The Julie July Band Acoustic present an evening of original songs and classic folk-rock favourites. With over eight years experience performing at festivals, arts centres and theatres across the UK and Europe, the band blend timeless British folk influences with their own original songwriting music that feels both contemporary and rooted in tradition. Stripped back for an intimate setting, the acoustic line-up shines a light on the band's songwriting craft and rich harmonies. Their performances feature powerful vocals, soulful arrangements and skilled musicianship, engaging audiences from the first note to the last. Expect favourites from their acclaimed albums Lady of the First Light, Wonderland and Flight of Fancy, alongside a sprinkling of carefully chosen classics. Critics and audiences alike have praised the band: A vocal tour de force evocative and melodic. (R2 Magazine). Beautiful songs, beautifully performed. (Festival Flyer). Incredible musicianship and stage presence had the audience spellbound. (Shrewsbury Folk Festival review). Absolutely fantastic night one of the best folk-rock bands around. (Audience reviews) Whether in concert halls, festivals, or bijou venues, the Julie July Band continue to win hearts with their warmth, passion and the sheer joy they bring to live performance.

Northern Resonance is the Scandinavian string trio that takes newly composed folk music into enormous soundscapes. With their previously untested combination of instruments; Anna Ekborg Hans-Ers (Viola Damore) Petrus Dillner (Nyckelharpa) Jerker JJ Hans-Ers (Hardanger Fiddle) they let Scandinavian music meet explosive rhythms and grand chamber-like arrangements that takes folk music in a new direction. All members are highly skilled and accomplished musicians, rooted in traditional music. With an intense musical connection that is rare to come across, they invite you into their world of compositions. There is great life in their tunes, and the trio knows how to bring it out. With their debut album which was released in the autumn of 2020, Northern Resonance have already established themselves with a glorious sound. The album was nominated for a Swedish Grammy and they recently released their second album Vision of Three. During 2024 the trio are performing in Australia, Chile, Colombia, Germany, USA, Canada, England and Scotland, all under the name Vision Tour 2024. With their close interplay, the trio moves effortlessly outside the soundscape of the tradition but moves just as easily within it. (Lira Music Magazine). With several beautifully crafted and decorated instruments on stage, this band is a visual treat as well as a feast for the ears. (FolkWorld Magazine). Old is new, and new is old; Northern Resonance combines the two on Vision of Three, touching on sounds rarely heard, contextualizing them with instruments made new in the remarkable hands of these musicians. It is joy unbound. (KLOF Mag). Northern Resonance moves freely within the music. They create nice and expressive arrangements in a classical style with a modern sound. (RFoD).

Rory Mcleod - ex-circus clown and fire eater. A one man soulband, poet and storyteller, singing his own unique upbeat dance stories. A modern travelling troubadour using tap shoes, acappella, harmonica, guitar, trombone, spoons, finger cymbals, bandorea, djembe and various percussion instruments!

Holly Clarke, a singer who draws from the old ballads and stories, conjures a performance that immediately captivates any listener. As a performer, Holly transports the listener into the heart of ballads, immersing them in the narratives that have shaped humanities experience through time. From songs of the supernatural and folklore, to the tales of love and loss, Holly Clarke sings with an infectious energy and passion for traditional song. Rising in popularity among folk audiences and performing with the likes of Nancy Kerr and James Fagan, Daoiri Farrell and Queer Folk, Holly Clarke has made a name for herself as a powerful singer and accomplished guitar player. Performing at festivals and venues such as The Glasshouse International Centre For Music, Sidmouth Folk Festival, Bromyard Folk Festival, Tiree Music Festival, The Fire Station Sunderland and many, many more. Alongside Holly’s affinity for traditional ballads, she is a strong composer in her own right, with her tune compositions being performed by Norwegian Hardanger Fiddle legend Annbjørg Lien and Shetland’s very own Catriona Macdonald. Outside of performing, between 2019 to 2020 Holly was The Glasshouse International Centre for music’s Artist in Residence specialising in traditional folk song and ballads. As well as performing solo, Holly has a duo with George Sansome (Granny’s Attic), The powerhouse band RE:VULVA (Amy Thatcher, Janice Burns, Cathy Geldard) and also gigs with the trio Holly and the Reivers, featuring Newcastle based musicians Bertie Armstrong (banjo and voice) and Merle Harbron (fiddle and voice), with whom she supported the legendary Billy Bragg at Folk on the Tyne Festival.

Sensational guitar playing, evocative singing, and unforgettable storytelling. The brothers Brendan and Declan Murphy give an uplifting account of their early life growing up on the Irish border during the Troubles. The show draws on their latest albums Crescent Nights and Sugar Island as well as a selection of their Irish hits which span over 30 years beginning with their award-winning debut Songs For The Tempted. '"Sales of growing up that perfectly capture the dark times" ★★★★(Daily Express). "Rather special" ★★★★ (Acoustic Magazine). "Border boys in troubled times. Pop/folk .of the highest order" ★★★★ (Irish Times).

Eleanor McEvoy has been exposed to music from a very early age with a musical upbringing playing the piano, violin and performing on stage with her older siblings. Eleanor graduated in music from Trinity in Dublin and set out to pay her way through life as a musician writing her own songs while waiting for the opportunity to branch out on her own. Eleanor spent four years in Ireland’s National Symphony Orchestra (NSO), she recorded studio sessions as a singer, fiddle and keyboard player and joined Irish diva Mary Black’s touring band. Embarking on full time song-writing she’s co-written with Rodney Crowell, Lloyd Cole, Henry (The Christians) Priestman, Johnny Rivers and Dave Rotheray of the Beautiful South.

Miranda Sykes and Jim Causley. 2 of the finest folk singers and performers together for a concert in the beautiful surroundings of St George's Venue in Hartlepool.

