Folk on Foot

Matthew Bannister

Boost

Boost

“Modest people, playing gorgeous music, speaking articulately about areas they love. Fabulously calming” – one listener’s description of this multi-award-winning podcast in which Matthew Bannister goes walking with top folk musicians in the landscapes that have inspired them. “A restorative breathing space in sound” – The Telegraph. “Immaculately produced” – The Times Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Official Folk Albums Chart Show—8th April 2025

Matthew's guests on this month’s show are Lisa Knapp and Gerry Diver talking about their innovative and inspiring album Hinterland. There’s also music from The Wellermen, Polly Paulusma, Chris Brain, Reg Meuross, Jenn Butterworth, Clara Mann, Joshua Burnside, Jim Ghedi, The Levellers Collective, Thea Gilmore and Constant Follower. Lucy Shields previews the new album releases and has the gig news.---We rely on support from our listeners to keep this show on the road. If you like what we do please

Apr 8, • 1:19:31

Folk on Foot Classic: Richard Thompson in Muswell Hill (and other parts of London)

Enjoy this classic episode from December 2020The legendary guitarist and songwriter Richard Thompson takes Matthew Bannister for a walk around the areas of London where he grew up, began playing the guitar, formed Fairport Convention (inventing English folk rock) and joined the vibrant music scene of the 1960s. On the steps of his old school in Highgate Richard sings “Man With Money” by the Everly Brothers. In Highgate Woods he sings his classic lament for lost love and the travelling life: “Bee

Mar 30, • 1:08:09

Bonus Episode: Ashley Hutchings in conversation at Cecil Sharp House

Bob Dylan described Ashley Hutchings as “The Godfather of English Folk Rock -he gave us a genre we couldn’t refuse”. Bass player Ashley was behind the formation of three great bands: Fairport Convention, Steeleye Span and The Albion Band. As he celebrates his 80th birthday, Ashley joins Matthew Bannister on stage at Cecil Sharp House to look back on his life. He recalls the heady days of the 1960s, supporting Pink Floyd, being joined on stage by Jimi Hendrix, seeing Paul Simon play in a Soho fol

Mar 24, • 51:00

Cole Stacey on Dartmoor

Cole Stacey’s album “Postcards from Lost Places” was recorded in atmospheric locations around Dartmoor. In this episode Cole retraces his steps - taking us back to some of those places and performing the songs inspired by them. We hear about his journey into folk music, his partnership with Joseph O’Keefe in India Electric Co - and his experiences of touring with Midge Ure. But most of all we enjoy a spectacular cold and sunny day on Dartmoor.---We rely on support from our listeners to keep this

Mar 14, • 50:14

Official Folk Albums Chart Show—4th March 2025

On this month’s show, Matthew is joined by Mary Chapin Carpenter, Julie Fowlis and Karine Polwart to talk about their beautiful new album “Looking for the Thread”. There’s also music from Richard Dawson, Seth Lakeman, Anna B Savage, Cole Stacey, Cynefin, Altan and Rhona Macfarlane. Lucy Shields has the album preview and gig news.---We rely on support from our listeners to keep this show on the road. If you like what we do please either...Become a member and get great rewards: patreon.com/folkonf

Mar 4, • 1:00:38

Folk on Foot Classic: The Unthanks on the Northumberland Coast

Every winter, Rachael and Becky Unthank and their extended families invite their fans to join them for singing weekends in their native Northumberland. Some fifty people stay together at a bunkhouse where pianist/producer Adrian McNally does the cooking, and Rachel and Becky lead singing workshops. The weekend includes a session in the atmospheric local pub, where Matthew joins the group for a singalong. Then Rachel takes him for a walk on her favourite beach at Low Newton By The Sea, where she

Feb 24, • 50:59

'Stolen from God' in Bristol with Reg Meuross, Cohen Braithwaite-Kilcoyne and Modou Ndiaye

The history of the transatlantic slave trade and its legacy in Bristol are at the heart of this episode. It features West Country singer Reg Meuross, concertina player Cohen Braithwaite-Kilcoyne and kora player Modou Ndaiye performing music from Reg’s powerful “Stolen from God” song cycle as we follow the route taken by the statue of the slave trader Edward Colston which was toppled from its plinth by Black Lives Matter protesters and thrown into the harbour. We also visit the Bristol Beacon (fo

