The Falmouth International Sea Shanty Festival proved once again why it holds the title of Europe's largest free nautical music celebration, drawing thousands of visitors to Cornwall's picturesque waterfront this weekend for an unforgettable maritime musical experience.

Wrecked Again ready to sing their hearts out on the St Mawes Ferry floating stage

In a festival first, Fal River introduced an innovative floating stage on board the St Mawes Ferry, bringing the music directly to the water's edge and creating an authentic nautical atmosphere that had crowds singing along from multiple waterfront venues. Four outstanding shanty groups – the Back Beach Boyz, Wrecked Again, Five Men Not Called Matt, and Severn Whalers – took to the floating platform, delivering rousing performances that brought joy to the festival.

Five Men Not Called Matt and Severn Whalers join forces to create a super shanty group for the crowds at Custom House Quay

The floating stage proved popular with the singers and the crowds as the popular local ferry the Duchess of Cornwall moved between the festival's main stages, bringing the music directly to audiences gathered at the Royal Cornwall Yacht Club, The Greenbank Hotel, Custom House Quay, Events Square, and Church Street Stage. With the tide running high throughout the performances, the floating musicians were able to get remarkably close to shore-based crowds, creating an intimate connection between performers and the audience that had everyone joining in with traditional sea shanties and maritime songs.

The Back Beach Boyz enjoy the sunshine on the St Mawes Ferry

Perfect weather conditions added to the weekend's success, with clear skies and calm waters providing ideal conditions for both the floating performances and the thousands of spectators who attended Falmouth's many venues. The combination of stunning Cornish coastal scenery, perfect weather, and exceptional musical performances created an atmosphere that will be remembered and talked about for months to come.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who smiled, waved, filmed and generally enjoyed the floating stage. Special recognition goes to the four brilliant shanty groups who embraced the adventure of performing on the floating stage, adapting their performances to this innovative new format and helping to create something truly special for festival goers.

We are already looking ahead to next year's celebration of nautical music and maritime heritage, and we will be bringing our floating stage back again next year!