Glasgow-born singer-songwriter Michael McGovern blends poetic lyricism with folk roots, evolving beyond his acclaimed debut Highfield Suite. His new album Thin White Road showcases full-band arrangements, literary influences, and viral single Evelyn, cementing him as a compelling new contemporary folk voice. Michael's poetic lyrics and fingerpicked nylon-string guitar craft a deeply emotional folk sound. His debut album, Highfield Suite (2021), recorded during isolation in 2020 and produced by Bill Shanley, earned critical praise across the UK and Ireland. Including BBC Album of the Week, RTE Lyric feature, and an unexpected gem nod from folk legend Paul Brady. His new album Thin White Road marks a confident step forward, expanding on his folk roots with full-band arrangements, layered harmonies, and touches of saxophone and strings. The breakout single Evelyn went viral in early 2025, sparking a wave of online covers. The album draws on literary influences like Laurie Lee, Hunter S. Thompson, and T.S. Michael's live shows are celebrated for their emotional impact and warmth. Thin White Road confirms him as one of the most compelling new voices in contemporary folk.

Chris Brain emerged out of Leeds’ vibrant folk scene in 2022 with his debut, critically acclaimed and widely distributed album, Bound to Rise, reaching Number 22 in the UK Folk Charts. His much-anticipated second album, Steady Away, moves inward and takes on a more self-reflective quality, whilst retaining glimmers of soaring figures and pastoral imagery. Brain’s distinctive warm vocal and finger-picked guitar style are sustained alongside expansive strings and delicate piano arrangements, taking shape through evolving and introspective impressions on tenderness, loss, pain and awe in nature. Glancing off The Nave’s eaved ceilings with natural reverb, Steady Away’s 11 tracks, recorded by Tom Orrell, capture the intimacy of Chris’ songwriting. Steady Away further embeds Chris Brain within the contemporary folk scene, whilst gesturing towards the folk tradition. His commitment to folk is only deepened by the two folk clubs and folk festival in Leeds that Chris founded and runs, attracting a wide range of audiences and musicians alike.

Steve Tilston is one of the celebrated song smiths, widely recognised within the world of folk and contemporary music; the words, arrangements and subtle, quite superb guitar playing could be no one else.

With more than 25 years of unrivalled musical partnership and gathering numerous nominations, awards and critical acclaim along the way, much beloved British singer-songwriters Chris While and Julie Matthews celebrated a quarter of a century last year as one of the best loved and most prolific female duos to come out of this country. Chris While (vocals, guitar, banjo, dulcimer, bodhran and percussion) & Julie Matthews (vocals, piano, guitar, mandolin and bouzouki) are stunning singers, songwriters, musicians and performers whose energy and commitment to their craft and their audience is boundless. They are two of the best and most hard working musicians on the world folk roots scene, both are highly regarded producers and they record everything that they are involved in at their own studio in a small Pennine town far from the London-centric music industry. They truly are inspirational women. They have been nominated ten times in the BBC Radio 2 Folk music awards in the Best Song, Best Duo and Best Live Act categories and winning Best Duo in 2009 but it is their longstanding and devoted growing fans that they care about most.

A new show celebrating the work of two of our finest and funniest wordsmiths John Watterson is delighted to announce his show for 2024, celebrating the life, songs and wonderful wordsmithery of the great Yorkshire chansonnier, and the hilarious poetry of the finest Poet Laureate we never had. Without Jake Leeds-born Jake Thackray (1938-2002) is increasingly recognised as being one of the greatest English songwriters of the twentieth century, a unique talent, whose songs are full of poetry, wit, irreverence and humanity. He became known to millions through his regular appearances in the 1960s and 1970s on programmes such as Braden's Week and That's Life. Since his death in obscurity there has been growing recognition of his genius and a resurgence of interest in his work. His admirers include Jarvis Cocker, Alex Turner, Don Black, Thea Gilmore, Cerys Matthews, Benjamin Clementine and Neil Gaiman. John Watterson is the UK's leading performer of Jake's songs. As Fake Thackray he has toured with Fairport Convention and performed at Latitude, Cropredy and the Edinburgh Fringe Festivals. He has also played for Jake's family. John has appeared many times on radio, including Radio 4's Great Lives, a Radio 2 documentary on Jake presented by Cerys Matthews and Radio 3's The Verb hosted by Ian McMillan. Most recently he appeared on TVs Meet the Richardsons with Jon Richardson and Lucy Beaumont. The show will include many Jake classics (Sister Josephine, On Again On Again, The Bantam Cock and others), anecdotes from John's research into Jake's life for the recently published biography as well as some of the lost Thackray songs John has rediscovered and recorded on his CD, The Lost Will and Testament of Jake Thackray. Without Les Before turning his hand to poetry, Mancunian Les Barker was a chartered accountant, working at the city's town hall until 1982. But he found it boring. He discovered that his real talent was in writing silly poems, which he would perform at local folk clubs. He soon became a regular at folk clubs and festivals. By his side was Mrs Ackroyd, his dog and loyal companion. He toured America and Australia, and his genius and silliness were treasured everywhere. His poems set to music were recorded by the US folk singer Tom Paxton, the English folk singer June Tabor, the English folk group Waterson:Carthy, and many others. The Financial Times praised his work as a blend of Edward Lear nonsense, Stanley Unwin wordplay, the surreal inconsequentiality of Reeves and Mortimer and the demonic robustness of Stanley Holloway monologues. Les Barker's wonderful poetry is celebrated through such gems as Reg was a Lonely Glow Worm, Dachsunds with Erections, Spot of the Antarctic and Déjà vu. Les had a serious side, too. He was politically aware and had an acute social conscience. His poems The Civilised War, with its opening line of How goes the war on terror, George, and The Church of the Holy Undecided got him into trouble in America, leading to cancelled concerts and a refusal to grant him a work permit for his next tour. Affectionate and skilful. Long may John continue (Sir Richard Stilgoe). Jake's songs are in safe hands (Ralph McTell). I am sure my old friend would be delighted (Jasper Carrott).

