Artist Biographies
Tap on any artist to read their full biography.
Alex Hart
Alex Hart is a south-west England-based singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, described by BBC Radio 2’s Mark Radcliffe as “the Stevie Nicks of Folk”. Her rich vocals and versatile musicianship have taken her across the UK, Europe and the USA, including extensive touring with legendary Jethro Tull guitarist Martin Barre. Alex also performs and records with acclaimed folk artist Seth Lakeman, featuring prominently on his music and touring alongside him in a variety of line-ups. Her latest album, VISIONS, marks an exciting new chapter in her career.
Banter
Banter are a dynamic four-piece who combine traditional English folk with bold contemporary energy, infectious rhythms and a healthy dose of humour. Formed in 2015, the band are known for exhilarating live performances built around masterful musicianship, soulful vocals and a diverse mix of melodeon, keyboards, percussion, brass, guitar, bass and fiddle. Their energetic approach has earned them appearances at major festivals including Glastonbury, Cambridge and Sidmouth, as well as a growing following across Europe.
Bonfire Radicals
Bonfire Radicals are a Birmingham-based folk band renowned for their high-energy performances and adventurous approach to traditional music. Drawing inspiration from across the British Isles and beyond, they fuse folk with Balkan, Klezmer, African, Brazilian and rock influences, creating a wildly eclectic sound driven by rich harmonies, infectious rhythms and virtuosic musicianship. Their acclaimed album The Space Between reached No. 13 in the UK Folk Charts, cementing their reputation as one of the UK folk scene’s most exciting live acts.
Broom Bezzums
Broom Bezzums are English folk duo Mark Bloomer and Andrew Cadie, renowned for their original songwriting, energetic performances and inventive multi-instrumental sound. Formed in Germany in 2005, the pair have spent two decades touring extensively across Europe and the UK, blending double vocals with fiddle, bouzouki, guitars, Northumbrian pipes, percussion and acoustic loops. Their original songs have found audiences far beyond the folk scene, including Andrew Cadie’s Keep Hauling, later recorded by Show of Hands and featured in Fisherman’s Friends. Their sixth studio album, Standing Strong, celebrates 20 years of music with a powerful message of unity, love and hope.
Danny Bradley
Danny Bradley is an accomplished fingerstyle guitarist and songwriter from Liverpool, known for his intricate guitar work, intimate songwriting and captivating storytelling. Winner of the Liverpool Acoustic Judges’ Award in 2021, Danny has shared stages with respected artists including Martin Carthy, Tony McManus, Jon Gomm and Jeffrey Foucault. His debut solo album, Small Talk Songs, was recorded independently in his Liverpool flat, capturing the warmth and character of his acoustic sound.
FARA
FARA bring the rich musical heritage of Orkney to life with a powerful blend of driving fiddle tunes, soaring three-part harmonies and lyrical songwriting. Featuring award-winning fiddlers Kristan Harvey, Jeana Leslie and Catriona Price alongside acclaimed pianist Rory Matheson, the band combine traditional Orcadian music with bold, contemporary arrangements. Their energetic live performances are filled with passion, storytelling and the unmistakable spirit of the Scottish islands.
Flossie Malavialle
Flossie Malavialle is a charismatic French singer-songwriter and guitarist whose performances blend traditional folk, French chanson and classic songs from both sides of the Channel. Known for her gutsy guitar style, warm vocals and infectious Franglais stage patter, Flossie brings a wonderfully eclectic repertoire to every performance. After many years living and performing in England, she has now returned to her native France, bringing her unique blend of French and British musical influences back to the festival stage.
Good Habits
Good Habits are a dynamic indie-folk trio blending virtuosic musicianship, folk storytelling and infectious energy. Led by singer-cellist Bonnie Schwarz and accordionist/synth player Pete Shaw, alongside drummer Jen Walinetski, their sound combines cello, accordion, synths and drums to create something cinematic, groove-driven and full of optimism. Their acclaimed album Quarter-Life reached the UK Top 40 Folk chart, earning praise from BBC Radio 2, 6 Music and 5 Live, while their exhilarating live performances have taken them to major festivals including Glastonbury, WOMAD, Green Man and Cambridge Folk Festival.
John Smith
John Smith is a pioneering British folk guitarist and singer-songwriter who has spent two decades developing a distinctive, soulful sound. With more than 100 million Spotify streams, he has performed around the world and shared stages with some of music’s most celebrated artists. His intricate guitar playing, intimate songwriting and Americana-influenced sound have earned him a devoted international following, with his seventh album The Living Kind produced by Grammy-winning producer Joe Henry.
Martin Barre Acoustic Band
Martin Barre is one of rock music’s most respected guitarists, best known for his 43-year tenure with Jethro Tull, whose records have sold more than 60 million copies worldwide. His distinctive playing was central to the band’s sound, earning him a Grammy Award for Crest of a Knave and widespread recognition for his iconic solo on Aqualung. Alongside his work with Jethro Tull, Martin has collaborated with artists including Paul McCartney, Phil Collins, Gary Moore and Joe Bonamassa. His Acoustic Band brings fresh energy to classic Jethro Tull material, including tracks that have rarely been performed live in recent years.
