Super Furry Animals, Kingfishr + more ensure Brum's Moseley Folk Festival celebrates landmark 20th anniversary in style

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 3 to Sunday 5 September 2027. Limited Tier One tickets are on sale now for attendees/ subscribers, and on general sale from Friday 11 September 2026. For more information, see: moseleyfolk.co.uk LISTINGS Friday 3 to Sunday 5 September 2027 Moseley Folk and Arts Festival Moseley Park and Pool, 93b Alcester Road, Birmingham B13 8DD moseleyfolk.co.uk • 2027 tickets are available exclusively to previous ticket-holders and Moseley Folk and Arts Festival newsletter subscribers from 10am Monday 7 September 2026 and on General Sale from 10am Friday 11 September 2026. Sign-up now to access Tier One tickets. Social media: facebook.com/moseleyfolkfestival instagram.com/moseleyfolkfestival x.com/moseleyfolk youtube.com/@moseleyfolkfestival Hashtag #moseleyfolk ABOUT MOSELEY FOLK & ARTS FESTIVAL Moseley Folk and Arts Festival is an annual family-friendly immersive event, exploring the very best of contemporary Folk, Arts and Crafts, and more, which is held in Moseley Park – a stunning 11-acre woodland glade in the heart of Moseley Village. Although the site is just two miles from the centre of Birmingham, it's a world away from city life, and the perfect setting for a festival – with sloping grounds, creating a natural amphitheatre in front of a stunning lake. Established in 2006, each year Moseley Folk and Arts Festival brings incredible artists, workshops, arts, crafts, and a selection of Birmingham's most loved street food and drinks vendors to Moseley, for one epic weekend. Previous headliners have included Father John Misty, Dexys, Belle and Sebastian, Wilco, Laura Marling, Don Mclean, The Waterboys, The Monkees, The Jayhawks, Richard Thompson and Supergrass. 2026 saw the festival mark its 20th anniversary with a run of stand-alone concerts alongside the September festival which was headlined by Super Furry Animals, Kingfishr and The Dead South.