Contemporary folk/acoustic duo Gilmore & Roberts combine award-winning songwriting with astounding musicianship and their trademark harmonies to create a powerful wall of sound. Nominated three times at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards, Katriona Gilmore (fiddle, mandolin) and Jamie Roberts (guitar) met while studying at Leeds College of Music and released their debut album in 2008. Since then, the duo have toured Canada and mainland Europe, played some of the UK's biggest acoustic festivals, toured with folk rock legends Fairport Convention and won countless accolades for their genre-spanning work. Gilmore & Roberts released their fifth studio album, A Problem Of Our Kind, in October 2018.

Alice, Alice, who the hell is Greazy Alice Good question. Good question. First and foremost she is a character from Terry Allen's seminal 1975 song cycle Juarez, a working girl, if you will, haunting a cantina on the Mexican border, walking the tightrope between Dos Equis and XXX. Well Im sitting in a border palace, suckin on Dos Equis beer, suckin with Greazy Alice Border Palace by Terry Allen. In the mid 2010's New Orleans musician Alex Pianovich was searching for a moniker under which to present some new material written as an artist's rendering of that Big Easy bar band sound. Upon hearing Juarez he knew he had a name. Greazy Alice poured out sleazy hard-riffing rock n roll, smoky dive bar blues, and telecaster-driven honky tonk twang. Drunk and dirty, down and out, spend it all tonight may never come. Pianovich and an ever-evolving group of accomplices tried to strike the balance between a winking caricature and heartfelt homage to the music they loved. It was a hell of a lot of fun. Over the last decade Greazy Alice morphed innumerable times eventually becoming the umbrella under which Pianovich presents most of his music. The current incarnation of the band took shape in November 2024, when Pianovich began to cut demos with an airtight rhythm section consisting of longtime friend Will Repholz on bass and frequent studio collaborator Lee Garcia on drums. Pianovich built on this foundation with swirling guitars and twinkling honky tonk keys. With the final addition of harmony vocals from local singer-songwriter Jo Morris there was magic on the tape. A sound had emerged and it was clear that these tracks were bound to become more than demos. Before long they had a full LP tied up on a couple of reels of 1 inch ATR magnetic tape. As Time Goes By documents a moment in time, a moment of reflection, loss, growth and hope. A melancholic sweetness runs through those eleven songs and, in contrast with previous work from Greazy Alice, the focus of this album lies squarely on Pianovich's songwriting. It is personal, earnest, and introspective while still evoking elements of the band's earlier bar room aesthetic. It is an honest snapshot of how the band sounds right now and will remain an enjoyable album to revisit regardless of who/what/where Greazy Alice will be in the future. 'stunning debut from New Orleans-based quartet a sublime mix of radiant country and heart-worn honkytonk (9/10 Uncut).

Alan Daniel Tobin is a West Corkbased songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist whose music flexes between the sadness and delight of everyday life. Hugely influenced by the Atlantic Ocean, the wild West Cork landscape and his family, his songs carry a deep sense of place, and a minor obsession with lighthouses. Working from his log-cabin studio, Tobin has released four albums (two solo as ADT and two with his alt-folk band LOWmountain), with new music due in 2026. He has shared stages with the likes of Glen Hansard, Gemma Hayes and Mick Flannery, and appeared on Other Voices and TG4's Glór Tíre. Performing with warmth, humour and emotional precision, his live shows move effortlessly between hushed intimacy and soaring, atmospheric moments that linger long after the final note.

John Adams is a Welsh singer-songwriter whose powerful, emotive vocals and deeply personal songs create intimate, quietly captivating live shows - ideal for a romantic evening out. Blending stripped-back acoustic arrangements with subtle modern production, his music sits comfortably between contemporary pop and the evocative folk he was raised on, exploring love, connection, and vulnerability in a way that feels both personal and widely relatable. A favourite of BBC Radio 2, Adams has built a substantial global following, amassing over 250 million streams across his releases. You may have heard his music featured on major TV shows including Love Island, Im a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here! and The Voice. His songwriting has also caught the attention of other artists, with recent cuts recorded by Calum Scott. His live performances have earned praise from Clare Balding (BBC Radio 2), Gary Barlow, and Carol Vorderman, who described his shows as Sensational. With over a decade of live experience, sold-out UK tours,and support slots alongside major artists, John Adams delivers a live show that is both emotionally resonant and effortlessly engaging. Come and experience John Adams live - where these songs are at their most powerful.

The John McCusker Trio is led by John McCusker, one of the most revered and decorated traditional musicians of his generation. A multi award-winning fiddle player, producer and composer, John has been at the heart of the UK folk scene for over three decades. His distinctive, emotionally charged playing and masterful compositions have made him a linchpin of contemporary Celtic music. John is renowned for his skill at transcending musical boundaries. Since 2008 John has been a member of Mark Knopfler’s studio and touring band, in John’s words: “turning my world upside down in the best possible way. I have learned so much from Mark and the rest of his band, not least how to perform on big stages in arenas around the world including Madison Square Garden, the Hollywood Bowl and the Royal Albert Hall.” As a live and studio guest he has also performed with David Gilmour, Eric Clapton, Paul Weller, Paolo Nutini, Teenage Fanclub, Idlewild, The Proclaimers, Texas, Graham Coxon, Ocean Colour Scene, Julie Fowlis, Eddi Reader… John was awarded the coveted BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards Musician of the Year in 2003, and The Spirit of Scotland Award for music in 1999 and again in 2009. 2016 saw John receive the Good Tradition Award and perform with his band at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards at The Royal Albert Hall. John won the Music Category at the Scottish Culture Awards in 2019. He is joined by two of the most sought-after talents on the UK folk circuit. Sam Kelly, winner of the Horizon Award at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards and finalist on Britain’s Got Talent, has built a devoted following as frontman of Sam Kelly & The Lost Boys. His spellbinding voice, effortless charisma, and genre-blending approach have seen him perform at major festivals such as Cambridge Folk Festival and Glastonbury, as well as on stages across Europe with Kate Rusby. Completing the trio is Toby Shaer, a virtuoso multi-instrumentalist whose stunning command of flutes, whistles and guitars has made him a go-to touring musician for Cara Dillon. Toby has performed in some of the UK’s most prestigious venues earning a reputation for his dynamic, expressive playing. Together, the John McCusker Trio brings a thrilling combination of instrumental brilliance, heartfelt songs, and unforgettable live energy. Their performances – a rich tapestry of original compositions, traditional melodies, and contemporary folk songs – captivate audiences with warmth, humour, and sheer musical class.

