation for big voices, bold delivery, and a healthy disregard for restraint. Their sound is rooted in traditional shanties and maritime songs, sung loud and fast with driving rhythms and a mischievous glint in the eye. They strike a balance between musical muscle and good-natured chaos, delivering sets that feel communal, joyous, and just a little bit dangerous. Equal parts heritage and havoc, The Rusty Tubs bring the spirit of the sea to dry land. Rough-edged, full-blooded, and impossible to ignore.

Bencoolen Wreckers

The Bencoolen Wreckers were formed in 2011 and now consists of eight friends who enjoy singing a mix of Cornish songs and sea shanties from around the world.

The group is named after the Bencoolen Ship built in 1855 and which was shipwrecked during bad weather on Summerleaze Beach, Bude in 1862 with only six of the 33 crew saved. The wood from the smashed wreck was used to build several properties in Bude.

We can often be found singing in various pubs and venues in our home town of Bude, but have performed at many of the shanty festivals and charity events that are found around Cornwall, including Port Isaac, Boscastle and St Ives. Details of all forthcoming events can be found on our ‘Bencoolen Wreckers’ Facebook page.

For bookings please contact wreckers.bude@gmail.com or Nigel Martin 07889 571053

Acappella Moonshine

Established in 2024 in Fowey in Cornwall, we are a four piece acappella group focusing on original and traditional folk songs with a rich maritime history and strong Cornish connections.

We love harmonies and we love singing…

The Derry Airs

The DerryAirs are Downderry’s unique shanty band. Formed in 2019 the group is seven singers and instrumentalists. We sing popular shanties and songs about the sea and write songs about local history and myths - find us on our YouTube channel.

Hertford Shanty Folk

Hertford Shanty Folk was formed by a long-standing group of friends who have been singing shanty songs publicly for over 13 years. Inspired by friendship and a good time, our aim is to run open and inclusive shanty singing sessions where everybody’s enthusiasm is welcomed and nobody’s talent is judged!

Jump aboard the Good Ship - Hertford Shanty Folk and join the crew in a good old singalong.

Barrett’s Privateers

From the deep, resonating notes of the father and son bass to the high notes of the girls, Barrett's Privateers have delighted audiences throughout Cornwall and well beyond with their broad, rich harmonies.

Based on the Cornish side of the beautiful Tamar Valley, Barrett’s Privateers formed through the joy of acapella singing. Since forming in 2019, the group have been honoured to perform at a range of events from the Falmouth International Sea Shanty Festival, to the highly acclaimed Rock Oyster Festival.

In 2022, Barrett's Privateers recorded their debut album, Shed No Tears and were proud to represent Cornwall at the Festival Interceltique de Lorient in August. A new favourite venue in 2023 and 2024, was Carnglaze, where the Caverns proved an incredible experience for both Barrett’s and the audience, and a new album, 1778, was recorded in April.  They were also privileged in 2024, to be part of the Cornwall Air Ambulance #HELi2 Appeal where donated songs from Cornish groups on a compilation CD reached no. 11 in the compilation download charts.

Key highlights of 2025 were providing background music, taking part in a short film and entertaining crowds at the Royal Cornwall Show. Barrett’s Privateers also performed at Canterbury Festival of Music and Fine Arts to a sell-out audience.

Songs of the sea, shanties, traditional folk, Cornish and mining songs all feature regularly on their set lists. Barrett’s Privateers take each song and make it their own, with each of the voices finding a way to complement its neighbour, through the joy of just singing together. As such, the power and harmony within their lively performances are both enjoyable and hugely entertaining.   

Instagram: @barrettsprivateers

Facebook: facebook.com/barrettsprivateers

UTube: https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCGeWF2OS5W-17JU4icaBbkw

https://linktr.ee/BarrettsPrivateers

BARNACLE BOUYS

The Barnacle Buoys are from Clevedon in North Somerset, but they wander far and wide in their quest for great singing opportunities, to raise funds for charity and to sample great grog along the way. They are also fortunate to perform at some iconic venues, a good number of which are in the fabulous county of Cornwall – who would have thought that?

The Buoys have been together for more than 13 years singing a wide range of songs both old and new; always keeping a mix of material both popular and sometimes delightfully unusual.

The Buoys are looking forward to their return to Cornwall and to create and share treasured moments of music, camaraderie and maritime tradition. What better place to do that than Port Isaac!

Freddie’s Barnet

Freddie’s Barnet is a lively trio featuring James on vocals, Jon on guitar and backing vocals and Kev on bass, harp and backing vocals.  We play shanties and well known singalongs.  The Freddies have been described as ‘different from the rest’ which we take as a huge compliment.

Kelp

Kelp! are an eclectic crew of men hailing from Swanage, on the stunning Isle of Purbeck. Brought together by their shared love of the sea, they’ve discovered a deep joy in singing traditional sailors' working songs — the sea shanties that once powered tall ships across the oceans.