Feb 14, • 1:01:55

Official Folk Albums Chart Show—4th February 2025

This month’s show features music from The Longest Johns, Ferocious Dog, Sophie Jamieson, Bridget Hayden and the Apparitions, Jasmine.4.T, Laura Marling, Nathan Evans and David Gray. Lucy Shields previews some forthcoming album releases and Matthew announces the next episode of Folk on Foot.---We rely on support from our listeners to keep this show on the road. If you like what we do please either...Become a member and get great rewards: patreon.com/folkonfootOr just buy us a coffee: ko-fi.com/fo

Feb 4, • 51:30

Folk on Foot Classic: Julie Fowlis on the Shores of Loch Ness

The Gaelic singer Julie Fowlis takes Matthew Bannister for a snowy walk on the dramatic shores of Loch Ness near her home in the Scottish Highlands. Accompanied by her husband Eamon Doorley, we hear Julie’s beautiful clear voice singing a song linked to the area and a love song that brought the couple together for the first time. As they head to the spectacular Foyers Falls, Julie explains that understanding the Gaelic language is the best way to form a true connection with the landscape.---We r

Jan 27, • 50:51

Bird in the Belly at the Tremula Festival on the South Downs Way

The Brighton based band Bird in the Belly take us for a walk on the South Downs Way during the Tremula Festival of Outdoor Podcasting. For the very first time, we’re joined by an audience of Folk on Foot fans. The band (Laura Ward, Adam Ronchetti Tom Pryor and Jinwoo) share a song about a day out in Brighton in 1813, a love song to a Welsh Ploughboy and music inspired by the nature writer Richard Jefferies' 1885 post apocalyptic novel “After London”. Then we head into a beautiful village church

Jan 17, • 46:17

Official Folk Albums Chart of the Year Show 2024

With new entries in December from Jackie Oates and John Spiers; Janice Burns and Jon Doran; Julie Fowlis, Éamon Doorley, Zoë Conway and John McIntyre and The Unthanks; then the countdown of the biggest selling folk albums of 2024, including music from Sam Lee, Martin Simpson, Cara Dillon, Richard Thompson, Linda Thompson, Nina Nesbitt, Grace Petrie and Katherine Priddy. But who will be number one?---We rely on support from our listeners to keep this show on the road. If you like what we do pleas

Jan 14, • 1:25:42

Folk on Foot Classic: The Sheffield Carols with Jon Boden, Bella Hardy and The Melrose Quartet

Enjoy this classic episode from December 2019In search of the festive spirit of Christmas – and bearing gifts - we travel to the Peak District and Sheffield to hear the area’s unique local carols. Along the way we collect music from Jon Boden, Bella Hardy, The Melrose Quartet and the singers of the villages of Dungworth and Hathersage. We hear how the traditional carols written and sung by working people were thrown out of the church – and had to find a new home in the village pubs. Put on your

Dec 23, 2024 • 55:49

A Shropshire Christmas with John Kirkpatrick

Ho Ho Ho! Enjoy traditional Christmas carols, midwinter Morris dancing, a peal of bells and a recipe for Christmas pudding set to music as we head for the Three Tuns pub in Bishop’s Castle with squeezebox maestro John Kirkpatrick MBE, the Castle Carollers and the Shropshire Bedlams. Along the way we’ll discover the story behind ancient winter customs like wassailing and find out why John is so passionate about the festive season.---We rely on support from our listeners to keep this show on the r

Dec 13, 2024 • 58:49

Official Folk Albums Chart Show—3rd December 2024

On this month’s show, Matthew is joined by Seth Lakeman and Kathryn Tickell who are both re-examining their past in new albums. Seth marks 20 years since his breakthrough album Kitty Jay by releasing a live version recorded at Dartmoor Prison, while Kathryn has been re-imagining her album On Kielder Side – recorded forty years ago when she was just 16. There’s also music from Laura Marling, Christy Moore, Fionn Regan, Grace Petrie and Kate Rusby.---We rely on support from our listeners to keep t