Imagine Tammy Wynette crossed with The Ventures and youll have an idea of the sonic world of Americana artist Stacy Antonel's forthcoming EP, The Seahorses: Volume 1. Always a genre-defying artist, Antonel blends her passion for classic country, jazz and surf rock with this collection of songs, and the result is a fresh hybrid of musical styles that feels both vintage and hyper-modern. Recorded at Nashville's Fitting Room Studio, the band includes heavy hitters Ethan Ballinger (Miranda Lambert), Joe Reed (Merle Haggard), Paul Sgroi (Josh Hedley) and San Diego jazz phenom Tony Econom. Antonel grew up in a seaside San Diego town called Ocean Beach, listening to pop and R&B hits and studying classical piano until she was eighteen. She cites an eclectic range of artists as her earliest musical inspirations: Tori Amos for her peculiar phrasing and distinct songwriting, Otis Redding for his rich, emotive vocal delivery. After graduating from UC Berkeley, she moved to Buenos Aires, where she answered a Craigslist ad for a singer who sounds like June Carter Cash, and contributed vocals to several jingles for MTV and Jeep that aired throughout Latin America. She sang in a friend's electro-cumbia band for a while before returning to California, where she started singing professionally at weddings, bars, and local venues. But it wasnt until discovering country music that she felt at home. One day I randomly bought a bunch of 99 cent country records and fell in love with the genre; the concision of the writing, the wit, how it doesnt take itself too seriously even while dealing with deep subject matter. Antonel's debut album Always the Outsider, released in 2022, blends elements of mid-century country music with unconventional subject matter and virtuosic instrumentation including tracks with Doug Pettibone (Lucinda Williams) on pedal steel and acoustic guitar. The thematically unique collection explores metaphysical and supernatural concepts (alien-earthling romance, past-life trauma) as well as grounded narratives of everyday experience (isolation, disconnectedness, sexual desire, feeling like an alien in your own body). Always the Outsider was critically praised, netting coverage in publications from Holler Country to The Bluegrass Situation, and was hailed as a 2022 Essential Album by Saving Country Music.

When Zoë Wren and Jasmine Watkiss first met, their friends forced them to sing a tune together in the very public setting of a market square in Cambridgeshire, UK. Their musical chemistry was instantaneous and it led them to form Americana duo Roswell Road. The London-based multi-instrumentalists blend close harmonies with candid storytelling, drawing on real experiences from mental health to family love to real-life activist adventures at sea. Mina Koar is a Slovenian musician who creates sincere musical stories by blending indie, pop, R&B, and soul. Her work is characterized by guitar-driven arrangements, gentle lyrics, and a warm vocal tone. In her original songs, she explores the beauty of everyday moments and her inner emotional landscape.

A Different Thread are back with their new album 'Call of the Road'. Eleven new songs about love, longing, and wanderlust. A Different Thread's is fronted by the duo Alicia Best from North Carolina and Robert Jackson from the Midlands of England. They originally met busking in Ireland and have been on the road ever since, recording, and touring internationally. They have supported the likes of Jody Stevens (Big Star) and Native Harrow, as well as garnering the attention of the BBC and NPR radio. 'Call of the Road' pulls from the band's respective roots, weaving together elements of British and Appalachian folk into a timeless, minimalist sound.

Although still in his 20s, Jerron Paxton has earned a reputation for transporting audiences back to the 1920's and making them wish they could stay there for good. Paxton may be one of the greatest multi-instrumentalists that you have not heard of. Yet. And time is getting short, fast. This young musician sings and plays banjo, guitar, piano, fiddle, harmonica, Cajun accordion, and the bones (percussion). Paxton has an eerie ability to transform traditional jazz, blues, folk, and country into the here and now, and make it real. In addition, he mesmerizes audiences with his humour and storytelling. He's a world-class talent and a uniquely colourful character that has been on the cover of Living Blues Magazine and the Village Voice, and has been interviewed on Fox News. Paxton's sound is influenced by the likes of Fats Waller and "Blind" Lemon Jefferson.

Vinny Peculiar [aka Alan Wilkes] grew up in Worcestershire and trained as a nurse before signing to Manchester cult label Ugly Man records [former home to Elbow]. He's since put out fourteen albums of literate autobiographical pop music over a twenty-year career touring band, solo and duo shows in the UK, Ireland, Europe and the US. Variously described as an under sung national treasure [UNCUT] a warm hearted Morrissey [Q Magazine] and the missing link between Jarvis Cocker and Roger McGough [Irish Times] past work associations include Bill Drummond [KLF] and his various bands have included ex members of The Smiths, OASIS, Aztec Camera & The Fall. He's written and recorded as Parlour Flames, the band he formed in 2013 with ex OASIS rhythm guitarist Bonehead.

ARIA Award nominee and five-time CMAA Golden Guitar nominee Imogen Clark joins forces with acclaimed Nashville rocker Andrew Leahey for an electrifying, genre-crossing double bill. Calling Nashville home after cutting her teeth in the bars of Western Sydney, Clark has toured with the likes of Shania Twain and The Tallest Man on Earth, collaborated with Tommy Emmanuel and Steve Poltz, and earned praise from Rolling Stone and The New York Times for her deeply personal storytelling and roof-raising voice. Her ARIA-nominated album Choking on Fuel currently Top 5 on the Australian ARIA Country Chart showcases a songwriter equally at home in country, rock and confessional folk, channelling influences from Joni Mitchell to Jason Isbell and Taylor Swift. Sharing the stage is Andrew Leahey, hailed by Rolling Stone for his 'sharp storytelling and fist-pumping rock & roll swagger. With his upcoming fifth album Kick / Move / Shake, Leahey expands beyond his Americana roots into a bold, 80s-inspired sound built on shimmering guitars, stacked harmonies, and arena-sized hooks. A seasoned road warrior who has performed on Willie Nelson's Outlaw Music Festival Tour and fronted Andrew Leahey & The Homestead, Leahey delivers high-energy performances packed with heart and grit. Together, Clark and Leahey promise a dynamic night of powerhouse vocals, masterful songwriting, and full-throttle live energy where country soul meets rock & roll swagger.

