Storming headline sets from Super Furry Animals, Kingfishr and The Dead South amongst others.
Birmingham’s much-loved Moseley Folk and Arts Festival celebrated its 20th anniversary this weekend (Friday 4th to Sunday 6th September) with a string of electric and eclectic performances.
Since debuting in 2006, Moseley Folk Festival has welcomed an impressive variety of artists to its stages, and this year was no exception, with a colourful line-up of musicians, poets, writers and entertainers.
The festival got off to a hugely successful start on Friday with Kingfishr playing their first ever UK festival headline set to rapturous applause, while Brum/Walsall duo Big Special’s powerful performance confirmed their reputation as one of the UK’s best live acts.
Other opening day highlights included Birmingham’s own Katherine Priddy, whose third album These Frightening Machines continues to captivate, and ever-passionate singer-songwriter Damien Dempsey.
Day two boasted enthralling sets from New Yorker Hudson Freeman, Fran Lusty (recipient of the Hello You! Janice Long Emerging Artist Award 2026), siblings Johnny and Lillie Flynn, Australia’s Folk Bitch Trio and Ireland’s The Wran, before closing with the reunited Super Furry Animals – whose The Man Don’t Give A F*** had the entire audience singing in unison.
With temperatures creeping into the mid-20s on the final day, Blur’s Dave Rowntree discussed his career with BBC 6Music’s Chris Hawkins, the festival’s compere; Barbara Nice led the now traditional procession (with its wriggling worm song and giant corn dolly); Miles Hunt and The Wonder Stuff launched their own 40th anniversary celebrations with a hit-filled set; punk/folk singer-songwriter Frank Turner was joined by mandolin player Matt Nasir for a rare duo appearance; and faultlessly attired Saskatchewan quartet The Dead South closed the festival with a rousing acoustic set.
Several acts appearing across the three days also graced the festival’s first edition, including folk/ pop/ psych artist Jane Weaver (who was delighted by her appearance on the graffiti wall), 1960s folk fusion pioneers Jacqui McShee’s Pentangle, and the ever adventurous Destroyers, whose sound skilfully blended klezmer, Balkan and British folk.
Comedy also proved a big draw with packed audiences for David O’Doherty, Phil Nicol and Lindsey Santoro, and Mark Watson and Hasan Al-Habib.
Meanwhile, Brighton’s Folklore ventured to the festival to record over 15 secret sessions with key artists, among them The Wran, Family Stereo and Joshua Burnside – with performances set for online release over the coming weeks.
Moseley Folk Festival’s John Fell said: “Moseley Folk is always something special, but this year was even more so given it’s our 20th anniversary – it was an incredible way to celebrate two decades of what is one of the UK festival scene’s best kept secrets.
“There were so many highlights this year, but seeing Super Furry Animals in yeti costumes playing to a sell-out crowd on Saturday night ranks as one of the best performances in Moseley Folk’s long history.
“We’re constantly surprised by the calibre of artists, both emerging and established, who we’re able to attract,” John continued, “and for that we must thank our audience, whose ongoing love for the festival is a constant inspiration.”
Joe Hicklin, one half of local heroes Big Special, said: “I absolutely love this festival, it’s such a beautiful pocket of Birmingham. It’s a ‘folk’ festival but has such an array of different things going on – there’s comedy, us, Kingfisher …
“I’ve actually played the festival before, seven years ago, to about 20 people on the second stage,” Joe added, recalling his 2019 Moseley Folk debut. “So it’s lovely to come full circle. We’ve played to bigger crowds, but this is our biggest local gig.”
Comedian Phil Nicol, who visited on Saturday to a packed audience, also said: “Such a fun day. What a brilliant crowd to play for.”
Dates have also been announced for the 21st edition of the festival, which will return to the evergreen Moseley Park, Moseley, Birmingham, from Friday 3rd to Sunday 5th September 2027. Limited Tier One tickets are on sale now for attendees/subscribers, and on general sale from Friday 11th September. For more information, see: moseleyfolk.co.uk.
