Moseley Folk and Arts Festival is an independent music festival which takes place annually in Birmingham.
First held in 2006 as a two-day event (as Moseley Folk Festival), it later expanded to three days.
The festival's core programming is a "mix of traditional, contemporary and experimental folk and acoustic music”,Anon, "Moseley Folk Festival 2018" BirminghamLive, UK, 2018, accessed 27 February 2024. along with other genres, such as folk-rock and indieShehnaz Khan, "Moseley Folk festival line-up to include the Levellers" BBC News West Midlands, UK, 7 February 2024. while its Arts strand spans comedy, spoken word and family-friendly activities.Oprah Flash, "Three-day folk and arts festival returns to city" BBC News West Midlands, UK, 30 August 2024.Anon, "Mark Steel and Zoe Lyons announced for Moseley Folk" What's On, UK, 10 April 2024.
The festival utilises Moseley Park's "natural amphitheatre" with its Main Stage set in front of a small lake.Anon, "PHOTOS: Johnny Marr, Jimi Goodwin and more at Moseley Folk Festival" Irish Post, IE, 3 September 2014.
History
The first Moseley Folk Festival took place in 2006 in Moseley Park, in the suburb of Moseley, Birmingham. The site that had previously hosted outdoor gypsy jazz event, L'Esprit Manouche.Anon, "Moseley festival gathers folk for the people" Business Live, UK, 2006 (updated 8 Aug 2013), accessed 27 February 2024.
Running over two days (Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 September 2006), the inaugural line-up featured a mix of folk, and folk-adjacent, artists including The Incredible String Band (with their 'final gig'),Anon, "Park festival has something for all" BirminghamLive, UK, 2006 (updated 23 October 2012), accessed 27 February 2024. Seth Lakeman, Jacqui McShee's Pentangle, Tunng, Hayseed Dixie, John Renbourn and Nick Harper, plus a number of artists from Birmingham and the West Midlands (e.g. Scott Matthews,Faye Claridge, "Scott Matthews - Faye Claridge talks to Scott Matthews at the Moseley Folk Festival..." BBC Black Country: Music, UK, 4 September 2006, accessed 3 February 2026. Steve Gibbons, The Destroyers etc.).Sam and Lizzie, "Moseley Folk Festival 2006" Folk This, UK, accessed 3 February 2026.
The festival was deemed a success, with more than one thousand attending.Jo Ind, "Moseley Folk Festival carving out a niche" Business Live, August 2008, updated 31 May 2019, accessed 4 February 2026. As a result, a second two-day event returned the following year, with over 40 acts appearing across three stages - amongst them Fairport Convention, Kate Rusby, Nizlopi, Rory McLeod and John Power. The festival also included an international knitting convention and a live carrom championship. Anon,"Moseley Folk Festival - Packed with music and entertainment come to the Moseley Folk Festival on 1st and 2nd September 2007." BBC Birmingham, UK, 9 August 2007, accessed 27 February 2024.
By the third edition, Moseley Folk Festival had expanded to three days (Friday 29 to Sunday 31 August 2008), with headliners Morcheeba, José González, The Bees, Seth Lakeman, Scott Matthews, Waterson:Carthy and Rachel Unthank & The Winterset (aka The Unthanks).Anon, "Park fun line-up." BirminghamLive, UK, 22 August 2008, updated 23 October 2012, accessed 27 February 2024.
On the Saturday, veteran Birmingham folk musician Ian Campbell was joined on stage by son Duncan Campbell of UB40 for his final live performance, with organisers stating the event had been the most successful to date, with then capacity crowds of 2,000 per day.Anon, "Organisers say Moseley Folk Festival best yet." BirminghamLive, UK, September 2008, updated 23 October 2012, accessed 27 February 2024.
