The inaugural Manchester Folk Festival runs across 4 venues over 4 days centred around HOME. The festival plays host to the finest of English folk and acoustic music – partnering with English Folk Expo which brings festival and venue bookers from across the world to see English music in front of festival audiences in all sorts of venues.

The programme ranges from intimate traditional concerts to full blown global gigs giving a broad spectrum of styles and influences within every gig.  Through experiencing out of the ordinary combinations of artists, we can’t wait for audiences to discover and enjoy this incredible music. We are thrilled that Manchester Folk Festival is an exciting new addition to the Manchester and UK festival scene.

Jon Boden and the Remnant Kings with Ninebarrow and Alistair Anderson

Jon Boden comes full circle. Having left Bellowhead to pursue a more personal approach to traditional music, he comes to Home with an eleven piece Remnant Kings to showcase his new album, Afterglow. The concert promises a combination of engaging intimacy and lush arrangements with some of English Folk’s finest musicians joining the enigmatic Boden.

Ninebarrow and Alistair Anderson and the Northlands provide an exciting support to the opening concert.

Thursday 19th October , HOME

Image by Tom Oldham

Afro Celt Sound System with Night Jar and Sound of Sirens

A colossus of musical collaboration, Afro Celt Sound System are an African and European collective whose 2016 album saw an ambitious return to form followed by acclaimed live performances. We’re thrilled to have the band in top gear for what promises to be a stunning Friday night on The Ritz’s famous sprung dancefloor.

Friday 20th October, The Ritz

Keston Cobblers Club with Jinnwoo and  Jack Rutter

Having charmed festival audiences across Europe, Keston Cobblers continue to develop their unique blend of rambunctious folk and joyous pop. Championed and loved by everyone from Bob Harris to Steve Lamacq, their live shows continue to build and develop on a definition of folk music – and pop.

Friday 20th October, Gorilla

The Young Uns with The East Pointers and Jackie Oates

Contemporary social issues are treated with reverence and lovingly crafted harmonies by the award winning trio, The Young Uns. Combining work in schools with residency weekends all alongside the release of their new album, Strangers, celebrating amazing modern day personal achievements, the trio have a deserved reputation for a stirring and moving live show.

Friday 20th October, HOME

Kathryn Tickell – Tales and Tunes

With work deeply routed in Northumbria, Kathryn Tickell’s new project blends her skills as a player, composer, and performer alongside writer David Almond, and director Max Roberts of Live Theatre. With inspiration from the landscape, language, history and strange beauty of the north. storytelling, the poetic power of language and music combine. On stage Kathryn and David are joined by accordionist and clog dancer Amy Thatcher to bring you a memorable afternoon of stories, songs and, of course, irrepressible music.

Saturday 21st October, HOME

False Lights and Kings of the South Seas

False lights have been described as gleefully raucous guitar band that plays traditional songs and tunes. Jim Moray and Sam Carter’s project formed in 2015 and continues to reinvent a joyous live show. Saturday night in Home’s theatre 2 space will see the explosion of live energy  from the band’s new album out this Autumn combing sublime harmonies with very big guitar riffs and spirit. False Lights owe as much to Radiohead as they do to Fairport Convention.

King of the South Seas first album powered through seas shanties of men not fishing but whaling. An enormous sound inspired by desperate and desolate adventures. They visit Manchester to preview their new album, Franklin which follows the disappearance of Captain John Franklin’s arctic expedition in the 19th century. The fruitless search and speculation gripped a Victorian society and left a wealth of musical, theatrical and literary material in its wake.

Saturday 21st October, HOME

The full festival programme offers a wide take of English folk with shows through from Thursday evening to Sunday lunchtime. Combining 2 or 3 shows will offer more than 5 of the finest and original artists inspired by unforgettable inspiring stories, songs passed on and contemporary tales of society. Mornings are filled with contemporary crafting workshops, in conversation with artists or traditional sing arounds in the splendid environment of The Briton’s Protection. With delegates travelling from throughout the world to see this selection of the best in folk roots and acoustic music, we’re thrilled to offer it to audiences in incredible live arts venues.

For more info visit www.manchesterfolkfestival.org.uk follow @McrFolkFest and https://www.facebook.com/Manchester-Folk-Festival-242544396155605/