Dec 3, 2024 • 59:37

Folk on Foot Classic: Karine Polwart at Fala Moor

Enjoy this classic episode from August 2018Karine Polwart’s solo theatre piece “Wind Resistance” and album “A Pocket of Wind Resistance” were inspired by Fala Moor near her home in Midlothian just south of Edinburgh. She takes Matthew for a walk across the Moor which is a haven for wildlife. As she sings you can hear skylarks and curlews flying around her. Karine tells stories of the people who lived near the moor and the monastic hospital which stood nearby where pioneering herbal treatments we

Nov 25, 2024 • 53:47

Lunatraktors at the Bethlem Royal Hospital

Delve into the history of madness as we walk with the “broken folk” duo Lunatraktors in the 200 acre grounds of the Bethlem Royal Hospital in South London. Clair le Couteur and Carli Jefferson are fascinated by the story of the hospital which was founded in the 13th century by monks - and nicknamed “Bedlam”. They perform songs inspired by the place including a mash up of “Tom O’Bedlam” with “Mad Maudlin” and “Through Moorfields”. They also don their “hazard bear” costumes for s spot of improvise

Nov 15, 2024 • 1:12:37

Official Folk Albums Chart Show—5th November 2024

Jon Boden is Matthew’s guest on this month’s Official Folk Albums Chart Show, bringing an exclusive performance of one of the Parlour Ballads from his new album. There’s also music from Talisk, Mairearad Green and Rachel Newton, Henry Parker and David Ian Roberts, The Shovel Dance Collective, The Rheingans Sisters, Naima Bock and Nina Nesbitt.---We rely on support from our listeners to keep this show on the road. If you like what we do please either...Become a member and get great rewards: patre

Nov 5, 2024 • 1:00:06

Folk on Foot Classic: Chris Wood in Faversham

Enjoy this classic episode from August 2020The award winning singer, songwriter and guitarist Chris Wood has lived in Kent all his life. “If you keep moving around, how much can you trust your judgement?” he asks. “If you stop where you are, the world does eventually come to you.” Since the Brexit referendum and election of 2019, Chris has been in challenging mood. On this walk with his dog Dancer and Matthew Bannister, Chris performs his song “Take Back Control” and contrasts the commuters

Oct 28, 2024 • 58:45

Dan Whitehouse in Stourbridge

For four hundred years, Stourbridge in the West Midlands was at the heart of Britain’s glass making industry. The local landscape was dotted with distinctive brick built cones, or chimneys, where the glass was made. The local singer and songwriter Dan Whitehouse made an album called “Voices From The Cones” based on recordings of the memories of glass workers. In this extraordinary episode he takes us to a former glass works - now a college teaching craft skills to neurodivergent students - and s

Oct 10, 2024 • 54:56

Official Folk Albums Chart Show—1st October 2024

This month’s show features a beautiful live performance by Cara Dillon at the Grand Opera House in Belfast plus music from Gnoss, Hannah Sanders and Ben Savage, Gryphon, The Wandering Hearts, Martin Simpson and Skerryvore. Lucy Shields has all the gig and album release info and there’s news of a new episode of Folk on Foot featuring glass blowing.---We rely on support from our listeners to keep this show on the road. If you like what we do please either...Become a member and get great rewards: p

Oct 1, 2024 • 46:22

Folk on Foot Classic: Eliza Carthy (and Family) in Robin Hood's Bay

Enjoy this classic episode from August 2018Eliza Carthy inherited her love of English music from her famous folk singing parents, Martin Carthy and Norma Waterson. Norma had recently suffered a serious illness and Eliza moved back to the family home in the North Yorkshire fishing village of Robin Hood’s Bay to look after her. Eliza takes Matthew on a walk along the cliffs near her home, reflecting on her family heritage and then on to the farm where the whole extended family used to live when sh

Sep 22, 2024 • 53:56

Sarah Smout Along The River Wharfe to Fleet Moss

The cellist, singer and environmental campaigner Sarah Smout takes us for a beautiful summer walk along the River Wharfe in North Yorkshire. Along the way she explains how her love of the natural world inspires her music and stops to play, sing and read one of her poems. Then we head up to Fleet Moss where a five-year-long project has been restoring the badly damaged peat bog - which is vital for carbon capture. Jenny Sharman of the Yorkshire Peat Partnership joins us to tell the fascinating sto