Rachel Davis & Darren McMullen ignite the stage with a bold, fiery blend of Celtic tradition and contemporary folk energy. Their music is a thrilling fusion of driving rhythms, haunting melodies, and masterful instrumentationat once deeply rooted and refreshingly modern. With a dynamic mix of vocals, fiddles, guitar, banjo, mandolin, viola, bouzouki, and whistles, they breathe new life into age-old tunes while crafting original songs that feel instantly timeless. Every performance is a vibrant journey through soundpassionate, precise, and irresistibly alive. With over a decade of international touring and recording as core members of the award-winning Cape Breton Celtic supergroup Còig, Rachel and Darren are now forging a new path with their latest collaborative project, Home. This bold new venture has already garnered critical acclaim, winning the 2024 Music Nova Scotia Award for Roots/Traditional Recording of the Year, and earning nominations from both the Canadian Folk Music Awards and the East Coast Music Awards. Rachel Davis, a masterful fiddler and the 2020 Canadian Folk Music Award winner for Traditional Singer of the Year, is known for her emotive playing and rich, expressive voice. Darren McMullen, a versatile and highly respected multi-instrumentalist, brings deep musicality and rhythmic drive to the duo's sound. Between them, they have performed across Canada, the U.S., U.K., Denmark, Belgium, and Australia, with multiple East Coast Music Awards and a JUNO nomination to their names. Set to release a highly anticipated new album in June 2026, Rachel & Darren continue to expand their artistry while staying grounded in the Celtic traditions that inspire them.

Since releasing her first album, 'Things I Want To Say', in 2012, Northern Ireland's Ruth Trimble has been touring the UK and Ireland, supporting the likes of Clannad and playing as a multi-instrumentalist alongside Olivia Newton John, Beth Nielsen Chapman and Judie Tzuke, to name a few! It was the title track of her Christmas release in 2013, 'Each Christmas Till Then', which got the attention of BBC Radio2's Bob Harris and finally introduced her music to a bigger radio audience. In 2016 Ruth released her third album 'Before The Rain', a body of work which got extensive radio play and attention nationwide. Her work as a producer has also not gone unnoticed, as she was approached by legendary NI songwriter Robin Mark to co-produce his 2014 album 'Liberation Praise'. 2024 saw the release of Ruth's first new music in 8 years, with her highly anticipated new album 'Peace Of Mind'. Her first single 'Love Light' gained her more than 2.5k new listeners on Spotify within a few weeks of its release and the album as a whole passed 100k streams within a few months, which is a huge success for an independent artist today. Known for her wit as much as her music, you wont want to miss the rare opportunity to hear her songs and stories live.. This album is a gem. It so beautifully reflects the lovely person Ruth is - funny, deep and caring. (Bob Harris BBCRadio2 on Peace Of Mind). Beautiful new songs deeply sprung from life and love once again are gifted to us in the latest release by the multi-talented Ruth Trimble! (Grammy nominated songwriter Beth Nielsen Chapman on Peace Of Mind).

Over the past few years Luke has steadily developed a reputation for himself through his solo, duo or trio shows, many festival appearances or when opening for such luminaries as Fairport Convention, Show of Hands, Steve Knightley, Martyn Joseph, Seth Lakeman, Karine Polwart, Oysterband, Paul Brady, Glen Tilbrook, Sarah Jarosz and John Paul White, formerly of the legendary Civil Wars.In addition to the UK, Luke has toured across Europe, Canada and the USA.Luke has also toured alongside Grammy Award winning songwriter Amy Wadge (co writer of Ed Sheerans Thinking Out Loud) numerous times, the last being in 2019! Luke is now back on the road performing up and down the country impressing audiences with his show stopping vocals, emotive storytelling and captivating stage presence!

A nomad, both geographically and musically, songwriter Ross Wilson aka Blue Rose Code writes straight from – and to – the heart. His songs address universal themes of love, loss, travel, home, accepting the past and embracing the future in a deeply personal way. They are variously painted with the vibrant colours of folk, Americana, jazz, country, soul, pop and, increasingly, celtic traditions; an eclecticism that has seen him compared to John Martyn, Van Morrison and Tom Waits amongst

Best known as the lead singer for The Bluetones, and now also having been a solo artist since 2008, Mark Morriss has spent the best part of 3 decades honing his craft as a live performer. During that time he has released 6 albums with The Bluetones, including 14 Top 40 singles, 4 albums as a solo artiste and collaborated with Matt Berry and the Maypoles, Mike Wilton, and The Helicopter Of The Holy Ghost on tours and on record. As a live performer Mark is able to blend songs from his extensive back catalogue with stories of his time on the road, providing an entertaining show that prides itself on never being the same twice. The symbolic of Morriss style as a solo performer; a serious love of music and song tempered with jocularity. It makes for a set of easy-going acoustic songs and a camaraderie that brings a warmth to the winter that gathers around us. (Louder Than War). Spellbinding; passionate, humorous and open the sound of a singer who could take on the world. (On-Magazine).

The Dunwells are a successful Leeds based Indie-folk / Americana band with strong vocals, powerful melodies and heartfelt lyrics. Their debut album “Blind Sighted Faith” was released in 2012 following which they have released a further 6 albums/EP’s. The Dunwells have found favour with audiences across the world having toured extensively in USA, Europe and the UK as well as having supported artists including Mumford and Sons and Elbow on UK tours. They are passionate and prolific singer-song writers having written material for joint collaborations as well as other high profile up and coming artists.