There have been further notable appearances in the festival's history. These include The Polyphonic Spree joining The Monkees on stage for a rendition of "The Porpoise Song (Theme From Head)" in 2015,Tony Gillam, "The Monkees & The Polyphonic Spree – The Moseley Folk Festival" Shindig, UK, September 2015, retrieved 11 February 2026.Enda Mullen, "Review: Moseley Folk Festival Day Three - the most memorable moment in the festival's history." BirminghamLive, UK, 7 September 2015, accessed 27 February 2024. and 2019's festival, when US singer-songwriter Don McLean was introduced by near-namesake, Birmingham comedian Don Maclean.Anon, "FESTIVAL REVIEW: Moseley Folk and Arts Festival (Sunday only), Birmingham. Sunday 1st September 2019" Three Chords and The Truth, UK, 3 September 2019. In 2023, headliners Wilco's encore saw the band unexpectedly reunite with Billy Bragg for "California Stars",Anon, "Billy Bragg and Wilco reunite at Moseley Folk & Arts." Birmingham What's On, UK, 4 September 2023. Anon, "Moseley Folk ends on a high / Wilco & Billy Bragg reunite." Grapevine Birmingham, UK, 6 September 2023. and in 2014, Johnny Marr was joined on stage by Billy Duffy of The Cult for "I Fought The Law"Anon, "PHOTOS: Johnny Marr, Jimi Goodwin and more at Moseley Folk Festival" Irish Post, IE, 3 September 2014. and The Smiths' "How Soon Is Now?"Mike Warburton, "A Brief History of Moseley Folk Festival" Skiddle, UK, 6 August 2015.Various, "Johnny Marr Setlist at Moseley Park, Birmingham, England, 29 August 2014" setlist.fm, accessed 4 February 2026..
In 2022, the festival paid tribute to longstanding festival compere Janice Long with the launch of a bursary; Janice had been a supporter of the event from the outset, acting as MC at the first event.Dave Woodhall, "Folking around" The Birmingham Press, UK, 5 September 2022.Editor, "Janice Long bursary scheme is announced" Folking.com, UK, 29 June 2022.Anon, "An aspiring musician has won a prestigious award set up in memory of a veteran radio DJ" Express and Star, UK, 4 November 2022. The festival's Second Stage was also renamed The Janice Long Stage in her honour.Editor, "Janice Long bursary scheme now open for applications" Birmingham What's On, UK, 19 July 2023.
Reflecting the expansion of the festival's programming to include comedy, spoken word and talks, the festival changed its name from Moseley Folk Festival to Moseley Folk and Arts Festival in 2019.Anon, "FESTIVAL REVIEW: Moseley Folk and Arts Festival (Sunday only), Birmingham. Sunday 1st September 2019" Three Chords and The Truth, UK, 3 September 2019.Peter, "Moseley Folk & Arts Festival (3-5/9/2021)" Brum Radio, UK, 9 September 2021. Notable non-music guests who have appeared at the festival have included comedian Joe Lycett, artist/satirist Cold War SteveMark Whitfield, "Festival Review: Moseley Folk & Arts, 3rd-5th September 2021" Three Chords and The Truth, UK, 14 September 2021.Enda Mullen, "A big weekend of music and more on the cards at Moseley Folk and Arts Festival" Coventry Telegraph, UK, 1 September 2021., poet John Cooper ClarkeSimon Godley, "NEWS: Moseley Folk and Arts Festival announces full line-up for 2022" God Is In The TV, UK, 17 March 2022. and historian Carl Chinn.Dave Woodhall, "Folking around" The Birmingham Press, UK, 5 September 2022.
Over the years, the festival has partnered with numerous regional arts organisations, with Birmingham Comedy Festival hosting stand-up comedy appearances and the Black Country Living Museum offering drop-in workshops.Frankie Rhodes, "Preview: Moseley Folk and Arts Festival" Redbrick, UK, 28 August 2022. Birmingham Folk and Kitchen Garden Cafe have also previously partnered with the festival.Tradfolk Staff, "A Folkie’s Guide to Birmingham" Tradfolk, UK, 16 April 2024.
Although categorised as a boutiqueJo Ind, "Moseley Folk Festival carving out a niche" Business Live, August 2008, updated 31 May 2019, accessed 4 February 2026. or smaller festival, Moseley Folk's capacity has increased with 6,000 attendees per day reported in 2018.Patrycja Rozbicka, Gemma Bird, & Amanda Beattie, "A Festival Of Human Crisis - 1. View From A Distance" Riffs (Vol 3 issue 2), 2019.
2020's festival line-up was announcedZyllah Moranne-Brown, "Moseley Folk and Arts Festival announce this years artists" Black Country Radio, UK, 3 March 2020. prior to being postponed due to pandemic restrictions. However, many of the acts were rebooked for the following year.
