10 Folk Music Artists You Need to Know in the UK

The UK has a long and rich history of folk music, and there are plenty of contemporary artists keeping the tradition alive. Here are ten of the best folk music artists you need to know about in the UK today.

What is folk music?

Folk music is a traditional style of music that is typically passed down from generation to generation. It is often based on the songs and musical traditions of a particular culture or region. Folk music can be found all over the world, and each culture has its own unique style.

In the United Kingdom, folk music has been popular for centuries. There are many different folk traditions in the UK, from the Scottish Highlands to the English countryside. These traditions have produced some of the most talented and well-known folk musicians in the world.

If you’re looking to get into folk music, or just want to learn more about this rich tradition, here are 10 UK folk music artists you need to know.

The history of folk music in the UK

Folk music in the United Kingdom has a long and rich history dating back to the medieval era. Over the centuries, folk music has been used as a way to express regional identity, social commentary, and political protest. In recent years, there has been a renewed interest in folk music, with a new generation of artists taking inspiration from the past while adding their own unique perspectives. Here are 10 folk music artists you need to know in the UK.

1. Eliza Carthy

Eliza Carthy is one of the most respected and influential figures in contemporary British folk music. Born into a musical family (her father is renowned folk musician Martin Carthy), she began her career as a member of the Waterson family folk band before embarking on a solo career in the early 1990s. Her work encompasses both traditional and contemporary folk styles, and she has won multiple awards for her albums (including Best Album at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards).

2. Lisa Knapp

Lisa Knapp is a singer-songwriter from London whose music draws heavily on English Folk traditions. She first came to prominence with her 2007 album Wild And Undaunted, which was nominated for Best Album at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards. Her follow-up albums have continued to receive critical acclaim, with her most recent release, Till April Is Dead, earning rave reviews from critics.

3. Kate Rusby

Kate Rusby is one of the most popular and successfulfolk singers in recent years. Born in Yorkshire, she began her career singing traditional folksongs before releasing her debut album in 1995 (The Girl Who Couldn’t Fly). Since then, she has gone on to release thirteen more albums, winning multiple awards along the way (including Best Album at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards twice). She has also been nominated for a Mercury Prize and an Ivor Novello Award.

4 The Unthanks
The Unthanks are an English indie-folk band fronted by sisters Rachel and Becky Unthank. They first came to prominence with their 2007 album The Bairns, which won widespread acclaim from critics and led to them being nominated for several awards (including Best Album at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards). Since then, they have released six more albums to critical acclaim, including their most recent release, Diversions Vol 4: The Fate of carrots & other veg launched into Space from Moldananer: 2017 onwards… , which was nominated for Best Album at this year’s BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards.

10 folk music artists you need to know

Folk music has been making a comeback in recent years, with a new wave of artists bringing the genre to a whole new audience. If you’re looking for some new folk music to check out, here are 10 artists you need to know from the UK.

1. Conor Oberst
2. John Smith
3. Lisa Hannigan
4. Passenger
5. Mumford & Sons
6. Laura Marling
7. Eliza Carthy
8. The Staves
9. Benjamin Francis Leftwich
10. Josienne Clarke & Ben Walker

The different types of folk music

Folk music has been around for centuries and has its roots in the oral traditions of cultures around the world. It’s a genre that’s often passed down from generation to generation, and as a result, it can take on many different forms.

In the UK, there are a number of different folk music traditions, each with its own unique history and sound. Here are just a few of the many folk music artists you need to know in the UK:

1. The O’Neill Brothers

2. The Wailin’ Jennys

3. Kate Rusby

4. The Paperboys

5. Great Big Sea

6. Crooked Still

7. Sarah Jarosz

8. The Elk River Sessions 9. The Duhks 10. Cherish the Ladies

The popularity of folk music in the UK

Although the United Kingdom is often thought of as a country with a rich history of rock and pop music, the popularity of folk music in the UK should not be underestimated. In recent years, there has been a resurgence in interest in folk music, with a new generation of artists taking influence from the classic sounds of the genre.

Here are 10 folk music artists you need to know in the UK:

1. The Shires
2. Ward Thomas
3. Seth Lakeman
4. The Staves
5. Passenger
6. Lisa Knapp
7. Lucy Ward
8. Kathryn Roberts & Sean Lakeman
9. Sam Lee
10. Cara Dillon

The benefits of listening to folk music

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Folk music has been shown to have a number of benefits for both mental and physical health. Listening to folk music can help reduce stress and anxiety, improve sleep quality, boost mood and energy levels, and even increase cognitive performance.

In addition to the benefits for mental and physical health, folk music can also promote social bonding and provide a sense of community. Folk music is often passed down from generation to generation, making it a unique form of cultural heritage. It can also be used as a tool for social change, as it has been throughout history.

If you’re looking for some new folk music to add to your collection, here are 10 folk music artists you need to know in the UK:

1. Kate Rusby
2. Martin Carthy
3. Eliza Carthy
4. Lisa Knapp
5. The Unthanks
6. Peggy Seeger
7. Bellowhead
8. Ninebarrow
9. Phillip Henry & Hannah Martin
10. The Young’uns

The best places to listen to folk music in the UK

Folk music has been part of the British Isles for centuries, with different regions developing their own distinct styles. Today, there are many different places to enjoy folk music in the UK, from traditional pubs to more modern venues.

