One of the South West’s most distinctive music festivals will be beamed into homes across the South Hams for free this weekend.

The Covid-19 crisis saw the cancellation of the hugely popular, annual Totnes-based Sea Change festival, but organisers have had a rethink and decided to stage it online instead.

The online festival will burst with exclusive performances, events and conversations, which will spread across all social platforms.

Among the highlights will be live music and appearances from world-renowned musician and composer Yann Tiersen; folk singer Shirley Collins; English music hero, troubadour and skiffle afficionado Billy Bragg. The festival will also feature exciting, vital talents Porridge Radio, Katie Von Schleicher, Nap Eyes, Gordi, Mystery Jets, Richard Norris and Joe Muggs.

Prize-winning author Gord Burn and David Keenan will host Autonomic Tarot online; revered music journalist Jon Savage will trace the history of Joy Division; and writer Rob Chapman will explore his acclaimed biography of Syd Barrett ’A Very Irregular Head’.

Tim Burgess, writer, broadcaster, curator and leader of The Charlatans, who was due to headline the festival’s main stage this year, is due to host a special double length Sunday edition of his spirit-raising #timstwitterlisteningparty.

The two full days of music, literature, conversation and film will also feature Heavenly Recordings, Rough Trade Books, Erased Tapes, 4AD, Mute, Journey To Nutopia and Faber.

Festival founder, Rupert Morrison, said:“In these confusing days, it came as no surprise to anyone when we had to postpone. Amidst this heartbreak, the Sea Change community really showed itself; we have received a barrage of warm wishes and offers of support from our audience, supporters, artists, label partners, friends and total strangers.

“It seems to us that in these uncertain times, an event like Sea Change is, perhaps, more vital than ever. So, this year, our intimate festival will become not quite so intimate; as the exclusive festival merchandise will make clear, quoting the wise words of North Norfolk Digital’s Alan Partridge, Sea Change will be ‘broadcasting to a global audience’.

“We’ll invite online festival-goers to delight in the cultures that we have spent the last five years celebrating and to experience something of the special atmosphere of Sea Change, We’ll all be together while forced to be apart.”

Sea Change is taking place tomorrow and Sunday (April 25 and 26) and is free to all online at seachangefestival.co.uk

The real-life, physical version of Sea Change is due to return in May 2021.