Janice Burns & Jon Doran are an award-winning Anglo-Scottish duo who came together after discovering a shared love of traditional music. Their songs tell vivid stories about the nature of life and our place in the world.

Janice & Jon’s ‘clever and uncluttered musical storytelling’ (Songlines) comes alive through tight vocal harmonies and sensitive interplay between mandolin, bouzouki and guitar. Their arrangements have a spellbinding presence and an understated energy that transports songs from the pages of books and manuscripts into the imagination of the listener.

With their relaxed and personable approach to performance, Janice & Jon are renowned for the warmth of their connection with audiences. From opening Stage 2 at Cambridge Folk Festival, to playing at the likes of Celtic Connections, Edinburgh Tradfest and Cecil Sharp House, the duo are highly sought after across the UK and beyond.

Following the success of their self-titled EP in 2020, Janice & Jon released their debut album, No More the Green Hills, in Autumn 2022. The album had overwhelmingly positive feedback, finding its place in the Official UK Folk Albums Chart, as well as gaining airplay on BBC Radio 2 and BBC Radio Scotland.

Folk songs have always travelled, put down new roots, borrowed and evolved. Janice & Jon bring together songs that have survived through the ages, shapeshifting and adapting as they’ve been passed from singer to singer. Exploring humankind’s connection with nature,
love and loss, these are songs with an enduring resonance.

Banter are a high-energy English folk band known for reworking traditional dance tunes with bold rhythms, inventive arrangements and a modern, groove-driven feel. Their sound blends melodeon-led melodies with strong percussion, bass and keyboards, creating music that works equally well for concerts, festivals and dance settings. They’re widely recognised for dynamic live shows that mix traditional material, original tunes and unexpected influences.

The band emerged from the English session and folk-dance scene and quickly built a reputation for powerful, rhythm-focused interpretations of English tunes, often pushing them into territory closer to world, jazz and contemporary folk.

Gerry Colvin is a writer of great substance who is able to give us something that has been largely missing in English Music for a long time. His subjects and characters are clearly defined and his songs create strong images and stories which can make us both laugh and cry in the same breath. This man is unique and unforgettable. The songs are brilliant. He should be a household name. Go see
him.” Phil Beer, Show of Hands

Folk-pop legend Gerry Colvin must be one of the most endearing and energetic musicians on the planet, just as much at home playing small clubs as he is supporting Status Quo on their Aquostic Live Tour. This multi-talented singer-songwriter performs all his own material, combining catchy melodies with thoughtful lyrics on love, society, angst and Johnny Cash! His be-suited on stage performance combines Frank Sinatra, Lee Evans, and the afore-mentioned Man in Black. Genius? Madcap? Maverick? Yes, all of these things…and a lot, lot more.

A stellar musical CV includes co-writing with Alison Moyet, being a John Peel favourite with his 80’s band Terry and Gerry (recently reformed), winning best band (with his band Colvinquarmby) at Fairport’s Cropredy Festival as well as the Hancock Award for best live folk act. A Glastonbury stalwart, he has played several times and also acted as compere on more than one occasion.

Gerry will be playing songs from his ninth album ‘Back and Forth’ as well as favourites from his extensive back catalogue – just expect a great night’s entertainment from this extraordinary performer.

Gerry will be joined by musicians Jerome Davies, double bass, Trish Power, accordion Lyndon Webb, guitar and Michael Keelan on violin

Whalers have been singing shanties for over 20 years and have gathered many loyal supporters on the way. We enjoy singing shanties in the way sailors would have done, with feeling and purpose. In so doing, we like to transport our audiences back to those great days of sail.
We perform regularly at festivals in this country and in France as well putting on concerts with a variety of themes. Recent concerts celebrating 200 years of the RNLI raised over £10,000 for this worthy cause. We sing for all occasions including weddings and funerals.
We also put on workshops for schools and other groups such as cubs and guides, encouraging them to sing, haul, scrub decks etc. We believe that learning should be fun whatever the age of our audience. So wherever you are, come and join us and have a good sing!

Murphy’s Lore Trio are multi-instrumentalists Steve, Noeleen and Alex. With two lead vocals; male and female, plus fiddle, 6 and 4 string guitar, mandolin, ‘Bass Stomp’, Bodhran and Whistle, their dynamic sound, wide-ranging repertoire, plus vocal and instrumental harmony arrangements, give them something quite unique amongst Dorset folk bands. The Trio have been described as ‘greater than the sum of their parts’, with a growing reputation for live performances of songs and tunes that meld trad folk with attitude, they can be rousing and rollicking but also wistful and whimsical

With a crowd-pleasing mix of Bluegrass energy and driving Old-Time rhythms, Sian & Rob Colquhoun deliver an authentic performance full of vitality. Toe-tapping originals and skilled interpretations of tunes and songs drawing on early bluegrass, old-time mountain music, country blues and their own Scots-Irish Roots. Expect gorgeous close harmonies, fiery flatpickin’, hypnotic old-time banjo and a flourish of percussive flat-foot dancing.

