Scottish legends Charlie and Craig Reid, aka The Proclaimers, join Folk by the Oak’s ‘Line-up of Headliners’ alongside Richard Thomspon and Spell Songs.
Hatfield House, Hertfordshire, Sunday 17 July 2022
From the release of ‘This is the Story’ in 1987 to their 11th album ‘Angry Cyclist’ in 2018, the honest, poignant and timeless songwriting of Charlie and Craig Reid has ensured The Proclaimers are never far from the collective consciousness. With a 12th studio album out next summer and a loyal following of fans always keen to catch a live performance, The Proclaimers have just been announced to headline Folk by the Oak in Hertfordshire on Sunday 17 July.
On booking the band for their festival Marketing Manager Emma Dexter says: “On the live circuit The Proclaimers are renowned for sets that delight ardent and casual fans alike, bringing together global anthems such as ‘I’m Gonna Be’ & ‘Letter from America’ with newer material from their incredible catalogue of music crafted over the last 34 years. Their songs capture a gamut of human emotions and shine with sincerity, honesty, political fire and wit. The Proclaimers sound as fresh and distinctive now as when they made their breakthrough in the 80s and we know that their performance will be an incredible finale to our festival!”
Also gracing the Main Stage next summer will be Ivor Novello Award-winning and GRAMMY® Award-nominated legend Richard Thompson, who last performed at Folk by the Oak in 2014, receiving rapturous applause. His easy rapport with his audiences combined with his exceptional songcraft and guitar playing ensure that he remains one of the most influential artists on the music scene today. Indeed, everybody from Robert Plant, Don Henley, and Elvis Costello to REM, Sleater-Kinney and David Byrne has covered his music.
Adam Slough, Festival Director said “Richard is an esteemed icon of the festival world and we receive so many requests every year for his return. We originally booked him to join us again in 2020, so we are beyond delighted he is able to return to Folk by the Oak in 2022.”
Also making a welcome return to Folk by the Oak is the Spell Songs ensemble, created by the festival in 2018 as the musical companion piece to the acclaimed book ‘The Lost Words’ by author Robert Macfarlane and artist Jackie Morris. Spell Songs features the multifaceted talents and collaborative genius of Karine Polwart, Julie Fowlis, Seckou Keita, Kris Drever, Rachel Newton, Beth Porter and Jim Molyneux.
Individually they are all hugely respected artists; as a group the ‘Spell Singers’ bring a wealth of vocal talent and multi-instrumental virtuosity to their performances, embracing a diverse range of instruments from kora to electro-harp, cello to Indian harmonium, with musical and linguistic influences spanning from Orkney to Senegal.
The Spell Songs performance at Folk by the Oak 2022 will feature new material from their upcoming and highly anticipated 2nd album, and the band will be joined live on stage by the award-winning artist, Lost Words & Lost Spells author Jackie Morris, who paints live to the music conjuring nature with watercolour and ink.
Spell Singer and renowned collaborator Seckou Keita will also be performing in the guise of AKA Trio, alongside Italian guitarist Antonio Forcione and Brazilian percussionist Adriano Adewale, promising a performance rich in seamlessly woven interlocking rhythms and mellifluous melodies, layered with the palpable joy of a friendship spanning 3 continents, cultures, languages and musical traditions.
Since their first festival in 2008 Folk by the Oak have worked hard to curate a ‘line-up of headliners’ and 2022 looks set to be no exception. With many more acts still to be announced this perfect one-day festival yet again promises a day of back-to-back sublime music.
Folk by the Oak takes place in the leafy Queen Elizabeth Oak Field in historic Hatfield House, which is just 20 minutes train ride from King’s Cross, London. Adult Tickets start at £42.50 (£21 for children, with family deals available).
Tickets and more details are available here: https://www.folkbytheoak.com/
Photo Credit: Murdo McLeod