Customs Uncovered: Twelfth Night
A night for graffiti, cake and bonfires: we take a look at some Twelfth Night traditions across Europe
Latest articles
Childermas: If it wasn’t for bad luck, I wouldn’t have no luck at all
We explore the least-jolly of the days of Christmas: Childermas
Lully lullay; echoes through time in English and Ukrainian lullabies
How traditional lullabies form a cultural bridge between Britain and Ukraine.
Tradfolk’s mega folk Christmas playlist
All of the best folk Christmas albums in one convenient playlist
The Tradfolk Wassail Directory, 2024-25
Soak your toast in cider, grab your pans and wooden spoons, and head out into your nearest orchard to awaken the sleeping trees and wassail the evil spirits away.
The Old Songs Podcast
Exploring traditional folk music one song at a time.
The 10th episode of The Old Songs Podcast, Jon Wilks chats to broadside ballad singer and researcher, Jennifer Reid, about 'The New Bury Loom' [Roud V9197].
As he enters the third decade of his professional career, Jim Moray joins Jon to discuss the ballad, 'Lord Douglas' [Roud 23].
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].
Debbie Armour of Burd Ellen discusses 'When I was on Horseback' or 'The Unfortunate Rake' [Roud 2] with Jon Wilks.
Everything you ever wanted to know about the traditional ballad, 'The Trees They Do Grow High', sometimes known as 'Long A-Growing' [Roud 31].
Customs uncovered
Dig in to our selection of articles covering traditional British customs and the manner in which they survive and thrive today.
Folk vs Tradition: what’s the difference?
Artist Lucy Wright muses on the difference between folk and tradition.
Customs Uncovered: Shit-Sack Day
Happy Shit-Sack Day to one and all! Join us as we dive nose-first into what is perhaps the best-named of all English traditions.
Customs uncovered: the Cooper’s Hill cheese rolling contest
From injuries to history, everything you (and the internet) have ever wanted to know about the Cooper's Hill cheese rolling contest in Gloucestershire.
Customs uncovered: Bampton Morris dancing, Whit Monday
Bampton Morris dancing is known worldwide for its extraordinary lineage. We chat to one of the tradition bearers and dig into the history.
Traditional May events to add to your calendar
Why is the month of May so important to the folk world? Here's our list of what to do, where to go, what to see, and what it all means.
Tales of a Tutti Man: Hocktide Customs Uncovered
To the woefully unaware, the West Berkshire town of Hungerford may seem like a quaint spot on a pretty canal. But beware: Tutti men are known to prowl at Hocktide.
Customs Uncovered: The Tichborne Dole
Discover the enduring tradition of the Tichborne Dole, a charitable act dating back to the 12th century, offering blessed flour (and curses) to Hampshire locals.
Customs uncovered: Leap Year
It’s not every year you get to write about leap years, for rather obvious reasons. So we thought we ought to jump on the chance in 2024.
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.
As we take that headlong plunge through the late parts of the year, things can get a bit depressing. Going to work in the dark, coming home in the dark, there’s not much fun to be had. Fortunately, the Solstice is on the way, acting as a tiny ray of hope. Janice Burns and Jon Doran know all about darkness and hope. On Great Joy to the New, their latest wintertime album, there’s chilly contemplation and great, warming hugs. There’s […]...
The festive season wouldn’t be complete without a host of new musical offerings. Thankfully 2024 brings us enough traditional favourites and self-penned delights to fill any stocking, festive playlist or family road trip. We’ve rounded them up for you here, complete with shopping links and associated Tradfolk articles, interviews and reviews. And just in time for Bandcamp Friday too (6 December)! Jackie Oates and John Spiers – A Winter’s Night Folk stalwarts Jackie Oates and John Spiers bring us their […]...
Last week, we brought you the inside track on the making of In Winter, the new seasonal album The Unthanks. Now, Gavin McNamara brings you his thoughts on the 70-minute long winter fantasia… Way back in December 2009, BBC4 aired The Christmas Session, a “live” show that featured yuletide favourites from the likes of Bellowhead, Sam Lee, Jim Moray (whose O Come, O Come Emmanuel is the very highest watermark for a folky carol) and Lisa Knapp. It’s a glorious […]...
