The Best Folk Music Videos You Need to See

Looking for some new music to check out? Check out these awesome folk music videos! From up-and-coming artists to established acts, there’s something here for everyone.

The Avett Brothers – “Ain’t No Man”

The Avett Brothers’ “Ain’t No Man” might be one of the most purely joyful folk music videos ever made. The NC-based band hired Brooklyn-based artist Steve Smith to direct the video, and it features the family and friends of the Avetts lip syncing and dancing along to the tune in a series of colorful settings. It’s impossible to watch without a smile on your face.

The Head and the Heart – “All We Ever Knew”

The Head and the Heart are an American indie folk band. They self-released their debut album, The Head and the Heart, in 2010 and signed to Sub Pop in 2011. The group’s second album, Let’s Be Still, was released in 2013.
Their live shows are renowned for their infectious energy, and “All We Ever Knew” is a perfect example of that. The video was directed by Tyler Hayes and features the band playing in a warehouse as people of all ages dance along.

The Lumineers – “Cleopatra”

The Lumineers released “Cleopatra” in 2016 as the lead single from their album of the same name. The music video, directed by Isaac Rentz, was shot entirely in black-and-white. It tells the story of a couple who is struggling in their relationship but still can’t seem to let go.

The video begins with the two main characters, Cleopatra and Julius, sitting in a car together. Cleopatra is trying to fix her hair in the rear-view mirror while Julius stares straight ahead, lost in thought. We then see flashbacks of the couple’s happier times intermingled with shots of them arguing.

Near the end of the video, we see Cleopatra walking down a busy street alone. She stops to look at her reflection in a store window and sees Julius walking towards her. They make eye contact for a moment before Cleopatra turns and walks away.

The “Cleopatra” music video is a beautifully shot and edited portrayal of a relationship that has run its course. The use of black-and-white adds to the emotional intensity of the video and helps to tell the story in a more impactful way. If you’re a fan of folk music or just good music videos in general, this is one that you need to see.

Of Monsters and Men – “Little Talks”

With its quirky stop-motion animation, “Little Talks” is one of the most creative and visually arresting music videos to come out in recent years. The Icelandic band Of Monsters and Men made the video with animators from the London-based studio “NED&CO.”

The video tells the story of two monsters, one big and one small, who live in an abandoned city filled with trash and debris. The smaller monster is always getting into trouble, and the bigger monster has to come to his rescue. In the end, the two monsters realise that they need each other and they become friends.

The video was nominated for an MTV Video Music Award for Best Art Direction, and it won a UK Music Video Award for Best Animation.

Mumford & Sons – “I Will Wait”

Mumford & Sons’ official video for their song “I Will Wait” is a perfect example of a great folk music video. The video was shot in black and white, which gives it a classic feel, and it features the band members performing in a variety of settings, including on a farm and in a field. The video also includes footage of the band members interacting with each other and with fans, which helps to give the viewer a sense of who they are as people.

The Paper Kites – “Bloom”

The Paper Kites are an indie folk band from Melbourne, Australia. The group formed in 2010 and have released four studio albums. “Bloom” is a single from their 2012 album States. The song peaked at number 10 on the Australian charts and the music video was nominated for an ARIA Award.

The Head and the Heart – “Lost in My Mind”

The Head and the Heart’s “Lost in My Mind” is a gorgeous song, and the video is a perfect match. Directed by Wes Hurley, it’s a mix of live action and animation that tells the story of a young man in love with aBird, set against the backdrop of Soviet Russia. The visuals are stunning, and the song is sure to stay with you long after you’ve watched it.

Passenger – “Let Her Go”

This video by folk singer-songwriter Passenger, aka Mike Rosenberg, has racked up an astounding 946 million views on YouTube. The song is a heart-wrenching ballad about the regrets of a man who let the love of his life slip away, and the video perfectly captures the emotions of the song. Shot in one take with a single camera, the video follows Rosenberg as he wanders through an abandoned station while singing the song. The video is simple but effective, and the emotion of the song comes through loud and clear.

The Lumineers – “Ho Hey”

The Lumineers’ self-titled debut album was one of 2012’s breakout hits, and “Ho Hey” was the song that got everyone hooked. The simple, anthemic tune is perfectly matched by the band’s homemade music video, which features the Lumineers performing in various locations around their hometown of Denver, Colorado. The video has a charming DIY quality that perfectly captures the spirit of the song.

Of Monsters and Men – “Dirty Paws”

“Dirty Paws” is a song by Icelandic indie folk band Of Monsters and Men. The song was released as the second single from their debut album My Head Is an Animal. The music video for “Dirty Paws” was directed by We Were Monkeys.

The video features the band performing the song in a forest. The video also features animal puppets, which are used to represent the lyrics of the song.

The video received positive reviews, with many critics praising the visuals and the creativity of the video.