New British Folk Music You Need to Check Out
Contents
- The resurgence of British folk music
- The new wave of British folk musicians
- Why British folk music is making a comeback
- How British folk music is evolving
- The influence of British folk music on other genres
- The popularity of British folk music among young people
- The global reach of British folk music
- The future of British folk music
- The impact of technology on British folk music
- The challenges facing British folk music
With a revival in recent years, there are plenty of new British Folk bands emerging and producing some great music. Here are some of our favourites that you need to check out!
The resurgence of British folk music
In recent years, there has been a resurgence of interest in British folk music. This has led to a new generation of musicians who are taking traditional folk songs and giving them a modern twist. Here are some of the best new British folk musicians you need to check out.
Sufjan Stevens is an American musician who has been influenced by British folk music. His album Carrie & Lowell (2015) was inspired by the death of his mother and the landscapes of England.
Laura Marling is a singer-songwriter from England who first came to prominence in 2008 with her debut album Alas, I Cannot Swim. Her music has been described as “pre-war” folk music and she has been compared to Bob Dylan and Joni Mitchell.
Mumford & Sons are a band from England who combine elements of folk, rock and pop music. They have become one of the most successful British bands of recent years, winning multiple Grammy Awards and selling millions of records worldwide.
py is a band from Wales whose music combines elements of traditional Welsh folk music with contemporary indie rock. Their debut album Bwyd Time (2014) was nominated for the Mercury Prize, one of the UK’s most prestigious musical awards.
The new wave of British folk musicians
Since the early 2000s, there has been a resurgence of interest in folk music in the UK. A new generation of musicians is bringing the traditional sounds of Britain to a modern audience, and there are some great new British folk groups that are worth checking out. Here are a few of our favorites.
The Unthanks
The Unthanks are a five-piece band from Newcastle-upon-Tyne in England. Their sound is a mix of traditional folk and contemporary pop, and their lyrics often deal with social and political issues. The band has won several awards for their music, including the BBC Radio 2 Folk Award for Best Album in 2010.
Beth Orton
Beth Orton is a singer-songwriter from Norfolk, England. Her music blends folk, country, and electronica, and she has been credited with helping to bring the sounds of British folk music to a wider audience. Orton has released seven studio albums, and her most recent album, Kidsticks, was released in 2016.
Mumford & Sons
Mumford & Sons are perhaps the most well-known British folk group of the last decade. The band rose to prominence with their debut album, Sigh No More, which was released in 2009. Since then, they have won several Grammys and sold millions of records worldwide.
Why British folk music is making a comeback
In recent years, British folk music has been making a comeback, thanks in part to the popularity of shows like BBC’s Sherlock and Peaky Blinders. While traditional folk songs might conjure up images of rustic country villages and pubs, today’s British folk music is often a modern take on the genre, with artists blending traditional folk instrumentation with contemporary themes and sounds.
If you’re looking for some new British folk music to check out, here are a few artists you should keep an eye on:
The Staves: Hailing from Watford, this trio of sisters creates beautifully harmonies music that draws from both traditional and contemporary influences.
Laura Marling: A singer-songwriter from Hampshire, Laura Marling’s music has been described as “nu-folk” for its mix of acoustic instrumentation and electronics.
Mumford & Sons: One of the most popular British folk bands today, Mumford & Sons is known for their banjo- and mandolin-driven sound.
How British folk music is evolving
British folk music has undergone something of a renaissance in recent years, with a new generation of singer-songwriters and bands taking influence from the traditional music of their homeland and adding their own unique spin. Here are five British folk artists you need to check out.
1. Jamie Smith’s Mabon
2. The Unthanks
3. James Yorkston
4. Emma Pollock
5. Passenger
The influence of British folk music on other genres
British folk music has had a significant influence on other genres, particularly rock music. Folk rock bands like Fairport Convention and Pentangle were highly influential in the late 1960s and early 1970s, and their sound continues to be an important part of British rock music. Other British folk-influenced genres include Celtic rock, Britpop, and indie folk.
In recent years, there has been a resurgence of interest in traditional British folk music. This new wave of British folk performers is creating exciting and innovative music that is drawing attention from all over the world. If you’re looking for some new British folk music to check out, here are a few of the best bands to start with.
The Young’uns
This three-piece band from County Durham is one of the most promising new acts in British folk music. Their debut album “Never Forget” was nominated for the 2016 Mercury Prize, and they have been praised for their “stunning three-part harmonies” (The Telegraph) and “passionate performance[s]” (The Guardian).
Bella Gaffney
Bella Gaffney is a singer-songwriter from Glasgow whose music is influenced by her Scottish heritage. Her debut album “Songs From The Stillhouse” was released to critical acclaim in 2016, with The Scotsman calling it “an assured and accomplished record”. Gaffney’s unique blend of traditional Scottish folk and contemporary pop is truly captivating.