Her first foray into songwriting started with a geological expedition in China, where she served as translator. She was miserable and immersed herself into writing lyrics as a way of coping. Veirs is fascinated with the intersection of art and science and she explores that in her work. She has released 11 albums and has toured extensively in her 25-year career. She has collaborated with Neko Case, kd lang, Sufjan Stevens, Jim James of My Morning Jacket, The Decemberists and many others. She’s also a podcaster (Midnight Lightning, about musician parents), an award-winning children’s book author (Libba, about folk musician Elizabeth Cotten), a mother and a songwriting teacher through Stanford University.

American folk/roots pop singer-songwriter Josh Rouse.

Nebraska-based singer-songwriter whose music blends intimate storytelling, poetic lyricism, and warm acoustic arrangements.

There's something about Marty OReilly's music that feels like it's always been here, like an old story being told in a new way. His voice is raw and real, his guitar playing gritty and soulful. It's music that doesnt try to be anything other than honest, and that's why it hits so hard. He pulls inspiration from the roots of Americana; his sound references folk greats like Woody Guthrie, blues legends like Howlin Wolf, gospel pioneers like Sister Rosetta Thorpe, and master storytellers like Tom Waits. It's a sound that captivates and connects audiences, and leaves them wanting more. His live shows arent just concerts, theyre cathartic experiences. One moment it's soft and haunting, the next it's wild and electric. The kind that stay with you long after the lights come up. But it's not just about the sound. Marty's songs dig deep into the human experience, loneliness, connection, love, loss. Whether it's an intimate solo set or a full band show, he makes every audience feel like theyre part of the story. Over the years, Marty has built a dedicated following through relentless touring and staying true to his craft. He's shared the stage with artists like Shakey Graves, St. Paul & The Broken Bones, Sarah Jarosz, and Alice ODonovan and played at festivals like Bottlerock, SXSW, and High Sierra Music Festival, but his focus has always been on making music that means something. Marty has poured everything into his music, spending years on the road, self-funding his albums, and navigating the ups and downs of life as an independent artist, husband, and father. But through it all, he's never lost sight of why he started: to make honest music that connects. If youre looking for music that feels real, that makes you stop and listen, Marty OReilly is someone you need to hear. How does one put into words the soundtrack of a dream But that is the kind of music that Marty OReilly and the Old Soul Orchestra make. (Glide Magazine). a culmination of blues, folk, and soul inflections that altogether develop a sound that's fresh and cosmic. (Pop Matters).

Jim Moray is an English folk singer, multi-instrumentalist and record producer.

Tessa Rose Jackson is a Dutch/British singer-songwriter, producer, and acclaimed composer known for creating deeply evocative music that blurs the lines between dreamy indie-pop, psych-pop, and cinematic soundscapes. Having spent six years releasing work under the celebrated moniker Someone, Tessa Rose has returned to using her own name for her diverse output. Her music channels "dreamy, emotionally rich psych-pop," drawing comparisons to artists like Feist, Laura Marling, and Zero 7, mixing hypnotic vocals with shimmering synthesizers and gently heavy beats. As an in-demand film composer, her music possesses a naturally visual quality, a talent highlighted by her work on the official soundtrack for the hit video game Life Is Strange: Double Exposure. Her forthcoming album, The Lighthouse (2026), promises to distill her innovative spirit into a rawer, deeply personal form of alt-folk, exploring themes of ancestry and belonging. Expect a journey that is at once intimate and fantastical, showcasing a unique artist who toes the fine line between dreams and reality.

The Truffle Valley Boys are a band with a mission: to bring back the raw, powerful and authentic sound of the early years of Bluegrass music no compromises. The group draws its repertoire and sound from some of the more obscure Bluegrass groups of the 1950s defining years for this musical genre, which developed as a branch of Country music, strongly influenced by Gospel, Swing and Blues, and played an important role in the birth of Rock-A-Billy. The Truffle Valley Boys perform authentic Blue Grass in the most uncompromising way, around a single microphone and using period instrumentation, with the utmost attention to musical and aesthetic details, a fiery drive and a healthy dose of good-natured entertainment! Since its founding in 2014, the band has appeared at most major Bluegrass, Country and Rock-A-Billy music festivals and events in Europe, and travels thousands of miles each year touring. They have been featured in the foremost trade magazines of the field, such as Bluegrass Unlimited and Bluegrass Today, and their records have received enthusiastic reviews and airplay on radio stations all over the world. Since 2019, the band is even featured in a permanent exhibit on international Bluegrass at the Bluegrass Music Hall Of Fame And Museum in Owensboro, KY! The Truffle Valley Boys' show is a real throwback to era gone by, and their music is a tribute to the genuine, raw and powerful sounds of the more obscure regional Bluegrass acts of the 1950s...full steam ahead, indeed!

Jaimee Harris's sophomore effort Boomerang Town marks a bold step forward for this country-folk-leaning singer-songwriter. It is an arresting, ambitious song-cycle that explores the generational arc of family, the stranglehold of addiction, and the fragile ties that bind us together as Americans. Harris began cultivating Boomerang Town in 2016, a time of great loss for many in the Americana community, with the songwriter losing several musicians close to her. A shift in the nation's political landscape had ushered in a new level of cultural polarization and for someone who grew up in a small town outside of Waco, Texas, Harris believed the values instilled by her parents were not entirely in line with how many were viewing, and vilifying, Christians. As a person in recovery, Harris has had to re-evaluate her own connection to faith and find strength in a higher power. It was from the intersection of these social, personal, and political currents that the album was born. While themes of addiction and grief permeate sections of the record, it echoes hope in the face of the darkness. Out February 17th, Boomerang Town understands that love and grief are two sides of the same coin.

Old Friends: Together and Apart. As seen on BBC The One Show! The Sounds of Simon is a tribute to the wonderful music of Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel, through the years as Simon and Garfunkel, to the successes of both their solo careers. Explore the friendship that led to songs such as Mrs Robinson, The Sounds of Silence and of course, Bridge Over Troubled Water. The full band will also take you through the pair's solo careers, with songs such as You Can Call Me Al, Graceland, and Art's smash hit, Bright Eyes. Paul and Art are played to perfection, bringing in elements of their famously fractious relationship, as well as replicating the beautiful harmonies flawlessly. With video clips, stories, and memories from the last 50+ years, this is a wonderful show filled with excellent music, nostalgia, and a genuine love for some great musicians. This is the UK's longest running tribute to Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel. Come and see why!

