The Trouble Notes are a progressive folk rock trio whose music feels naturally at home in the magical realms of fantasy and folk festivals. The group is made up of Bennet (violin, USA), Flo (guitar, Germany), and George (drums/percussion, UK). They’ve been carving out a distinctive identity since 2013: technical virtuosity that stays deeply human, narrative-driven performance, and a proven ability to unite a crowd through rhythm and melody. Their sound blends folk motifs and classical precision with driving grooves and full-blooded rock energy. At their core, they are three musicians on stage, but with a sound that lands like a much bigger band. Their style reaches far beyond any one tradition, drawing in global influences with openness and respect, while keeping the live energy and storytelling front and center.
Since 2017, The Trouble Notes have become a beloved name in the fantasy festival community, enchanting audiences across Europe and the USA. Their concerts carry a cinematic arc, but the heart of the experience is connection: the shared lift of a chorus, the instinct to dance, the sense that strangers can morph into a community by the end of the show.
Beyond the stage, the band’s “More Violins, Less Violence” campaign now helps raise funds for War Child turning music into something that reaches further than the final note. Their journey has taken them widely, with performances in over 35 countries, collaborations with world-renowned artists such as Jethro Tull and Rodrigo y Gabriela, and appearances on international television in the United States, Japan, and Brazil. Media praise echoes what festival audiences already know: BBC Radio described their music as “Like nothing I’ve ever seen before… taking you on a journey around the world,” while the Chicago Tribune called it “a perfect blend of excitement… unmatched and energizing.”
At Castlefest, expect a soundscape where myth, history, and imagination feel close enough to touch, carried by soaring strings, primal percussion, and the timeless power of storytelling. Warm, powerful, and sincere, this is music made to be shared.
2 August 2026
Forest stage
