Manchester Folk Festival is returning to the Northern Quarter this week, headlined by the Breath and Get Cape Wear Cape Fly.
The events will run from 19 to 21 October at a range of venues including award-winning Band on the Wall and jazz club Matt and Phred’s.
English Folk Expo run the three-day festival and their CEO, Tom Besford, said: “We are excited by the incredible range of programme possibilities open to us in the Northern Quarter’s many iconic venues.”
The organisation has dedicated the last few years to boosting the involvement and interest in English folk music, to which its Manchester project is a testament.
Manchester Folk Festival was created in 2017, built upon Bury’s Homegrown festival, and annually welcomes over 2,500 music lovers who just can’t stay away from the eclectic and lively range of events EFEx has to offer.
Development of contemporary folk music began in the mid-20th century, characterised by banjos, fiddles and harmonicas that give even the most modern pieces a traditional feel.
This year, the festival will be headlined by the Breath and Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly, some of the leading folk artists in the country.
Sam Duckworth, otherwise known as Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly, made waves in the folk industry with his 2006 debut album, Chronicles of a Bohemian Teenager, and played the BBC Music Introducing stage at Glastonbury in 2008.
The Breath are an Irish duo made up of Ríoghnach Connolly and Stuart McCallum and released their brand-new album, Land of my other last week.
Fans have been loving the poetic stream of consciousness, and emotional deep cuts from the record which are the pair’s true speciality.
The host of BBC Radio 2’s Folk Show, Mark Radcliffe, said: “Once again an amazing line-up has been put together for what is arguably the UK’s leading urban folk festival.”
For a high energy performance of folk-rock fusion, get yourself down to Band on the Wall on the 21st to watch The Leylines and Blackbeard’s Tea Party from 7:30.
Although you can tailor your experience by buying separate tickets, a wristband for full access is also available at £117 for all three days.
The festival offers some free events too so there are no excuses not to check out their Band on the Wall bar stage, with artists such as the Dove and the Dragon taking the stage.
Tickets are available here.
Featured image credit: Mike Ainscoe
