News

I take a look at this year’s Sidmouth Folk Festival lineup and tried to come up with a list of recommended concerts and performances – no easy task considering the immense line-up. It’s quite unlike any other festival out there.

Greentrax Records are to release a new Dick Gaughan live album that was recorded in 1982 which, as well as featuring some of his all-time greats, includes previously unrecorded songs and a duet with the late great Johnny Cunningham.

News of The John Martyn Project was music to my ears. Featuring Blythe Pepino, Kit Hawes, Pete Josef and Sam Brookes they each bring their own story and connection to John’s music, don’t hesitate in getting a ticket for what is sure to be a rewarding experience.

Dark-folk Hampshire-based duo Provincials, featuring Polly Perry (Polly & the Billets Doux) & Seb Hunter, return with new single and video for Skara Brae, the lead track from their forthcoming new album.

Special guests announced for Richard Thompson’s 70th Birthday bash including Alistair Anderson, Ashley Hutchings, Christine Collister, Danny Thompson, Dave Mattacks, Dave Pegg, David Gilmour, Eliza Carthy, Kate Rusby, Linda Thompson, Loudon Wainwright III, Maddy Prior, Martin Carthy, Olivia Chaney, Simon Nicol, Teddy Thompson and more.

Three of the Folk Radio UK that are heading to Cherry Hinton Hall for Cambridge Folk Festival this year (1-4 August 2019) tell us their top must-see acts of the festival.

Listen to ‘Born Human’, the new single from Martin Simpson which tackles environmental conservation. It’s taken from his new studio album Rooted which is set for release on August 30 via Topic Records.

Our Song of the Day comes from New York-based singer/songwriter Emma Frank with a cover of Wilco’s ‘Either Way’. It features on her new album, Come Back out September 6th, via Nettwerk.

FolkEast have an outstanding line-up this year – Richard Thompson, Cara Dillon & friends, the Karine Polwart Trio, John Smith, Calan, Sharon Shannon Band, Ross Ainslie, Jarlath Henderson and Ali Hutton, Daphne’s Flight, Blair Dunlop and Siobhan Miller.

Watch the video for ‘Great Old Northern Line’, the second single from British folk singer-songwriter newcomer Odette Michell, taken from her newly released and critically acclaimed debut album ‘The Wildest Rose’.

Today sees the release of On Clay Hill, the debut album from Stick in the Wheel band member Fran Foote and her mother Belinda Kempster. Watch their new music video for John Barleycorn.

Musician, ethnomusicologist, and professor Tim Eriksen kicks off his UK tour today and includes dates with Mama’s Broke, Susan Brearey and Cath & Phil Tyler. Watch him performing the Mountains of Pomeroy.