With rich harmonies, infectious rhythm, and the occasional guitar thrown in for good measure, Kelp! also stir in contemporary shanties to create lively, heartfelt performances full of energy and character.

Many of the group are sailors, lifeboat volunteers, or long-time friends rooted in the local maritime community. Through their music, they raise vital funds for the Swanage RNLI and other worthy local causes — keeping the spirit of the sea alive while giving back to those who serve it.

Rolling up, Rolling down at Swanage Carnival 2025

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5QK5oom6mFk&list=RD5QK5oom6mFk&start_radio=1

Whip Jamboree at Purbeck Valley Folk Festival 2025

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kKxiDBLntbc&list=RDkKxiDBLntbc&start_radio=1

Oak and Stone at Purbeck Valley Folk Festival 2025

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DKnrzP_AJ6A&list=RDDKnrzP_AJ6A&start_radio=1

SLUGBEARD

FalmouthShout are a group of friends who enjoy a song and a drink whilst raising funds for their chosen charities, notably the RNLI and Cornwall Air Ambulance. Formed over 20 years ago by ex Falmouth lifeboat crew, we have helped rejuvenate shanty singing over the years, most notably as founders of the Falmouth International Sea Shanty Festival. We are delighted to be singing again at the Port Isaac shanty weekend, an event close to our hearts!

Falmouth Shout

The Harry Browns of Bristol

Harbour Buoys

Formed three years ago, Harbour Buoys are a trio with a very varied repertoire of shanties, sea and folk songs. All their music is accompanied either by guitars or guitar and mandolin. Their love of singing comes from two members having many years experience in male voice choirs and the third member has a long association with folk music. Last year they toured the Scillies to wide acclaim. And are enjoying being part of the Shanty festival scene

The Overmorrow

The Overmorrow are a Bristol based four piece. They play mostly original material in a folk rock vein with occasional leanings towards shanty. David, the drummer has a long association with Port Isaac beginning with the wedding of a good friend up at Trewetha Farm nearly 30 years ago and has been coming here ever since with his family.  Whimsical, charming and sometimes downright foot stomping. Listen, enjoy dance. The Overmorrow have it all.

Shanty Sam

Shanty Sam is finally making his way to Port Isaac! Singing both solo and more recently with the Stunsl's, and around the country and abroad, he always has a set that will make you laugh or cry or both! Prepare for the worst, that way you'll be pleasantly surprised!

Anglers Mates

Brothers Roger and Alan Green formed this duo with the aim of playing and singing Fisherman’s Friends songs to audiences in care homes, lunch clubs and charities. They really love performing in front of a live audience.

Says Alan, “We are happy to play for free but if people insist on paying us we donate all the money to charities close to our heart.”

Femmes de la Mer are a group of women hailing from across Cornwall. Each individual member brings a unique sound to the group, yet it’s their blend of a cappella voices that has gained them recognition amongst the folk and sea shanty communities.  

Led by musical director, Claire Ingleheart, this women+ group are known for their rich harmonies and bold interpretations of well known traditional songs as well as newly written shanties celebrating the lives and stories of Cornish women.  

 After launching their first album, Today’s Haul, a beautiful collection of shanties and songs of the sea, they recently appeared on the latest BBC series of Rick Stein Cornwall, The Mark Radcliffe Folk Show and you can also hear members, Claire and Naomi interviewed on Outlook, BBC World Service!  

Sudden Squall

A dynamic trio from West Penwith; known for their entertaining and invigorating renditions of sea shanties and Cornish songs, old and new.

Although the group was newly formed in 2024, we have all sung previously in other shanty groups (The Foghorn Three, Shall'ee Shanties, and The Shantillies), and performed variously at festivals including Mevagissey, Cockwood, Port Isaac and St Ives. 

Our name, Sudden Squall, reflects the unpredictable, and powerful nature of the sea; a theme which deeply resonates in our choice of music. So, as well as singing the popular maritime and Cornish songs that you know and love, we’ll also introduce you to some lesser known tunes. But we guarantee that these rhythmic harmonies, with tales of the high seas and our beloved Cornwall, will get your feet a-jigging, and your faces smiling. We hope you won’t be able to resist singing along!

Singing the songs of the sea
Based in South Zeal on the edge of Dartmoor in Devon, Mariners Away are a long-established shanty crew formed in 2007 who perform traditional sea shanties and other songs of the sea.

We’re a bunch of good mates who love singing with a sprinkle of harmony and a good chorus — whether that’s in a packed festival field, a village hall or the corner of a pub where the songs really come alive.

We perform throughout the year generally at events in Devon, Cornwall or Dorset but occasionally even further afield too.

Our music draws on maritime and folk traditions, but we’re not precious about it. We sing for enjoyment, for atmosphere, and for the people in front of us.