Sep 12, 2024 • 55:44

Official Folk Albums Chart Show—3rd September 2024

Matthew’s guest on this month’s show is the wonderful Jenny Sturgeon talking about her epic 864km walk from the Scottish borders to Cape Wrath - and sharing the evocative sounds she recorded along the way. There’s also a live performance from The Breath filmed at Cornwall’s spectacular Minack Theatre, plus music from Kathryn Tickell and the Darkening, John Smith, Sam Carter, Katherine Priddy, Johnny Flynn and Robert Macfarlane, Tumbling Paddies and Richard Thompson.---We rely on support from our

Sep 3, 2024 • 58:20

Folk on Foot Classic: The Young'uns in Hartlepool

The Young’uns are three award winning troubadours from Teeside. Sean Cooney, David Eagle and Michael Hughes take Matthew Bannister on a walk round the historic headland of Hartlepool where Sean used to live in a shed in his parents’ back garden. Along the way they tell stories and sing songs inspired by the location, visiting the medieval Sandwell Gate, St Hilda’s Church and the Heugh Battery, site of the only First World War battle to take place on British soil. They end up in the Pot House pub

Aug 25, 2024 • 51:07

Ranagri at Ranagri

The Anglo-Irish band Ranagri take us for a walk on the farm that gave them their name. The family of guitarist and singer Dónal Rogers have worked this land in County Carlow since the 1600s. His Mum, Lena, still lives there and tells stories of growing up in the three room thatched farm house she shared with her mother and ten siblings. There was no electricity or running water and all cooking was on the open fire. Horses were used to pull the plough. Then Ranagri play the music inspired by her

Aug 15, 2024 • 1:02:30

Official Folk Albums Chart Show—6th August 2024

This month’s show features music from Rachel Sermanni, Naomi Bedford and Paul Simmonds, Sam Lee, Kinghfishr, Linda Thompson and Fink. Lucy Shields has all the latest festival, gig and album news.---We rely on support from our listeners to keep this show on the road. If you like what we do please either...Become a member and get great rewards: patreon.com/folkonfootOr just buy us a coffee: ko-fi.com/folkonfootSign up for our newsletter at www.folkonfoot.comFollow us on Twitter/Facebook/Instagram:

Aug 6, 2024 • 40:22

Melissa Harrison & Laura Cannell in Suffolk

On a beautiful day in May the novelist, nature writer and podcaster Melissa Harrison and the composer and multi instrumentalist Laura Cannell take us for a walk in the glorious Suffolk countryside. Laura plays a recorder duet with a nightingale, Melissa reads from her acclaimed novel “All Among The Barley” - appropriately enough in a field of ripening barley - and we hunt for barn owl pellets “like dark Kinder Eggs” as Melissa has it. Then Laura takes out her fiddle and - using her distinctive “

Jul 11, 2024 • 59:02

Official Folk Albums Chart Show—2nd July 2024

Matthew’s guest on this month’s chart show is the great Richard Thompson. In a wide-ranging interview, he muses on his songwriting process, warns of the terrible consequences of a second Trump Presidency in the USA and warmly praises the next two generations of Thompson family talent. There’s also music from Richard’s ex-wife Linda and their son Teddy, plus Bernard Butler, Katherine Priddy, Lankum Live in London, Landless, Blair Dunlop and Bryn Terfel.---We rely on support from our listeners to

Jul 2, 2024 • 1:01:26

Frankie Archer in Consett (and other parts of County Durham)

Frankie Archer brings traditional folk tunes rushing into the 21st Century. The singer, fiddle player and electronics wizard made an acclaimed appearance on Later With Jools Holland, who described her music as “astonishing”. In this episode, Frankie takes Matthew for a walk in Consett and the surrounding countryside, pausing to set up her loop pedals and perform in the lee of an abandoned crucible, the engine shed of the world’s oldest railway and in front of a spectacular view across the fields