Matt Owens
Matt Owens is a Belfast-born singer-songwriter who first came to prominence as the frontman of Welsh alt-folk band Noah & The Whale. Owens’s solo work is more acoustic and introspective than his work with Noah & The Whale, but it still retains the beautiful melodies and poetic lyrics that have made him one of Britain’s most respected songwriters.
The popularity of British folk music among young people
In recent years, there has been a resurgence in the popularity of British folk music among young people. This has been driven in part by the success of bands like Mumford & Sons and The Lumineers, who have brought the genre to a wider audience.
There are a number of reasons why British folk music is appealing to young people. Firstly, it is seen as a more authentic and down-to-earth alternative to mainstream pop music. Secondly, it often tells stories about the lives of ordinary people, which can be relatable and inspiring. Finally, it is usually acoustic and stripped-back, which makes it easy to listen to.
If you’re looking for some new British folk music to check out, here are five artists that you should definitely add to your playlist:
1. The Staves
2. Benjamin Francis Leftwich
3. Lucy Rose
4. Passenger
5. Aidan Knight
The global reach of British folk music
British folk music has seen a resurgence in popularity in recent years, with a new generation of artists taking influence from the sounds of traditional folk and injecting them with a fresh, contemporary edge.
This new wave of British folk music has been gaining attention globally, with fans across the world eager to get their hands on the latest releases. Here are just a few of the new British folk artists you need to check out…
The global reach of British folk music is evident in the popularity of Mumford & Sons, who have become one of the biggest names in the genre. The band’s 2010 debut album Sigh No More was an instant hit, reaching number two in the UK charts and going on to sell over four million copies worldwide.
Another standout act is The Staves, a trio of sisters from Watford who fuse delicate harmonies with folksy songwriting. The band has released two successful albums, If I Was (2011) and Dead & Born & Grown (2012), and has toured extensively across Europe, North America and Australia.
Of course, it’s not just established artists who are making waves in the British folk scene – there’s also a wealth of exciting new talent emerging. One act to watch out for is 9Bach, a Welsh group whose music combines traditional folk instruments with Electronica. 9Bach released their debut album An Achub Y Morfilod in 2014 to critical acclaim, winning the Welsh Music Prize and becoming one of BBC Radio 6 Music’s Albums of the Year.
The future of British folk music
Folk music has been enjoying a renaissance in recent years, with a new generation of artists taking influence from the past while forging their own unique sound. If you’re looking for something new to add to your playlist, here are some of the best British folk artists making waves today.
The impact of technology on British folk music
British folk music has been through a revival in recent years, with a new generation of musicians carrying on the tradition of using traditional folk songs to comment on modern life. This has been made possible in part by technology, which has allowed musicians to reach a wider audience and to connect with other folk musicians around the world.
In the past, British folk music was often passed down from generation to generation, with songs being altered and adapted over time. This process is known as ‘oral tradition’. However, with the advent of recording technology, folk musicians were able to preserve their songs in a form that could be passed on to future generations. This has allowed for a greater level of continuity in British folk music, as well as providing a record of the changing social conditions in Britain over time.
The rise of digital technology has also had a profound impact on British folk music. Online platforms such as YouTube and SoundCloud have given folk musicians a new way to reach out to audiences, and social media has allowed fans and fellow musicians to connect with each other in ways that were not possible before. This has led to a more open and collaborative approach to making music, and has helped to create a community around British folk music that was not previously possible.
So what does the future hold for British folk music? It seems likely that technology will continue to play an important role in its development, giving rise to new opportunities for collaboration and creativity.
The challenges facing British folk music
British folk music is in a state of flux. The traditional forms of the music are under threat from a number of different sources, but at the same time, there is a lively and vibrant scene of younger musicians who are keeping the music alive and creating new forms of it.
One of the biggest challenges facing folk music in Britain today is its declining popularity. attendances at folk clubs and festivals have been in decline for many years, and this is having a knock-on effect on the number of people who are learning to play traditional instruments. This decline is thought to be due to a number of factors, including the declining popularity of live music in general, competition from other genres such as rock and pop, and the fact that folk music can be seen as old-fashioned by younger people.
Despite these challenges, there is still a strong community of folk musicians in Britain, who are keeping the tradition alive through playing at clubs and festivals, teaching classes and workshops, and passing on their skills to the next generation. There is also an increasing number of younger musicians who are taking an interest in folk music and creating new forms of it. These new forms often incorporate elements from other genres such as rock and pop, resulting in a more contemporary sound that appeals to younger audiences.
So while British folk music faces some challenges, it also has a bright future thanks to the passion and commitment of its musicians.