Final Line-up confirmed for family friendly music festival, promising a day of back-to-back sublime music!
The Folk by the Oak’s Acorn Stage line-up was completed today with the announcement of The Often Herd, a band that transcends the traditional boundaries of bluegrass music, and singer-songwriter Flo Perlin, a storyteller with a sublime and emotive voice. These announcements mean the full festival bill for 2023 is confirmed, and it promises a truly exceptional day of live music!
Already announced to headline the festival’s Acorn Stage is Cut Capers, a band known for their energetic live performances and infectious sound that has won them a cult following on the British festival scene and make them a perfect fit for closing Folk by the Oak’s second stage.
Also on the Acorn Stage line-up are the captivating and velvet-voiced Kim Carnie, award-winning singer and multi-instrumentalist Nick Hart and The Wilderness Yet, a new trio combines the acclaimed talents of folk singer Rosie Hodgson, traditional fiddler Rowan Piggott, and guitarist-flautist Philippe Barnes. As has become a Folk by the Oak tradition, the festival has given the opening Acorn Stage slot to the London Youth Folk Ensemble, offering an opportunity for talented young musicians to experience the joy and excitement of a festival performance.
Cut CapersAs a one-day festival with 2 stages, both situated in their compact and leafy arena, festival goers are able to enjoy a whole day of back-to-back sublime music at Folk by the Oak. The festival organisers are renowned for bringing together a ‘line-up of headliners’ to their Main Stage and they began their 2023 line-up announcements in storming style, with headliners The Waterboys announced to perform for the first time. Led by the dynamic and brilliant Scottish guitarist/vocalist Mike Scott, The Waterboys has been a source of musical joy to a legion of die-hard fans since the release of their self-titled album in 1983. On announcing this iconic band Festival Director Adam Slough said: “We always strive to bring an incredible live performance to close our Main Stage, and few bands have as great a live reputation as The Waterboys, so we’re thrilled that they are headlining Folk by the Oak 2023.”
The Waterboys
Also making his first appearance at the one-day festival is Mercury Prize nominee Nick Mulvey. With an abundance of genres at his fingertips, Mulvey has created a sound that is both striking and unique, intertwining influences of great musicians such as Nick Drake, Joni Mitchell and Tom Waits with a variety of African and Afro-Hispanic styles. “We are really excited to be completing our Main Stage line-up by announcing Nick Mulvey and are expecting a blissful and beguiling performance in our beautiful tree-lined arena!” says Adam.
Another beguiling act on the festival’s Main Stage is the remarkable This is the Kit. The Ivor Novello nominated musical project of the hugely gifted Kate Stables has a reputation for live performances as enthralling as their innovative song writing, as anyone who saw them perform at Folk by the Oak 2017will no doubt agree.
Two more acts to make their debut at the festival are Sona Jobarteh and The Longest Johns. Sona is Africa’s first female griot kora virtuoso and an exceptional composer and this promises to be a standout afternoon set. The Longest Johns exuberant live shows are layered with riveting story-telling and captivating harmonies which have quickly made them a ‘must-see’ act on the UK festival circuit, their repertoire encompassing both the legendary folk songs that fuel the band’s passion for the genre, alongside thrilling original offerings.
Returning to open the festival’s main stage are three hugely talented British folk musicians in the guise of Lady Maisery. “Since they last joined us in 2015 we have closely followed the artistic endeavours of this exceptional trio” says Adam, “and having recently enjoyed a live performance, featuring material from their new album Tender, we were in no doubt that it was time to invite this hugely talented band back to our festival. A simply beautiful way to open our Main Stage!”
Folk by the Oak 2023 Line-up
Main Stage:
The Waterboys | Nick Mulvey | This is the Kit | Sona Jobarteh | The Longest Johns | Lady Maisery
Acorn Stage:
Cut Capers | The Often Herd | Kim Carnie | Nick Hart Wilderness Yet | Flo Perlin | The London Youth Folk Ensemble
TICKETS: From £42.50. Children £21 (ages 4 and under are free).
Family and group offers are available.
50p from every ticket sold is donated to their charity partner Willow
Date: Sunday 16 July 2023
Venue: Hatfield House, Hatfield, Hertfordshire, AL9 5NQ
Timings: Doors open 12.00 noon, finishes approx 10.30pm.
For further information please visit: www.folkbytheoak.com