Jun 13, 2024 • 50:16

Official Folk Albums Chart Show—4th June 2024

This month’s show features music from Beth Gibbons, Ferocious Dog, Emily Barker, Kathryn Williams and Withered Hand, Blue Rose Code, Josienne Clarke and Good Habits. There’s also news of a new episode of Folk on Foot featuring Frankie Archer.---We rely on support from our listeners to keep this show on the road. If you like what we do please either...Become a member and get great rewards: patreon.com/folkonfootOr just buy us a coffee: ko-fi.com/folkonfootSign up for our newsletter at www.folkonf

Jun 4, 2024 • 49:06

Megson on Teesside

Our wettest episode ever features the wonderful duo Megson (Stu and Debs Hanna) walking, talking and playing along the River Tees between Stockton and Middlesborough. This is where Stu and Debs grew up, began making music and fell in love. Their powerful songs tell vivid stories about the industrial heritage of the area through the eyes of the people who live there. With instruments wrapped in bin bags and recording gear hidden under producer Natalie’s all-encompassing poncho, we head for the Te

May 16, 2024 • 52:03

Official Folk Albums Chart Show—7th May 2024

Matthew Bannister’s guest on this month’s Official Folk Albums Chart Show from Folk on Foot is the great Martin Simpson. He’ll be telling the fascinating stores behind some of the songs on his acclaimed album “Skydancers”. There’s a live performance from This Is The Kit filmed at the Minack Theatre in Cornwall, plus music from Daisy Rickman, India Electric Co., Phil Odgers and John Kettle and Dana Gavanski.---We rely on support from our listeners to keep this show on the road. If you like what w

May 7, 2024 • 1:02:34

Jackie Oates with John Spiers on the Thames Path at Wallingford

The singer and fiddle player Jackie Oates is joined by the squeezebox maestro John Spiers for a walk along the mighty River Thames in Oxfordshire. Between a song or two from the lace making industry, and a gorgeous “Lament To The Moon” Jackie talks about her passion for folk song and her recent training as a music therapist which took her into a hospice to help those nearing the end of their lives capture memories in song. She also recalls her folk-style wedding while John muses on the best way

Apr 18, 2024 • 59:01

Official Folk Albums Chart Show—9th April 2024

Matthew Bannister’s guests on this month’s Official Folk Albums Chart Show are Grace Petrie talking about the inspiration behind her album “Build Something Better” and Sam Lee on how his passion for the natural world has shaped “songdreaming”. There’s also music from Joe Solo, Serious Sam Barrett, Martin Carthy, Cara Dillon, Amelia Coburn and John Smith.---We rely on support from our listeners to keep this show on the road. If you like what we do please either...Become a member and get great rew

Apr 9, 2024 • 1:06:26

Bonus Episode: The Outdoors Fix with Matthew Bannister

A chance to hear one of our favourite podcasts: The Outdoors Fix, presented by hiker and journalist Liv Bolton and featuring an interview with Matthew Bannister. Liv’s aim is to inspire you to get outside and make the outdoors a bigger part of your life. An idea which – as you know – we’re very much in favour of.Normally the Outdoors Fix is recorded – well – outdoors. But that wasn’t possible during the Covid lockdowns. So, when Matthew was a guest in 2020, he connected with Liv online. If you’v

Mar 25, 2024 • 37:36

Malin Lewis on Eilean Shona

The trans pipe and fiddle player Malin Lewis grew up on a magical island off the West coast of Scotland. There were no roads or cars and their family were the only permanent residents. Home schooled till the age of seven, Malin had an idyllic childhood roaming the forests, building dens and splashing in the shallows on the white sand beaches. In this episode this rising star of the Scottish folk scene - with a hotly anticipated debut album about to be released - makes an emotional return to the

Mar 15, 2024 • 1:05:37

Official Folk Albums Chart Show—5th March 2024

This month’s Official Folk Albums Chart Show from Folk on Foot features an interview with Katherine Priddy who is celebrating the success of her second album “The Pendulum Swings”. There’s also music from The Breath, Rachel Sermanni, The Longest Johns, Tapir! and Sir Bryn Terfel. --- We rely on support from our listeners to keep this show on the road. If you like what we do please either... Become a patron and get great rewards: patreon.com/folkonfoot Or just buy us a coffee: ko-fi.com/folkonfoo