Folk-pop legend Gerry Colvin must be one of the most endearing and energetic musicians on the planet, just as much at home playing small clubs as he is supporting Status Quo on their Aquostic Live Tour. This multi-talented singer-songwriter performs all his own material, combining catchy melodies with thoughtful lyrics on love, society, angst and Johnny Cash! His be-suited on stage performance combines Frank Sinatra, Lee Evans, and the afore-mentioned Man in Black. Genius Madcap Maverick Yes, all of these thingsand a lot, lot more.

Nick Drake is one of the most revered and loved of all this country's acoustic Singer-Songwriters. He has given us timeless songs that shed all the tears of life within their fragile yet perfect lines. He recorded three cherished albums between 1969 and 1972 but was almost entirely unrecognised in his day. After his tragic death in 1974 aged only 26 his music almost disappeared into obscurity. Now, thanks to a massive resurgence of interest and a worldwide re-evaluation of his unique music, Nick Drake has become a national treasure. Several meticulously compiled biographies look at every aspect of Nick's life and music, throwing light on many shadowy corners of mystery and supposition. Here is the most unique, haunting and imaginative musician that truly touched our souls. This concert is not only a devotional representation but a hands-on performance of emotional connection. Three decades have now passed since Singer/Guitarist Keith James first astonished the whole country with his stunningly beautiful series of concerts. He was the first artist ever to bring these intriguing songs to theatres and arts venues across the UK, and remains to this day, the foremost artist devoted to performing Nick's music in its pure live acoustic form. Over the past 30 years, Keith has performed over 1200 highly acclaimed concerts in venues across the UK, Ireland, Holland, France, Italy, and Spain including all of Nick's schools and colleges even Glastonbury Festival. Natural, effortless musicians, Keith and Richie bring you this immaculately crafted concert, alternating between four finely tuned acoustic guitars accompanied by Flutes of different character and pitch to bring you an evening of these timeless, cherished songs; words that shed all the tears of time within their fragile lines. Richie plays his flutes to orchestrate the colours within these rich, harmonic landscapes; improvising with impressionist textures to enhance the magical highs and mysterious shadows within these deeply emotional songs. "Musicians brave enough to play the music they really believe in. Keith James is one of these" (Bob Harris). "A fresh and powerful approach to these wonderful songs" (Patrick Humphries - Nick Drake biographer). "Devotion, integrity, experience. All spinning as one" (Guardian). An absolute must (Mark Radcliffe). "A creative and imaginative artist at the peak of his powers" (Trevor Dann - Nick Drake Biographer).

Rob Heron has been touring the world with his band The Tea Pad Orchestra for the past 15 years, throwing flavours of classic country, gypsy-swing, rhythm & blues, and rockabilly into his original songs. Originally from the Lake District, but based in Newcastle Upon Tyne, he is well-known for his live performances, and dry humour on stage. He and his band have toured with big-name Americana outfits such as Pokey LaFarge, The Dead South, and Sierra Ferrell. 2026 sees Rob recording his first 'solo record since 2008, delving deeper into that lonesome country sound, yodelling cowboy songs, and more intimate song-writing. Conrad Bird is a rambling rover from North Yorkshire, and after over a decade of fronting the very popular festival act, Holy Moly & The Crackers, he is finally taking it back to the roots, with a brand-new solo EP of poetic folk songs, and Dylan-inspired balladeering. His gravelly voice and his on-stage story-telling result in a very charming stage show. Together, the Cumbrian cowboy, and the Yorkshire rover are heading off on a country-wide tour, both promoting their new solo releases, and briefly taking a step back from the wild rock & roll circus!

Nick Harper is one the UK's best kept musical secrets. Those who have witnessed the spellbinding, one-man show will tell you this. A childhood growing up surrounded by the musical prowess of some of the 60's most revered songwriters & musicians, not to mention being son of Roy Harper, along with 20 years of crafting songs & touring the land has spawned a truly one-off, original guitarist & songwriter who stands alone as a UK great, to be cherished & revered. For over two decades, he has been dazzling audiences, reviewers & fellow artists alike with his heady mix of virtuosity, boyish charm, showmanship & sheer bravado. An imagination bursting with ideas has seen Nick release 11 solo albums to critical acclaim, earning a Number 1 spot in the charts with the seminal hit 'Blue Sky Thinking'.

As those who have been fortunate enough to catch them in full flight will testify, a Jaywalkers show is an exhilarating experience. UK-based they may be but many from the other side of the Atlantic have complimented them on their particularly stylish delivery of this virtuosic and rich brand of Americana, Bluegrass & Country. These three outstanding musicians have developed a tight bond, demonstrated through their well-crafted, tasteful arrangements and ability to bounce ideas around the stage. The combination of powerhouse bass, flame-fingered mandolin, blistering fiddle and three-part harmony pack a punch as fiery as Jay's lead vocals and delivers a rich sound that far exceeds what youd expect from an acoustic trio. Mandolin maestro Mike Giverin is also the chief songwriter, and the band's originals cover themes including the travails of the travelling musician, saving the planet and even tales of being stranded halfway up a mountain. All of which stand proudly alongside their clever covers, foot-stomping bluegrass tunes and superb interpretations of old country classics. In Jay Bradberry, the band has a truly sensational lead singer and fiddle player, and double bassist Lucille Williams is one of the best around, breaking out impressive slap bass alongside rock solid timing, taste and tone. Jaywalkers are a real melting pot of their collective inspirations and the influences of their musical upbringings. This is evident in their live sets which come to life in their use of Country heartbreak and Bluegrass dynamism applied to issues of the modern day and life as a touring bandmostly stuck on the M6.

