Folk Festivals Roundup, 2023
All the info you need to make your folk festival choices ahead of the summer.
Latest articles
Johnny Sands – Jon Wilks
Jon Wilks discusses the origins of his new single and video, the traditional song, 'Johnny Sands'.
George Sansome & Matt Quinn, Sheffield Park – a review
George Sansome & Matt Quinn kickstart their new duo with Sheffield Park, an album on which they wear their love of traditional folk songs firmly on their sleeves.
Reg Meuross, Stolen from God – a review
Stolen from God, a new song cycle from Reg Meuross, marks the culmination of four years digging into the hellish history of the Atlantic Slave Trade.
DERT: The Results
Didn't make it to Rochdale for DERT 2023? Never fear, here's a round up of the results and action.
Sidmouth Folk Festival 2023 – a mini guide for newbies
Want to know what to expect from Sidmouth Folk Festival, 2023? We'll keep this page updated so that you stay in the know.
Customs uncovered
Dig in to our selection of articles covering traditional British customs and the manner in which they survive and thrive today.
Customs uncovered: St Agnes Eve, dumb cakes, and the prediction of the future
St Agnes Day was traditionally a time when young women were able to bring about visions of their future lovers and husbands. Here's how...
An interview with the Whittlesea Straw Bear
Meet Douglas Kell, occasional Whittlesea Straw Bear and the latest director of the Straw Bear Festival, and find out what it means to be one of the UK's most-loved folk icons.
Making Mischief: Folk Costume in Britain – an exhibition
Making Mischief is a new exhibition to be staged at Compton Verney, Warwickshire, dedicated to British folk costumes. It's the first of its kind. Here's all you need to know.
Twelfth Night, Old Christmas and St Stephen’s Day… revisited
As Halwyn Folk release a new video exploring Old Christmas, we take a look at some of the commonly asked questions around Twelfth Night.
Guise Dancing: the Christmastime mumming tradition of West Cornwall
Tom Goskar, a born-again guise dancer in southwest Cornwall, explores the little-known Cornish tradition that is guise dancing.
A Beginner’s Guide to the Sheffield Carols
Heading to the Sheffield Carols? Want to know where to go, what songs to sing and a little of the etiquette? We've got you covered.
Handbags and Broomsticks: Molly Dancing for the uninitiated
Ever wondered where Morris Dancers go in the winter, when it's a bit chilly for standing outside a pub in shirt sleeves? Well, if they're based in East Anglia, there's a chance they'll change their kit and head to the Fens to partake in a spot of Molly Dancing instead. To save you from having to change out of your slippers, Rachel Wilkinson went to find out more about this traditional dance style from the East of England and the Midlands.
Customs uncovered: Woggle Hopping
Can woggle hopping be classed as a British custom? Probably not, but it still deserves a mention as an eccentric activity that briefly caught the public imagination.
The Old Songs Podcast
Exploring traditional folk music one song at a time.
Celebrated melodeon player, John Spiers, joins Jon Wilks on the Old Songs Podcast to discuss the Morris tune, The Princess Royal.
In this week's episode of the Old Songs Podcast, Nick Hart interviews Jon Wilks about the traditional song, The Gloucestershire Wassail [Roud 209].
Folk music reviews
Reviewing the latest releases on the traditional folk music scene. We focus on traditional music, or music that has been directly inspired by it.
George Sansome & Matt Quinn kickstart their new duo with Sheffield Park, an album on which they wear their love of traditional folk songs firmly on their sleeves.
Stolen from God, a new song cycle from Reg Meuross, marks the culmination of four years digging into the hellish history of the Atlantic Slave Trade.
Saving the Good Stuff Vo1 is a beautifully arranged and recorded document of Harbottle & Jonas's lockdown adventures, featuring tradfolk classics and a few surprising twists.