Mar 5, 2024 • 51:16

Bonus Episode: Joe Boyd and John Wood in conversation at Cecil Sharp House

Joe Boyd and John Wood were the producer and sound engineer behind some of the greatest folk rock albums of the 1960s and 70s. They worked with Pink Floyd on their first single Arnold Layne, with Fairport Convention on Unhalfbricking and Liege and Lief and with Nick Drake on Five Leaves Left, Bryter Later and Pink Moon. John produced John Martyn’s Bless The Weather and Solid Air while Joe worked with the Incredible String Band. In this conversation with Matthew Bannister on stage at the Indoor F

Feb 27, 2024 • 53:16

TRÚ on the Mountains of Mourne

Come with us to the glorious Mountains of Mourne in Northern Ireland to meet the band TRÚ. Taking their name from a mythological trio of poet-musicians from ancient Ulster, Zach Trouton, Dónal Kearney and Michael Mormecha combine Irish nationalist, Ulster-Scots and British-Ukrainian heritages, crossing boundaries which have often divided Northern Irish communities in the past. In this beautiful episode they are united in creating sweet close harmonies as they sing traditional songs against the b

Feb 16, 2024 • 50:28

Official Folk Albums Chart Show—6th February 2024

The Official Folk Albums Chart Show from Folk on Foot features guest appearances from Jon Cleave of the Fisherman’s Friends, reflecting on their extraordinary success and Ian A Anderson telling the story of the legendary Soho club Les Cousins which was at the heart of the folk and blues scene of the 1960s. There’s  music from John Renbourn, Hack Poets Guild, Show of Hands, OXN, Martyn Joseph and the Mary Wallopers. --- We rely on support from our listeners to keep this show on the road. If you l

Feb 6, 2024 • 1:05:25

Sandra Kerr (and Nancy Kerr) in Warkworth

The beloved baggy cloth cat Bagpuss is fifty years old in 2024. We celebrate his birthday by visiting Sandra Kerr at her home in the Northumberland village of Warkworth. Sandra co-wrote and arranged the music for the series and provided some of the voices. In her cosy music room she shows us her Bagpuss souvenirs, reflects on the show’s enduring appeal and sings one of the songs. Then, on a walk along the River Coquet, Sandra looks back to the folk revival of the 1960s, recalling working as a na

Jan 19, 2024 • 59:36

Official Folk Albums Chart of the Year Show 2023

In the Official Folk Albums Chart of the Year Show 2023, Matthew Bannister counts down the biggest selling and most streamed folk albums of the year. There are guest appearances by Sean Cooney of the Young’Uns, Kathryn Tickell, Shirley Collins and Johnny Flynn and Robert Macfarlane, plus exclusive performances from James Yorkston and Nina Persson, Angeline Morrison and Katherine Priddy. Matthew also features highlights of the December chart, including an interview with Jim Moray and music from S

Jan 9, 2024 • 1:25:29

The Plygain Carols with Gwilym Bowen Rhys, Owen Shiers and the singers of Mallwyd

This year’s seasonal episode takes us to the village of Mallwyd in mid Wales to join the ancient tradition of the plygain carols. On a dark, cold night, local people gather in the warm and welcoming St Tydecho’s Church to sing Welsh language carols which have been handed down through successive generations of their families. They’re joined by Gwilym Bowen Rhys who unearthed his carol in a second hand book shop and by Owen Shiers (Cynefin) whose singing group travels around several plygain servic

Dec 15, 2023 • 50:34

Official Folk Albums Chart Show—5th December 2023

Johnny Flynn and Robert Macfarlane are Matthew Bannister’s guests on this month’s Official Folk Albums Chart Show from Folk on Foot. They talk about the inspiration behind their new album “The Moon Also Rises” in a conversation that ranges across ancient burial chambers, a love song for Cosmo Sheldrake’s wedding, composing on the South Downs and wassailing. There’s also music from Thea Gilmore, Catrin Finch and Aoife Ni Bhriain, Bryony Griffith and Alice Jones, Show of Hands and Kerry Andrew/You

