About this episode

This episode explores the upcoming Real Ale and Sea Shanty Festival in Bristol, featuring music, community stories, and the journey of a performer overcoming challenges.

Yo, folks! We're diving into the deep end of sea shanties and good vibes in this episode, and let me tell ya, the upcoming Real Ale and Sea Shanty Festival happening in Bristol on May 9th and 10th, 2026. We're talking about an epic gathering at Freemasons Hall, where the legendary Porter Bristol Shanty Crew will be belting out tunes alongside special guest Tom Lewis. And don't even get me started on the atmosphere—it's gonna be a blast with powerful harmonies, maritime history, and a selection of real ales and ciders that’ll have you singing all night long! We also hear from people who attended the Bristol Trelawny shout , with Olly the Shanty Boy We’ve also got some heartwarming stories, like our chat with Katherine Collins, who shares her journey of overcoming challenges to perform on stage as a mermaid. Takeaways: The Real Ale and Sea Shanty Festival is coming back to Bristol in May 2026, and it's going to be a blast with tons of shanty singers and good vibes. Singing sea shanties isn't just about music; it's a way to connect with maritime history and celebrate community spirit, which is super cool. Catherine Collins, a member of the shanty crew, shares her inspiring journey…

People in this episode

Host: Justin Blackett

Guest: Tom Lewis

Topics covered

• sea shanties
• music festival
• maritime history
• community spirit
• inclusivity
• live performances

Keywords

• sea shanties
• Bristol
• music festival
• Katherine Collins
• Porter Bristol Shanty Crew
• community
• real ales
• inclusivity

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Porter Bristol Shanty Crew

Places: Bristol

More episodes of Shipshape and Bristol Fashion

• Shanties, Sunshine, and St. Piran's Day: A Nautical Adventure! · March 5, 2026 · 32 min
• From the Captain's Quarters: Nobby's Nautical Nuggets · February 4, 2026 · 35 min
• Pride of Britain Charity Concert Highlights! · January 4, 2026 · 1h 23m
• St. Ives Shanty Shout Vibes: Celebrating Music, Community, and Fundraising! · December 4, 2025 · 43 min
• Aye Aye Captain! Meet Muff & Thunderbox of the Port of Bristol Crew! · November 4, 2025 · 42 min
• The Beyoncé of the Shanty World – Tom Lewis in Conversation · October 5, 2025 · 1h 13m

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