Purbeck Rising finalists in 2025, their performances have been described as “mesmerising” and “unforgettable” with “wonderful musicianship” and “amusing anecdotes that kept us enthralled”

Recent reviews

“a deep dive into Appalachian culture…great performance” Sam Simmons, Folklife.uk

“mesmerised the audience with a class performance” Newport Folk Club

“Beautiful arrangements – masterful banjo and guitar” Forest Folk Club

“a magical evening” Frome Festival

“Seemingly effortless, yet filled with vitality” Rosie Upton

“wonderful musicianship, harmonious singing and absorbing knowledgeable stories kept the audience fascinated – an excellent evening” Mick Tems, Editor, FolkWales Online Magazine

With their signature blend of gritty ragtime, country heart, bluesy stomp, and folk-fuelled fire, all served with a fistful of "musical talent and unbridled humour”, The Swamp Stomp String Band delivers brazen, theatrical live shows that turn dance floors into dust clouds and spontaneous cider-soaked singalongs into unforgettable nights.

Armed with gritty guitars, twanging banjos, howling harmonicas, a thudding double bass, pounding drums, and their distinctive flat-pack honky-tonk piano, they tear through everything from riotous songs of questionable life choices to heart-worn ballads and modern sea shanties. Play your cards right, and you might even get invited for a waltz!

Fiercely independent, they self-record and self-release every track, working with friends, family and loved ones at every stage they bring a true DIY spirit to every stomp, shout, and sweaty encore.

For over 10 years they’ve stormed stages across the UK, from muddy festival fields to ram-packed city venues. And with three successful, self-promoted, nationwide tours behind them, this band unapologetically continues to hold two fingers up to those algorithm-friendly, over polished imitations and prove it’s still possible to play with heart, energy and personality.

Man The Lifeboats began life in a shanty-punk folk mosh pit in 2016. Skinny Lister and Holy Moly & the Crackers were the two bands that lit the fire and blew the roof of the Garage that night. Fast forward 8 years and 100 gigs and counting and Man The Lifeboats are ploughing their full-throttle folked-up furrow on the festival circuit, winning over audiences at Moseley, Purbeck, Warwick, Swanage, Jurassic Fields, Beardy Folk, Folk in a Field, Bearded Theory, Deepdale, Ragged Bear and more, drawing comparisons to Bellowhead, Waterboys, Oyster band, the Levellers, and those folk-punk heroes the Pogues.

The second album Soul Of Albion hit no. 27 in the Official Folk Charts in 2022. Recorded at Rockfield Studios, it sounds like Led Zeppelin arm-wrestling Shane McGowan in a Birmingham brewery, like Jimbo band Fruitbat fronting Fairport Convention, like The Albion Band turned up to 11 with their fiddles on fire. Tonic for these troubled times.

“9/10. A stomping musical cocktail of alchemic proportions” – OUTLINE MAGAZINE

“Sounds like The Men They Couldn’t Hang at Their Height meet The Clash-it’s a belter” FOLKING.COM

“Think The Pogues in overdrive with the breath of the Dropkick Murphys down their necks” – TURN UP THE VOLUME

“Superior Stuff”- CRACK MAGAZINE

“Excellent album, full of high-octane folk and dark rumination” – AMERICANA UK

“An atmospheric and searching saga” – SONGWRITING MAGAZINE

Ninebarrow (Jon Whitley and Jay LaBouchardiere) are a multi-award-winning folk duo, who are impressing audiences across the country with their innovative and captivating take on the folk tradition.

Described by Mark Radcliffe as sounding ‘like two halves of one voice’ and by Mercury Music Prize nominee Kate Rusby as ‘absolutely amazing’, Jon and Jay combine breath taking vocal harmonies and melodies, delivering original songs that are inspired and rooted in the landscape and history of the British Isles.

As well as crafting unique and engaging original material, Ninebarrow also take a wide-range of traditional folk songs and rework them in their own, distinctive way.

Multi-award winning Merry Hell offer joyful, uplifting folk-rock, with a message of hope for troubled times. Native to the North-West of England, the 8-piece musical charabanc emerged from the embers of the much-loved folk-punk band The Tansads, before developing a life and feel all of its own.

Their energy and passion is complemented by their love of what they do and desire to share hope and togetherness with as many people as possible. Through 6 well-received albums and hundreds of gigs, they’ve offered voices of hope and beacons of light to anyone valuing both melody and positive humanity.

Their live appearances have won many admirers, a recent review referred to "every performance a celebration" and they are currently holders of Folking.com's Best Live Band Award.

The group performs as either a full electric 8-piece or a slimmed down, more acoustic 6-piece but offer all the songs, all the spirit and all the energy. Emergency Lullabies, their latest album, gained wonderful reviews, significant airplay and a place in the UK Official Folk Chart, with the 2021 single When We Meet Again hitting No.8 in the USA Folk Radio charts – all confirming that this is a band on the rise!

