How to Find Traditional Folk Music in the UK
Contents
There are many ways to find traditional folk music in the UK. You can attend a folk music festival, go to a folk music club, or listen to folk music on the radio.
Introduction
Traditional folk music has been around for centuries and is a vital part of the countries music heritage. There are many ways to find traditional folk music in the United Kingdom, whether it be online, through record labels or at live events. This guide will give you an overview of the different ways you can discover traditional folk music in the UK.
What is traditional folk music?
Traditional folk music is the music of the people. It’s passed down from generation to generation, and it’s often about specific events or places. Folk music often has a strong sense of community, and it can be about love, loss, work, or play.
Where to find traditional folk music in the UK
Traditional folk music in the UK can be found in a number of different places. If you’re looking for traditional folk music in the UK, you might want to start by checking out some of the following places: the British Folk Music Society, Folk Songs of Britain and Ireland, and the English Folk Dance and Song Society. You can also find traditional folk music in the UK by searching for it on the internet.
England
Folk music has seen a resurgence in popularity in recent years, with a new wave of artists bringing the genre to a wider audience. If you’re interested in finding out more about traditional folk music, there are plenty of places to go and things to do in the UK.
In England, the home of traditional folk music, there are many festivals and events held throughout the year. The most famous is probably the annual Cheltenham Folk Festival, which takes place in June. Other notable events include Whitby Folk Week and Sidmouth Folk Week.
There are also plenty of opportunities to see folk music being performed in smaller venues. In London, for example, there are several folk clubs where you can go to hear live music. The Green Note in Camden is one of the most popular, but there are also clubs in Fulham, Islington and Hammersmith. If you’re outside London, check out Folk on the Coast in Hastings or The Metronome in Derby.
If you want to learn more about traditional folk music, there are several excellent books that have been published on the subject. One of the best is A History of English Folk Music by Simon Evans, which covers everything from the earliest ballads to the present day. Alternatively, try The Lost Songs of England by Roy Palmer, which includes 200 songs that have largely been forgotten about.
Scotland
Although Scotland is most commonly associated with the Celtic music of Ireland and Brittany, it has its own unique folk tradition. Scottish folk music includes both songs and instrumental pieces, often based on traditional stories or air.
Common instruments used in Scottish folk music include the fiddle, accordion, bagpipes, and Highland pipes. Traditional folk songs often tells stories of love, loss, and humor, and are often passed down from generation to generation.
There are a number of ways to find traditional Scottish folk music. One option is to attend a live performance at a music venue or festival. Many Scottish pubs also host regular folk music nights, where local musicians come together to play traditional songs.
If you’re looking for a more immersive experience, consider taking a trip to the Hebridean island of Lewis and Harris. This island is home to the Gaelic language and culture, and its traditional music has been UNESCO-recognized as a form of intangible cultural heritage.
Wales
Although it is not as widely known as Irish or Scottish folk music, Wales has a rich musical tradition of its own. If you are interested in finding traditional folk music in Wales, there are a few different ways to go about it.
One option is to attend one of the many music festivals that take place in Wales throughout the year. Many of these festivals focus on traditional Welsh music, and some even feature musicians from other parts of the UK and beyond. Attendees can often find a comprehensive schedule of events online in advance of the festival.
Another way to find traditional Welsh folk music is to visit one of the many museums or cultural centers dedicated to preserving and promoting the country’s musical heritage. These institutions often host performances and other events featuring traditional Welsh music, and they may also have resources such as recordings, books, and films that visitors can access.
If you are unable to travel to Wales, there are still plenty of ways to enjoy Welsh folk music from the comfort of your own home. Numerous radio stations broadcast Welsh folk music, and there are also many websites and online streaming services that offer a wide variety of Welsh folk music recordings.
Northern Ireland
There are many places to find traditional folk music in the UK, but Northern Ireland is definitely one of the best. Belfast is home to many great music venues, and you can also find traditional music in smaller towns and villages throughout the country. Here are a few of our favorite places to find traditional folk music in Northern Ireland:
-The Black Box: This Belfast venue is known for its great acoustic music, and you can often find traditional folk musicians playing here.
-The Duncairn Centre for Traditional Music: This is a great place to learn about traditional folk music in Northern Ireland, as well as to enjoy live performances.
-TheISONNI Centre for Traditional Music: This is another great place to learn about and enjoy traditional folk music in Northern Ireland.
-The Linen Hall Library: This Belfast library has an extensive collection of traditional Irish music, and you can often find live performances taking place here as well.
Conclusion
There are many ways to find traditional folk music in the UK. One way is to attend a folk music festival. There are many of these festivals taking place throughout the year, and they provide a great opportunity to see some of the best traditional folk musicians in action.
Another way to find traditional folk music is to visit one of the many folk clubs that exist in towns and cities across the country. These clubs often have live music nights, where you can sit back and enjoy some traditional tunes.
Finally, if you want to get really immersed in the world of traditional folk music, why not try attending a course at one of the many music schools that offer lessons in this genre? This is a great way to learn about the history and culture behind this type of music, as well as picking up some performance skills along the way.
