False Lights are a folk rock group, formed in the spirit of the genre’s late-‘60s originators but informed by the music of the far more recent youth of the band’s originators, Sam Carter and Jim Moray (both BBC Folk Award winners in their own right). False Lights owe as much to Radiohead as they do to Fairport Convention. Since its first appearance in 2014, the band has expanded into a line-up that boasts not only Carter and Moray on vocals and guitars but also Nick Cooke on melodeon, Tom Moore on violin, Jon Thorne on bass, and Sam’s long serving drummer Sam Nadel. A dream list of musicians playing gleefully raucous music to create a joyful spectacle. Folk songs you can jump to.

From deep roots in their hometown’s vibrant music, song and dance scene, to smashing concert appearances in the UK and abroad, Sheffield-based Melrose Quartet have attracted a reputation for making music that truly connects with people. All four are internationally renowned singers, instrumentalists, writer/composers and teachers and in 2017 they were proud to be named the new patrons of Whitby Folk week.

Originally from North Wales and Yorkshire, The Trials of Cato formed whilst living in Beirut, and spent a year boiling down the roots of their sound into a hybrid of traditional influences that intrigued Lebanese audiences in the country’s biggest venues. Returning home from Beirut in the winter of 2016, they have since torn a shape very much their own into the canvas of the UK folk scene.

Possessed of an ‘extraordinary voice’ that’s “full of character” (The Telegraph), over the last 8 years, Greg Russell has established himself as one of the most significant performers on the U.K. folk scene. Singing and playing guitar, bouzouki and banjo alongside Ciaran Algar, in 2013 he won the BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Award and in 2014 won the Horizon Award.  In 2017, with a mixture of original and traditional songs, Greg released his debut solo album, ‘Inclined to be Red’ to wide acclaim; “a powerful statement” (Acoustic), “excellent” (RnR Magazine), “a splendid thing” (Maverick) and “convincingly individual” (fRoots).

Granny’s Attic – Cohen Braithwaite-Kilcoyne (melodeon, anglo concertina, vocals), George Sansome (guitar, vocals) and Lewis Wood (violin, vocals) – are a folk trio who play the tradition with verve, energy and their own inimitable style. They are all exceptional musicians and fine singers and play English traditional and original music. Since 2009, when they first came together as a band while still in school, they have toured across the UK and Europe and been heralded for their lively performances, and delivery and selection of traditional songs.

Reg’s clever and imaginative lyrics have earned him the title of  “Master Storyteller” (PennyBlack Music) and led Mike Harding (Mike Harding Folk Show) to introduce him onto the stage of The Royal Albert Hall as  “one of the finest singer-songwriters this country has produced”. Whether it’s a village hall or the Albert Hall, Reg brings to the stage a collection of extremely beautiful songs, performed with humour and depth, and sung with the voice of an angel. Reg has that rare gift of being able to touch people, through his songs and performance, on a really human level. His words and music paint pictures that remain with the listener long after the song has been sung.

Iota are Sally Barker (vocal, guitar & percussion)  - a finalist on The Voice UK, a member of The Poozies and of the re-formed Fotheringay; Anna Ryder (vocal, keys, accordion, guitar, banjo & French horn)  - a musical dynamo with a style that spans an array of genres;  and Marion Fleetwood (vocal, fiddle, cello, guitar & percussion) – a highly respected multi-instrumentalist and singer-songwriter. 

Traditional and original songs and tunes from award winning singer and squeezebox player Cohen Braithwaite-Kilcoyne. Best known for his work with BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Award nominees Granny’s Attic, Cohen is a singer and instrumentalist with a love of English music. Cohen plays melodeons and anglo concertina as well as being a well-respected singer; in 2014 he won the Bromyard Folk Festival future of young folk award for singing. Expect traditional English folk songs and tunes along with a few original numbers.

Phoebe Rees is a musician and songwriter from Oswestry. Influenced by a diverse range of musical genres and cultures, she predominantly combines elements of Celtic, English and American Folk traditions into her music making. Drawing on inspiration from her early years in the Scottish Highlands, experiences as a classical viola player studying in Edinburgh and London, and subsequent travels throughout the rest of the British Isles, Europe, South America and India.. Phoebe sings and accompanies herself mostly on the fiddle, viola and guitar.

One of the top ceilidh bands in the North West, Albireo play regularly for private events as well as dance clubs and festivals. The band’s repertoire draws on the English, Irish, Scottish and American traditions, along with self-penned tunes and others from further afield. Ceilidh dancing is a terrific way to spend an evening — it’s fun, sociable and can be as energetic as you want! With a combined total of over a hundred years’ experience of playing for events, Albireo can be relied on to deliver a great night’s dancing.

Based in North Wales, Ben Robertson is a fingerstyle guitarist and singer who performs instrumentals and songs from across the folk tradition. Influenced by the likes of John Renbourn and Duck Baker, he has developed his own repertoire of Celtic and European fingerstyle guitar arrangements, which are presented on his new album "Rosewood", released on the 22nd of April 2022

Born in Yorkshire, Kate McCullough now travels the canal system, whilst writing and performing folk and acoustic songs, both covers and her own compositions. Since graduating from University in 2021, she has opened for Martin Carthy and Mera Royle, played alongside Wet The Tea and performed on Genevieve Tudor's Sunday Folk radio show. Her debut album has been well received across the North West. Kate’s day job travelling the canals, selling fuels to other boaters gives her a unique view of the world around her, and allows her to see the different aspects of nature day to day, and season to season. 

In the ten years since winning Best Newcomer at the 2010 BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards, Sam Carter has earned a reputation for vivid, narrative-driven songwriting and captivating live performances. Renowned as “the finest English-style fingerpicking guitarist of his generation” (Jon Boden), Sam made a spell-binding appearance on Later… with Jools Holland in 2012 and has toured the world, sharing stages with some of the finest guitarists and songwriters, including Nic Jones, Martin Simpson, Richard Thompson, and Chris Wood.

Wet the Tea are Andy Connally (vocals, flute whistles, piano, guitar), Andy Saunders (banjo, bouzouki, mandolin, bass) and Richey Hayden (mandolin, fiddle, tenor guitar) - a multi instrumental act that combines traditional Irish roots with many other influences and creates something a little bit different. With bluegrass, English folk and modern elements thrown into the mix, their original song and tune sets are quite unique. Throw in some old gems with a difference and you get Wet the Tea.