Alex Gallacher

Watch Kate Rusby and one of the world’s great vocal groups, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, performing her Mayday song “We Will Sing” which opens her new album 30 : Happy Returns.

Featuring a number of special guests including Laura-Beth Salter and Rachel Hair, Paul Tasker returns with a beautifully vibrant instrumental album Tierra Quemada.

Scottish musician Hannah Read has teamed up with Edinburgh-based banjo player Michael Starkey for their new album ‘Cross The Rolling Water’. Watch them performing the opening track ‘Apple Blossom’ that’s also our Tune of the Day.

Our Song of the Day comes from O Deer, the musical project of Oisín Walsh-Peelo. Watch the accompanying video to Waterside, recorded live in the Cottage at Camus Farm, West Cork.

Made by band member Peter Timmins, The Cowboy Junkies reveal their new video for ‘Don’t Let It Bring You Down’, one of their Neil Young covers taken from their new album ‘Songs Of The Recollection’.

Joan Shelley will release The Spur, her first new album in 3 years, featuring contributions from Nathan Salsburg, James Elkington, Bill Callahan and Meg Baird. Watch the accompanying video for the title track, directed by The Forman Brothers.

Leigh Folk Festival (23-26 June 2022) have made their first lineup announcement. We preview some of our favourites from the list so far, including: Alasdair Roberts, Alex Rex, Eliza Carthy, Simon Finn, Burd Ellen, Gwenifer Raymond, MG Boulter, Serious Sam Barrett and more.

Ahead of their May tour, watch Karine Polwart & Dave Milligan performing ‘Come Away In’ live. The edit is taken from their ‘Live to Your Living Room’ live stream that was recorded at Castlesound Studio.

Dana Gavanski returns this month with her new album ‘When It Comes’. Watch the accompanying video for ‘I Kiss The Night’, “…an ode to the night, learning to lean in to its magic, and the spookiness of solitude in a winter storm.”

An atmospheric and eclectic mix featuring Ceara Conway, Justin Hopper & Sharron Kraus, Benedicte Maurseth, Jon Natchez, Patrick Watson, O Deer, Nils Økland, Arthur Russell, Sutari, Kinbrae & Clare Archibald, Sourdure, Xylouris White, Bill Callahan, Gil Scott-Heron, Reiko and Tori Kudo and Joseph Allred.

In May, master guitarist Martin Simpson will be playing eight shows with melodeon maestro and close friend Andy Cutting. The tour will include new material that will form the core of Martin’s new solo album, due for release next March.

Our tune of the day comes from Australian finger-style guitarist D.C Cross. Watch him performing ‘Lithgow Pink’ from his new album ‘Hot-wire the Lay-low’. A player with plenty to say and all the skills to say it.