Dark Sheep are an extension of the infamous Black Sheep trio of Johno (Bass) Plim (Drums) and Titch (Fiddle) with the addition of fiddle wizard Ashley Reed (Savage Rabbits / Albion Band / Wolf Maahn / Celtic Orbis).

Ashley and Titch have crossed bows since the 1980’s from their early exploits within the Christchurch music scene. Both are much influenced by the playing attitude of Dave Swarbrick (RIP), whom Ashley earned the greatest respect, sitting alongside in the London session scene; likewise Titch liaising and building, Swarb’s amplified violins.

In late 2024 Ashley stepped into the full Black Sheep line up whilst Titch recovered from a shoulder injury, this has developed into the Dark Sheep project, exploring the delights of twin fiddle harmony and hullabaloo. Titch’s dance influenced flair illuminates Ashley’s virtuosity, creating a unique symbiotic sound that comes from a deep comprehension of each other’s playing. Combined with the well-developed, rock solid backing of Johno and Plim this project has found its feet throughout 2025 and the path ahead will be full of fiddley twists and turns.

Reg Meuross solo touring with Fire & Dust: A Woody Guthrie Story

“Reg’s terrific songs tell Woody’s life story with respect and affection, but also truth.”
Pete Townshend

Award-winning Reg Meuross was introduced onto the stage of the Albert Hall by Mike Harding as ‘one of this country’s finest’ and is a true modern troubadour, representing contemporary English folk writing at its best. Captivating audiences with his beautiful tenor voice, and with breadth and depth of material that is unparalleled, Reg has toured extensively for decades across the UK, Europe, North America and the Antipodes.

Masterfully accompanying himself on his ‘44 Martin six-string guitar, harmonica, tenor guitar, banjo and dulcimer, witnessing a Reg Meuross performance is to experience a journey into the heart, soul and songs of one of England’s most celebrated writers. Stories that need to be told; struggles that need to be known; injustice that needs to be uncovered; social conscience that needs to be celebrated – his music has an unrivalled power to reach and move the listener.

After 15 critically-acclaimed albums, Reg continues to prove how highly relevant his songs are, whilst reaching new audiences with consistently spellbinding performances.

Reg is currently touring with songs from his extensive back catalogue and his new song-cycle Fire & Dust, released March 2025. Fire & Dust, commissioned by Who legend Pete Townshend, delves into the life story of Woody Guthrie. A journey into the heart and soul of one of America’s finest folk musicians – highlighting racism, bigotry, corruption and inequality.

Solo shows begin with a set of songs and narration from Fire & Dust, with a selection of songs old and brand new in the second set.

“Compelling… Meuross captures Guthrie’s spirit with authenticity and depth. Rich classic folk instrumentation and poetic lyricism. This Isn’t just a homage but a vital, living continuation of Guthrie’s legacy” Maverick Magazine

“… the incomparable pleasure of Reg Meuross with his outstanding Woody Guthrie project Fire & Dust…. this album deserves attention and plaudits. The love and respect for these songs shines through. Joyful.” Ralph McTell

“… comfortable in styles from either side of the atlantic, as likely to bear comparisons with Dylan as with a Carthy or a Jones” At The Barrier

The Longest Johns formed in 2012 in their native Bristol. They have a passion for traditional maritime folk music, interwoven with a wry humour, a taste for all things digital. and a flair for their own songwriting – ancient meets modern down by the docks.

Constant gigging over land and sea,and a string of quality releases saw them build a devoted fanbase at home and abroad. Their breakout moment came in 2021, when their rendition of ‘Wellerman’ went viral on TikTok, sparking the ‘Shanty Tok’ craze that became a global resurgence in sea shanty music and saw the band sign to Decca Records.

Last year, they released their tenth album to round up the Pieces of Eight project – an EP a month for eight months culminating in the 24-track compilation. In the next 12 months they’ll continue to take folk music back to its roots by many routes, playing more than 100 shows across the UK, Europe, North America and Australia.

Performing laugh-out-loud funny songs, parody songs but also heartbreakingly
poignant songs, Polly Morris is a whirlwind of entertainment. Her songs have clever
lyrics and catchy melodies and with her eighth album of original songs just released,
she is never short of something new to make you smile.
Polly was awarded FATEA Best Track of the Year Award 2025 for her song “But I
do” which was released in aid of Alzheimer’s Society, and her latest album “Am I an
Alien?” was the winner of the GSMC Award for Best Album in January and also
listed as one of the best albums of the year by Readifolk.
Prepare to be engaged from start to finish, or as one audience member put it “Polly
took me through every emotion I had – from tears to laughter!”

Glastonbury-based singer-songwriter Mandy Woods has had a nomadic life in music, crafting songs wherever she has happened to find herself on her unconventional journey on both sides of the Atlantic. Her songs of hope, heartbreak, humour and the highway – in her unique style somewhere between Americana and folk – are inspired by her own life and adventures and the lives of those around her.