Newton Faulkner
Newton Faulkner is a multi-award-winning singer-songwriter and guitarist known for his distinctive percussive guitar style, soulful vocals and genre-blending approach to songwriting. Since bursting onto the scene with his debut album Hand Built by Robots, Faulkner has continually evolved his sound, earning two UK Top 10 albums and a UK No. 1 with Write It on Your Skin. His latest album, Octopus, marks an exciting new chapter, embracing funk, R&B, soul and more adventurous production while retaining the warmth and intimacy that have defined his music throughout his career.
Nina Zella
Nina Zella is a UK-based singer, pianist and producer whose heartfelt songwriting blends expressive vocals with dynamic piano. Writing, recording and producing her music from her own studio, Nina creates deeply emotional songs that explore themes of love, loss and connection. Her debut single, ROBINS, was inspired by the comfort of seeing signs from loved ones who have passed away, offering a moving and uplifting message of hope, remembrance and enduring connection.
Robbie K Jones & Friends
Robbie K Jones & Friends is an unpredictable and entertaining festival set led by multi-instrumentalist Robbie K Jones. Bringing together musicians from across the festival line-up for spontaneous, unrehearsed collaborations, each performance is guaranteed to be unique, with plenty of musical mayhem and merriment. Robbie is also a member of Track Dogs, whose distinctive acoustic sound blends folk, Latino, Americana and bluegrass influences.
Ríoghnach Connolly
Ríoghnach Connolly is an award-winning Irish folk singer, flautist and songwriter, currently based in Manchester. Rooted in the traditional music of her upbringing in Armagh, she combines her rich musical heritage with an adventurous and contemporary approach. A former BBC Radio 2 Folk Singer of the Year, Ríoghnach has toured internationally and performed with acclaimed groups including The Breath, Honeyfeet, Band of Burns and Afro Celt Sound System. When performing with Ellis Davies, the pair draw on nearly two decades of musical partnership, combining Ríoghnach’s expressive vocals and traditional melodies with Ellis’ intricate fingerstyle guitar.
Seth Lakeman Trio
Seth Lakeman is one of the UK’s leading folk singer-songwriters, renowned for his energetic blend of traditional folk storytelling and contemporary musicianship. His distinctive fiddle playing, acoustic guitar and powerful vocals create a sound that combines the spirit of rock with the timeless character of folk. Joined by Benji Kirkpatrick and Ali Humphries, the Seth Lakeman Trio brings together three accomplished musicians for an energetic and captivating live performance.
Suthering
Suthering are folk duo Julu Irvine and Heg Brignall, known for their exquisite vocal harmonies, thoughtful songwriting and fresh approach to contemporary folk. Their music combines soaring voices with cascading piano and delicate fingerstyle guitar, exploring themes of nature, community, social conscience and hope. Now based on the edge of Dartmoor, the duo draw inspiration from the landscape around them, bringing warmth, humour and a powerful sense of connection to their live performances.
The Ciderhouse Rebellion
The Ciderhouse Rebellion are virtuoso musicians Adam Summerhayes and Murray Grainger, creating extraordinary music entirely in the moment. Combining violin and accordion, the duo take traditional tunes and original compositions as starting points for spontaneous, atmospheric soundscapes that can be profound, haunting and dramatic. Their fearless improvisation and instinctive musical connection make every performance a unique experience.
The Haar
The Haar are an Anglo-Irish folk band known for their spontaneous, boundary-pushing interpretations of traditional songs. Featuring Molly Donnery alongside acclaimed instrumentalists Cormàc Byrne, Adam Summerhayes and Murray Grainger, the band combine sublime vocals with virtuosic fiddle, percussion and otherworldly instrumental soundscapes. No two performances are quite the same, with the musicians’ trust and improvisational approach allowing familiar songs to evolve into something entirely fresh and captivating.
The Henry Girls
The Henry Girls are sisters Karen, Lorna and Joleen McLaughlin from Donegal, whose distinctive sound blends traditional Irish influences with contemporary and transatlantic styles. Formed professionally in 2001, the trio are known for their beautiful three-part harmonies, alongside harp, fiddle and accordion. With six studio albums, EPs and a live album to their name, The Henry Girls have built an international following through their captivating performances and richly layered songwriting. They have also created music for theatre, dance, film and television, including the award-nominated score for A Shine of Rainbows.
The Lost Notes
The Lost Notes are a five-piece folk and UK-Americana band from Birmingham, renowned for their energetic and joyous live performances. Built around rich three-part vocal harmonies, the band blend folk, country and acoustic influences with touches of jazz, creating a sound that has drawn comparisons to Fleet Foxes, Fairport Convention and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. Their critically acclaimed third album, Good Luck Shoes, further established them as one of the UK’s most exciting emerging folk acts.
The Salts
The Salts are an energetic folk collective who bring a fresh, lively approach to traditional music. Combining original songs with reimagined traditional tunes, their distinctive sound is driven by banjo, acoustic guitar, mandolin, drums and double bass, with rich vocal harmonies throughout. Their dynamic live shows are made for singing, dancing and celebrating the very best of contemporary folk.
Tilston and Lowe
Tilston & Lowe bring together two of the UK’s finest singer-songwriters, Steve Tilston and Jez Lowe. First paired while touring in the USA, the duo discovered an instant musical connection and have since developed a celebrated partnership built around shared songs, intricate musicianship and a natural chemistry on stage. Their collaboration began with a UK tour in 2016 and later produced The Janus Game, an album of brand-new co-written material showcasing the pair’s exceptional songwriting talents.