Here are 10 of the best places to listen to folk music in the UK:

The Oysterband – Founded in Canterbury in the 1970s, The Oysterband are one of the most respected and influential British folk bands. They have released over 20 albums, including their latest, ‘Diamonds on the Water’ (2017).

The Levellers – The Levellers are a folk-punk band from Brighton who formed in 1988. They are known for their anthemic songs about social justice and political activism, such as ‘One Way’ and ‘What a Beautiful Day’.

The Pogues – The Pogues are an Irish-British Celtic punk band who formed in London in 1982. They are best known for their hit song ‘Fairytale of New York’, which is often played at Christmas time.

Bellowhead – Bellowhead were a 12-piece English folk band from Oxfordshire who disbanded in 2016 after 16 years together. During their time they released six studio albums and won two BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards.

Eliza Carthy & The Wayward Band – Eliza Carthy is a singer, songwriter and fiddle player from Yorkshire. She has released 13 albums, including her most recent, ‘Big Machine’ (2017), which was nominated for the Mercury Prize.

The Unthanks – The Unthanks are an Englishfolk group from Northumberland who formed in 2006. They have released eight albums, including ‘Mount The Air’ (2015), which was nominated for the Mercury Prize.
Alexandra Sauser-Monnig – Alexandra Sauser-Monnig is a singer-songwriter from Minneapolis who performs under the name Daughter of Swords. She has released two albums, including her most recent, ‘Mountain Battles’ (2019).
The Staves – The Staves are a Britishfolk rock trio from Watford who formed in 2009. They have released three albums, including their most recent, ‘Dead & Born & Grown’ (2012), which was nominated for the Mercury Prize.

The future of folk music in the UK

Folk music in the UK is evolving. No longer the preserve of beardy men in waistcoats strumming acoustic guitars, it has been invigorated by a new wave of musicians bringing their own fresh take on the genre. Here are ten folk artists you need to know about who are leading the charge in shaping the future of folk music in the UK.

1. Luke Sital-Singh
2. Marry Waterson and Oliver Knight
3. The Issacs
4. The Young’uns
5. Phosphorescent
6. Leveret
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How to get involved in the folk music scene in the UK

Folk music has been making a comeback in recent years, with a new generation of artists taking inspiration from the classic sounds of the genre. If you’re interested in getting involved in the folk music scene in the UK, here are 10 artists you need to know.

1. Eliza Carthy

Eliza Carthy is one of the most respected names in folk music today. She first came to prominence as a member of the Waterson family band, but has since gone on to forge her own successful solo career. Her latest album, Big Machine, was released to critical acclaim in 2018.

2. The Young’uns

The Young’uns are a folky three-piece from County Durham in England. They’re best known for their beautiful harmonies and stirring songwriting, which often deals with social and political issues. They’ve won multiple awards for their work, including BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards ‘Best Group’ three years in a row.

3. Nadine Shah

Nadine Shah is a singer-songwriter from South Shields in England. She first came to attention with her 2013 debut album Love Your Dum and Mad, which earned her a Mercury Prize nomination. Her dark and atmospheric brand of folk has garnered comparisons to Shirley Collins and Nick Cave, and she’s become one of the most exciting names in British music over the past few years.

4. Lily Kershaw

Lily Kershaw is an American singer-songwriter who moved to London in 2012. She’s best known for her haunting 2014 single “As it Seems”, which was used in an episode of hit TV show Hannibal. Her ethereal brand of folk has won her a dedicated fanbase, and she’s currently working on her second album.

5.’The Wailin’ Jennys ‘ The Wailin’ Jennys are a Canadian folk trio who formed in 2002. They’re best known for their beautiful three-part harmonies, which have earned them comparisons to groups like The Andrews Sisters and The replaced byCoopers Mountain Hounds If you’re interested…

Top tips for enjoying folk music

With the immense popularity of BBC’s ‘The folk Songs of Britain, Ireland and America’, it seems that the great British public have well and truly taken to heart the sounds of traditional folk music.

Here are 10 tips for enjoying folk music, whether you’re a seasoned listener or just getting started:

1. Folk music is best enjoyed live. There’s nothing quite like seeing a folk singer or band in person, so try to catch a live performance if you can.

2. If you can’t make it to a live show, there are plenty of folk music festivals happening around the UK throughout the year. Attending one of these is a great way to immerse yourself in the genre and see multiple artists perform.

3. If you want to learn more about folk music, there are various websites and online forums dedicated to the subject. Doing some research will help you understand the history and origins of the music, as well as appreciate it more when you listen to it.

4. Make sure you listen to a variety of different artists within the genre – don’t just stick to one or two. There is so much great folk music out there, so explore as much of it as you can.

5. Keep an open mind when listening to folk music. It can be easy to write off something that you don’t initially like, but give it a chance and you may be surprised by how much you enjoy it.

6. If you have friends or family who are into folk music, ask them for recommendations on who to listen to – they may know of some great artists that you’re not yet aware of.

7. Check out online streaming services such as Spotify or Apple Music – they both have extensive selections of folk music available to listen to for free (with ads), or without ads if you pay for a premium subscription.

8. Many radio stations now have dedicatedfolk music programs that are definitely worth tune into – BBC Radio 2 even has an entire channel devoted to the genre! Give them a listen and see whattake your fancy. 9 . Buying CDs or downloads from your favourite artists is always a great wayto support them financially, but there are also plenty of ways to enjoyfolk music for free too – many artists make their tracks availableto stream on their website or social media channels (such as Soundcloudor Bandcamp), so have a browse and see whatyou can find