The Waterboys, The Lightning Seeds, Peter Doherty and Mercury Rev are among the latest additions set for Birmingham’s Moseley Folk and Arts Festival (Friday 29 to Sunday 31 August 2025).
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. Expect to hear such classics as The Whole Of The Moon alongside choice tracks from their much anticipated 16th album, Life, Death And Dennis Hopper, due for release on 4 April 2025.
The Waterboys
Hot on the heels of The Libertines’ 2024 chart-topping All Quiet On The Eastern Esplanade and sell-out tour, Peter Doherty (Friday) 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.
Peter Doherty
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.
Further acts added to Moseley Folk And Arts Festival’s bill include: acclaimed singer/songwriter Grace Petrie; multi-award winning Irish duo Ye Vagabonds; Kurdish/Syrian singer and bouzouki player Mohammad Syfkhan; the Grammy nominated Dug; Shropshire singer/songwriter Jessie Reid, whose soulful music has featured on Made In Chelsea and Love Island; Gaelic-speaking smallpipes master Brìghde Chaimbeul; Kentucky-based Americana-noir outfit Ryan Davis and The Roadhouse Band; rising songwriter Pem; Manchester’s The Deep Blue, who recently supported The Lottery Winners on tour; Liverpudlian Bobby West, recipient of the Janice Long Bursary 2024; Dublin punk/folksters The Deadlians; folk noir songstress Amelia Coburn; twanging Brum act Horse Feathers; disabled non-binary artist Maddie Morris; harpist Cerys Hafana; and Moseley Folk regulars Cut A Shine.
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.”
Lightening Seeds
Moseley Folk and Arts Festival runs from Friday 29 to Sunday 31 August 2025. 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.
Moseley Folk and Arts Festival -Friday 29 to Sunday 31 August 2025
Moseley Park and Pool, 93b Alcester Road, Birmingham B13 8DD
Tickets/ information: moseleyfolk.co.uk
Tier 1 – SOLD OUT.
Tier 2 – SOLD OUT.
Tier 3 – Adult Weekend £153; U18 Weekend £65 (12-17 year-olds); Family Weekend £328 (2x Adults & 2x U18s); Adult Day £57; U18 Day £32; U12 Free.
Final Tier – Adult Weekend £169; Family £360; Adult Day £64. U12 Free. + booking fees.
Payment Plans and Group tickets also available.
Day splits as follows:
Friday 29 August 2025 –
The Waterboys
Peter Doherty
The Lightning Seeds
Brògeal
The Deadlians
Brìghde Chaimbeul
Maddie Morris • The Deep Blue
Saturday 30 August 2025 –
Father John Misty
BC Camplight
This Is The Kit
Ryan Davis & The Roadhouse Band
Ye Vagabonds
Bobby West
PEM • Dug • Horse Feathers • Jessie Reid
Sunday 31 August 2025 –
Doves
Mercury Red
Fisherman’s Friends
Lisa O’Neill
Mohammad Syfkhan
Muireann Bradley
Cut A Shine
Independent Country • Amelia Coburn • Cerys Hafana
With more artists to be announced …
The Waterboys
Peter Doherty
The Lightning Seeds
Brògeal
The Deadlians
Brìghde Chaimbeul
Maddie Morris • The Deep Blue
Saturday 30 August 2025 –
Father John Misty
BC Camplight
This Is The Kit
Ryan Davis & The Roadhouse Band
Ye Vagabonds
Bobby West
PEM • Dug • Horse Feathers • Jessie Reid
Sunday 31 August 2025 –
Doves
Mercury Red
Fisherman’s Friends
Lisa O’Neill
Mohammad Syfkhan
Muireann Bradley
Cut A Shine
Independent Country • Amelia Coburn • Cerys Hafana
With more artists to be announced …
For further information please visit : moseleyfolk.co.uk
