Artists

Jez Lowe is an English folk singer-songwriter born in 1955 into a County Durham mining family with Irish roots. His songwriting is rooted in the life and industrial decline of North-East England, tackled with a strong streak of humour alongside the social commentary. He performs at Otley with his long-running band, The Bad Pennies, playing guitar, harmonica, cittern and mandolin. His songs have been covered by artists including Fairport Convention, The Unthanks and The Dubliners, and he was a principal writer for the BBC's award-winning Radio Ballads series. Their annual Christmas tour has sold out UK venues for 15 years running, and 2023's album Snow Dancing continued a discography stretching back to 1990's Briefly on the Street.

Widely regarded as one of the finest acoustic and slide guitarists of his generation, Martin Simpson (born 1953, Scunthorpe) turned professional at 14 and released his debut album, Golden Vanity, in 1976.

He has been nominated more times for the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards than any other artist, and has collaborated with musicians ranging from June Tabor to Bonnie Raitt and Richard Thompson. His songwriting is as celebrated as his playing — "Never Any Good," his song about his father, is often cited as one of the finest British folk songs of the century. He continues to record and tour extensively, blending English, American and blues traditions.

Folk luminaries John Spiers & Jackie Oates join forces to bring a mesmerizing blend of traditional English songs, dance tunes, and melancholic ballads to the stage. Combining Spiers’ rhythmic melodeon and concertina mastery with Oates’ haunting vocals and soulful fiddle work, the duo creates an intimate, joyful soundscape that honours traditional heritage while captivating contemporary audiences.

Chris Sherburn (concertina) and Denny Bartley (vocals and guitar) met by chance at Whitby Folk Festival in 1993 and have performed together ever since, also known for their former trio Last Night's Fun. In 2016 they were joined by fiddle and viola player Emily Sanders, a founding member of the band Isambarde, adding vocal harmonies and English folk repertoire alongside the pair's Celtic and traditional roots. Their latest album, Beguile, features guest appearances from Martin Simpson and Andy Seward (Kate Rusby Band). Expect soul-stirring songs, exhilarating tunes and a lot of on-stage banter.

Hailing from the heart of West Yorkshire, Bryony Griffith & Alice Jones draw on their deep regional roots to celebrate the traditional songs, tunes, and broadsides of their native county. Featuring distinctive close-harmony singing, fiddle, harmonium, and rhythmic step-dancing, their lively performances breathe fresh vitality into industrial ballads, local lore, and forgotten regional treasures.

Musician, performer, and songwriter Tim Dalling delivers an unpredictable, wildly entertaining blend of folk song, theatrical cabaret, and accordion virtuosity. Best known for his decades touring with the iconic Old Rope String Band, Dalling’s solo shows showcase poetic songwriting, physical comedy, and musical genius, leaving audiences thoroughly charmed and mesmerized.

Katie Spencer is an East Yorkshire singer-songwriter whose evocative craft stands alongside the legendary sound of 1970s folk-jazz icons like Michael Chapman and John Martyn. Combining intricate fingerstyle guitar play with warm, introspective vocals, her songs paint vivid soundscapes of open landscapes and quiet reflections, establishing her as one of the brightest talents in modern English acoustic music.

Songwriter and guitarist Patsy Matheson brings decades of performance craftsmanship and warmth to every stage. As a founding member of the acclaimed 2000s folk quartet Waking the Witch and an established solo artist, Matheson captures listeners with her rhythmic acoustic guitar, engaging stage presence, and beautifully crafted original songs.

Plumhall (Michelle Plum and Nick B Hall) are a dynamic Yorkshire duo whose blend of vocal harmonies and rich acoustic guitar work has earned them widespread critical acclaim. Delivering a powerful mix of original material and re-imagined folk classics, their captivating live performances combine passion, humour, and flawless musical chemistry.