Having performed over 700 shows (and counting) since forming in 2019, True Foxes, the acclaimed alt-country/americana duo from Cornwall, are quickly gaining recognition in the UK and beyond. Following the release of their debut album Howl in March 2024, the duo have been featured on numerous international radio stations, being named as Americana Album of the Month on The Country Mile Radio and UK Country Radio and have received glowing reviews from AmericanaUK, Rocking Magpie, and Fatea magazine. The band features cousins Amie Parsons and Chloe Payne. Amie’s powerful vocals and soulful songwriting has been compared to the likes of Laura Marling and Brandi Carlile, performing on Acoustic Guitar. Together with Chloe’s ethereal harmonies and melodic bass lines, the duo’s storytelling and sisterly banter take the audience on an emotional journey. In 2024 the duo demonstrated their musical range with mainstage performances at Costa Del Folk festival in Portugal, Cornwall folk Festival as well as full band performances at The British Country music Festival and Tunes in the Park (supporting Sophie Ellis-Bexter). They then entered 2025 with a sold out headline tour in the spring followed by a summer packed full of main stage performances including Between the Trees, Tunes in the Dunes, OceanFest and Sidmouth Folk Festival – joining forces with folk legend Steve Knightley ahead of their tour this autumn. After the success of their debut album last year, True Foxes have begun working on their second album, due to be released early 2026! With extensive airplay across the UK and internationally, including recognition as BBC Artist of the Week across eight territories, True Foxes continue to captivate audiences.

These days, David Ford feels much more at home operating on the fringes of the music business, not trying to be famous, not trying to get rich. It might be an unconventional way to conduct a musical career, but this is not a conventional guy, as evidenced by his most recent album, Animal Spirits, a surprisingly accessible, even soulful collection of songs about economics. As an artist Ford still defies classification or comparison. Singer-songwriter doesn’t begin to cover it. He writes and performs with fluency across multiple genres, plays every instrument on the stage and even invents new ones to create truly unique recordings and performances. Every live show is different. Ford’s trademark one-man loop machine circus grows more complex and audacious every year, but then he is just as likely to show up with a six-piece band, a string quartet, jazz drummer or a choir and his most recent UK tour proved he can be equally compelling sat in an armchair, playing acoustic guitar and telling stories. The result is a live spectacle described by The Guardian as “unmissable”. As well as playing sold-out headline shows on both sides of the Atlantic, he has toured with and supported artists such as Elvis Costello, Allen Toussaint, Ray LaMontagne, Aimee Mann, Sara Bareilles, Gomez, Aqualung, Richard Ashcroft, Suzanne Vega, Augustana, Ingrid Michaelson and Jakob Dylan.

Call it prairie noir or Canadiana desert rock: Toronto's Abigail Lapell sings haunting, gorgeous modern folk songs. She's won three Canadian Folk Music Awards, including English Songwriter of the Year and Contemporary Album of the Year, reaching #1 on Canadian folk radio and over 48 million streams across digital platforms. Lapell tours widely across North America and Europe, performing on vocals, piano, harmonica and finger style guitar. Her JUNO-nominated album, Anniversary, was released May 2024 on Outside Music. Last year, Lapell released Anniversary & More Songs About Love, an extended companion to Anniversary. Presented by Folklore Sessions This is an 18+ event

Maddie Morris is an artist who strives to make a difference in the world. Bold, insightful and refreshingly unique, they take traditional song in new directions to shine a light on contemporary issues, offering new perspectives about the world we live in today. Folk songs have always told stories, but how Maddie makes their mark is by turning this storytelling into action. Described by Jim Moray as “leading the next generation of socially conscious songwriters”, Maddie uses their work to highlight inequality, challenge viewpoints and provide an inclusive space for shared experiences. Maddie was recently commissioned by Unlimited to explore LGBTQIA+ experiences of disability through traditional tune, and has also been proud to collaborate with organisations such as Queer Folk, The Bit Collective and Trans Pride Brighton. Passionately political, yet gently understated, this is music that deftly treads the path between art and activism. https://www.maddiemorrismusic.co.uk/

Hot off the heels of her acclaimed 2024 character show Side Eye, Rachel (Live At The Apollo, All Killa No Filla) brings you a brand new bunch of characters to love and hate. Very much the rock n roll star of British comedy Rolling Stone UK A skilled impressionistincredible The Guardian Fairburn is a razor-sharp observational comic who pulls no punches with her materiala meticulous hour of comedywickedly hilarious Broadway World Opening Night Chortle The Skinny The List Ed Fringe Review

Formerly one half of folk-pop duo Hudson Taylor (30 million Spotify streams, a Number 1 Irish album, stages with The Rolling Stones, Hozier, and George Ezra), Harry is now forging a solo path rooted in honest, unguarded songwriting. Based between Dublin and Berlin, his new material sits at the crossroads of indie rock, folk, and pop, drawing on themes of personal transformation and relationships. Written, performed and self-produced by Harry, and mixed by Paul Carr, Hiding From Nature is his most personal work to date: the sound of an artist who has stopped performing a version of himself and started making the record he’s always wanted to make. He’s joined on stage by Seraphina Taylor, whose backing vocals and multi-instrumental work give the live show its quiet magic.

Christie Reeves is known for her impressively dynamic voice that envelops the listener with crystal clear highs and soul-full depth. Reeves' song writing explores 'using the natural world as a mirror to reflect on the nature of ourselves' and has a sound that is influenced by the recording work of many folk artists & groups including Martin Carthy and Fleetfoxes, emphasised by her acoustic guitar picking and harp-like tenor ukulele. Reeves has played festivals up and down the UK including Moseley Folk & Arts Festival and Dart Music Festival. With a September residency on the Greek island of Rhodes and featuring on tracks by Italian producer, SRNDE - Christie finds herself being heard on a worldwide stage and feels a wave of support behind her upcoming release of the debut album, The Sun & Shadows, from which her latest single, Drift Away has most recently been played on BBC CWR. "...the resonance of Jacqui McShee and the purity of Emma Kirkby...Great voice and a real musician." (Michael McGlynn, Composer/ANÚNA). "Christie has the voice of an angel. Impressive range...very poetic songwriting." (Guy Chambers, Songwriter: Robbie Williams, Katie Melua, Mark Ronson).