If you like songs with stories, plenty of character and the occasional grin along the way, you’ll feel right at home with Mariners Away.

Batten Down the Hatches

Throw away your preconceptions of the shanty scene and get ready to be energised, amused and enthused by this dynamic four-man crew from the Exe estuary. Delivering a mix of traditional and new shanties with an on the future and a nod to the past, Batten Down the Hatches are sure to get audiences singing, all the way home …

Figurehead

Figurehead are an all female shanty group from North Cornwall who share a love of songs with a traditional, nautical and maritime flavour. In fact if it contains a reference, however slight, to water, we consider it fair game.!

The group originally formed as a bit of fun around a kitchen table for five women who shared a love of sea songs and harmonies. Over the years the personnel have changed but the love of singing in harmony together and entertaining people with foot stomping songs and shanties remains constant.

Currently the members are Cath, Rachel, Sharon and Gill. As well as singing at local events, they can be seen performing at a wide variety of festivals around the South West. In recent years they also enjoyed performing on Radio 5 Live Sunday breakfast and appearing on Cbeebies!

C.A.S.K.

C.A.S.K. (Collings A cappella Shanty Krew) are a Daughter and Father shanty duo from Teignmouth. They have performed at various Pirate and Shanty Festivals from Falmouth to Oban, during lockdown they have submitted videos and been involved on live feeds for virtual festivals further afield on the east coast of America for “Weathering The Storm” and Canada for “Festival Des Pirates”, then last year performed at Bie Daip Festival in Appingedam, Netherlands.

Garbed as Mermaid and Pirate, they have a strikingly different look as well as beautifully blended harmonies. 

C.A.S.K fundraise for FNDfriends, a charity for which Kathryn volunteers as Youth Ambassador, note all profits from our inaugural album “First Tipple” are going to FNDfriends. 

We are excited to be part of the Port Isaac Shanty Weekend, hoping to meet up with old friends and make new ones.

If you enjoy our performance please find, follow and like us:

Facebook: @CaskShantyDuo

@TeignmouthMermaid

Instagram: teignmouth_mermaid

FORESAIL

A four strong, acapella singing group who specialise in regional folk songs and songs of the sea.  Helen, Jeremy, Mark and Nigel have their roots in Cornwall but over the last couple of years have spread their westcountry wings to sing at events in Devon, Somerset & Dorset as well.

Simon the Shanty Harpist

When all about are losing theirs and blaming it on you,

And you realise that only shanty harpists now will do,

When the rogues are on the rampage and the gremlins have their spies out,

Then it’s very fortunate you’re going to Port Isaac.

There you’ll be regaled by sundry sea songs nautical

And, what’ere your trouble, a shanty harp will sort it all.

Songs of wild adventure, of lone sailors, legends chronicled

Accompanied by shanty harp in manner often comical.

And thus, what’ere disasters and what’ere has gone askew

Simon The Shanty Harpist will come flying to the rescue! 

Pilchard the Pirate

Pilchard the Pirate is a Cornish solo performer specialising in maritime folk, Cornish folk, and traditional sea shanties. Performing unaccompanied, he brings a direct and authentic style shaped by Cornwall’s rich musical heritage.

His repertoire combines well-known shanties with songs of Cornwall, including material by respected local songwriter Harry Glasson. Alongside his solo work, he is an active member of Cornwall’s established shanty scene, regularly performing with vocal groups and at events across the county.

Beyond the music, his distinctive character is a familiar presence at festivals and events, where he also supports a wide range of community and charity causes.

Grounded, honest, and engaging, Pilchard the Pirate delivers songs as they’re meant to be heard — simply and well sung.

Stuns’ls

Born from the salt, sweat and occasional chaos of Cornish Pilot Gig rowing, Stuns'ls is a sea shanty group formed from the rowing clubs of Mevagissey, Charlestown and Truro. The name comes from one of their earliest songs, "Old Maui" - a stuns'l (studding sail) being the extra sail a square-rigger sets to catch the faintest winds and squeeze out a little more speed.

It seemed an appropriate name for a group of rowers who decided that if they could pull together on the water, they could probably sing together on dry land too. What started as a few voices raised after training sessions and regattas has grown into a harmony-loving crew with a passion for sea shanties and Cornish folk songs. Like gig rowing itself, singing shanties is about rhythm, teamwork and timing — everyone pulling (or singing) together to make something bigger than the sum of its parts.

Over the past two years, Stuns'ls have had the honour of performing for Charles III and Camilla, Queen Consort, appeared on Rick Stein's Cornwall, and provided the voices for Visit Cornwall's campaign around the G7 Summit 2021. At heart though, they're still the same bunch of rowers who love a good song after a good pull. Every shanty carries a story from the sea, and Stuns'Is are determined to keep those stories alive - preferably with plenty of laughter.