With Lisa O’Neill and Brògeal also added to the bill, they’ll be joining the previously announced Father John Misty, Doves, BC Camplight, Fisherman’s Friends and This Is The Kit.

From the early ‘big music’ and the roots-inspired Fisherman’s Blues eras, to the genre-fluid records of the last decade, Mike Scott’s The Waterboys (Friday headliner) have evolved through countless line-ups, winning a fearsome live reputation along the way.

Hot on the heels of The Libertines’ 2024 chart-topping All Quiet On The Eastern Esplanade and sell-out tour, Peter Doherty (Friday – pictureed) returns to his solo career with his fifth solo album, and first in nine years, Felt Better Alive. Out in May, it’s a collection of poetic vignettes – acoustic and orchestral, indie-folk and country, poignant and outright comic.

Ian Broudie’s The Lightning Seeds (Friday) made an instant impact with debut single Pure in 1989. The band went on to amass over a dozen hit singles including Perfect, The Life of Riley and (of course) enduring footy anthem Three Lions. The band recently celebrated their 35th anniversary with a new compilation album, Tomorrow’s Here Today, and tour.

Since forming in 1989 in Buffalo, New York, Mercury Rev (Sunday) have continued to evolve, borrowing from countless genres. Their 1998 breakthrough, Deserter’s Songs, has been a firm fixture of countless respected Best Of… lists, while their ninth album, 2024’s Born Horses, wowed critics with a glistening and perfectly balanced mix of psych, jazz, folk, baroque and ambient stylings.

Falkirk-based five piece, Brògeal (Friday), came together over their love of Scottish and Irish folk music, punk and garage rock. Adding banjo and mandolin to electric guitars to find their own unique voice, the last year has seen the band emerge as one of the best live acts in the UK.

Lisa O’Neill (Sunday) is a five time BBC Folk Award nominee. Her Heard A Long Gone Song was named The Guardian’s 2019 Folk Album of the Year, while 2023’s All Of This Is Chance was BBC 6 Music Gideon Coe’s Album Of The Year.

With more artists still to be revealed, John Fell, Moseley Folk and Arts Festival’s Manager, said: “We’re exceptionally pleased to announce Mike Scott’s incredible The Waterboys as Friday night’s headliners, closing an opening day that also includes the amazing The Lightning Seeds, 2024 breakout band Brògeal, and Peter Doherty – one of the most gifted songwriters of his generation.

“Meanwhile, the addition of cosmic adventurers Mercury Rev, Mohammad Syfkhan and Lisa O’Neill on Sunday, alongside Doves and shanty singers Fisherman’s Friends, gives us one of the most musically diverse closing nights in the festival’s long 20 year history.”

Moseley Folk and Arts Festival runs from Friday 29th-Sunday 31st August. Situated in a lush hidden park not far from Birmingham city centre, it’s been a regular fixture on the UK’s festival calendar since 2005, attracting an eclectic line-up of leading British folk artists, Americana stars, UK independent artists, international singer-songwriters, and more.