As a result of the lost year, Moseley Folk marked their 20th anniversary edition with the 2026 festival.Charlie Case, "The Dead South, Johnny Flynn & Joshua Burnside The First Acts Named For Moseley Folk & Arts Festival’s 20th Anniversary" Secret Birmingham, UK, 10 December 2025.
Awards
Moseley Folk and Arts Festival picked up Silver for Tourism Event/Festival of the Year in the West Midlands Tourism Awards 2024.Matthew Panter, "Stars of tourism in West Midlands are honoured" Express and Star, UK, 22 March 2024. The same year, the festival was also long-listed for Best Small Festival, Best Metropolitan Festival and Best Family Festival in the UK Festival Awards.Skiddle Staff, "Vote for your favourite festival in the UK Festival Awards 2024!" Skiddle, UK, 3 October 2024.
The annual event won Best Midlands Music Festival and was Runner up in the Best Family-Friendly/ Community Festival category in the What's On Readers' Awards 2016.Anon, "What's On Readers' Awards 2016" What's On Magazine, May 2016.
Headliners
Moseley Folk and Arts Festival has run annually since 2006, with the exception of 2020, when the festival was postponed due to COVID restrictions. Headliners and key artistsAnon, "Moseley Folk Festival" eFestivals, UK, accessed 3 February 2026. include:
2006 – Hayseed Dixie, The Incredible String Band, Jacqui McShee's Pentange, Seth Lakeman 2007 - Fairport Convention, Kate Rusby, Davey Graham, Tunng 2008 - Morcheeba, Jose Gonzalez, The Bees, Seth Lakeman 2009 - Saint Etienne, Beth Orton, Jethro Tull, Cara Dillon, Bert Jansch 2010 - Donovan, Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain, Divine Comedy, Turin Brakes 2011 - Tinariwen, Badly Drawn Boy, Billy Bragg, Gruff Rhys, VillagersAnon, "Sixth Moseley Folk Festival held in Birmingham" BBC News West Midlands, UK, 2 September 2011. 2012 - Echo and the Bunnymen, Roy Harper, Steeleye Span, Guillemots 2013 - The Dublin Legends, Ocean Colour Scene, British Sea Power, Kate Rusby 2014 - Johnny Marr, The Waterboys, Richard Thompson, Thurston Moore, Lau, Jimi Goodwin 2015 - The Monkees, Spiritualized, Anna Calvi, Blossoms, Idlewild, Gaz Coombes 2016 - Levellers, The Coral, The Proclaimers, The Jayhawks, Billy Bragg, Oysterband 2017 - Laura Marling, Amy Macdonald, Jose Gonzalez, Seth Lakeman, Fairport Convention, Kate Rusby 2018 - Levellers, Nick Mulvey, Teenage Fanclub, Show of Hands, This Is the Kit, Steve Harley and Cockney Rebel 2019 - Don McLean, Jake Bugg, Public Service Broadcasting, The Zutons, Richard Thompson, Edwyn Collins 2020 - Postponed 2021 - The Waterboys, Frank Turner, Richard Hawley, Gruff Rhys, The Wonder StuffAlison Brinkworth, "Top Events And Attractions In And Around Birmingham This Summer" Style Birmingham, UK, 21 June 2021. 2022 - Supergrass, Seasick Steve, Jethro Tull, The Coral, Kurt Vile and The Violators, MidlakeEnda Mullen, "Supergrass, Seasick Steve and Jethro Tull among eclectic mix of acts at Moseley Folk and Arts Festival" Coventry Telegraph, UK, 6 August 2022. 2023 - Wilco, Billy Bragg (replacing The Proclaimers), Squeeze, Graham NashAsmita Sarkar, "Moseley Folk and Arts Festival: everything you need to know including tickets, dates & more" BirminghamWorld, UK, 30 August 2023. 2024 - Belle and Sebastian, Levellers, Dexys, Flogging Molly, CMATDavid Vincent, "Online Exclusive – Moseley Folk Festival Review" Classic Pop, UK, 9 September 2024. 2025 - Father John Misty, The Waterboys, Doves, The Lightning Seeds, Peter DohertyAnon, "Moseley Folk: See the whole of the moon" iChooseBirmingham, UK, 26 February 2025.