Dec 5, 2023 • 1:05:34

Katie Spencer at Spurn Point

Come to “The Edge of the Land” with the wonderful singer, songwriter and guitarist Katie Spencer. She was born and brought up in East Yorkshire. In this episode she takes us to one of her favourite places: Spurn Point, a narrow spit of land that stretches three miles out into the sea. As we head for the lighthouse at the end, she sings some of her gorgeous songs on the beach and talks about her musical inspiration, but will we be cut off by the tide?---We rely entirely on support from our listen

Nov 17, 2023 • 45:51

Official Folk Albums Chart Show—7th November 2023

This month’s Official Folk Albums Chart Show from Folk on Foot features an interview with Martin Simpson about “Nothing But Green Willow”, his trans-Atlantic collaboration with Thomm Jutz and a host of amazing singers. Plus there’s music from Matthew and the Atlas, Track Dogs, Chris Brain, The Breath, Finbar Furey, Skinny Lister and The Mary Wallopers.  --- We rely entirely on support from our listeners to keep this show on the road. If you like what we do please either... Donate to the Folk on

Nov 7, 2023 • 59:51

Jon Wilks in Birmingham

Jon Wilks is singlehandedly bringing folk music to a wider audience, through his excellent TradFolk website and Old Songs Podcast and of course by singing and playing the music itself. In this episode, he takes us for a walk around the stomping grounds of his youth in the centre of Birmingham, sharing his fascinating insights into the history of music making in the city and performing songs on the very spot where they were originally collected. Oh, and then there’s the sausage roll incident in G

Oct 12, 2023 • 57:21

Official Folk Albums Chart Show—3rd October 2023

This month’s Official Folk Albums Chart Show from Folk on Foot features an interview with the wonderful Northumbrian pipe and fiddle player Kathryn Tickell. There’s also music from Ninebarrow, The Gentle Good, Daphne’s Flight, The Melrose Quartet, The Tumbling Paddies, Rachel Sermanni and Lankum. --- We rely entirely on support from our listeners to keep this show on the road. If you like what we do please either... Donate to the Folk on Foot Big Walk 2023: folkonfoot.com/bigwalk Become a patron

Oct 3, 2023 • 1:06:56

Fiona Soe Paing in Aberdeenshire

When the Scottish Burmese sound artist Fiona Soe Paing discovered that one of her ancestors was a traditional singer, she resolved to make a contemporary electronic album reflecting the music and folk tales of her home county of Aberdeenshire.On this walk up Bennachie and then along the coast, she sings some of the songs on the very spot where they were inspired, including John Hosie’s Well (said to have sprung from the ground where his tears fell when he returned from a long imprisonment to fin

Sep 14, 2023 • 52:50

Official Folk Albums Chart Show—5th September 2023

This month’s Official Folk Albums Chart Show from Folk on Foot features live performances by The Eliza Carthy Trio (filmed at Sidmouth) and The Young’Uns (filmed in the back room of the Duck pub in Campsea Ash, Suffolk during host Matthew Bannister’s Big Walk for the charity Help Musicians.) There’s also music from Breabach, Skerryvore, Karine Polwart and Kris Drever, Lankum and Gaz Brookfield. --- We rely entirely on support from our listeners to keep this show on the road. If you like what we

Sep 5, 2023 • 54:28

The Music of the Big Walk

On August 4th 2023, Folk on Foot host Matthew Bannister set off on his biggest walk yet. Over two weeks, he covered 186 miles from Wickham Festival in Hampshire to Folk East in Suffolk, raising thousands of pounds for the charity Help Musicians. Every evening he was met (in a pub, of course), by some of the folk world’s finest musicians. This bonus episode treats you to the musical highlights that spurred Matthew on his way. You will hear:Day 1: Rosie Hodgson and Rowan Piggott of The Wilderness

Aug 31, 2023 • 1:28:31

The Story of The Big Walk

On 4th August 2023, Folk on Foot host Matthew Bannister set off on his biggest walk yet: from Wickham Festival in Hampshire to Folk East in Suffolk. Over two weeks, he covered 186 miles, took 465,137 steps and raised thousands of pounds for the charity Help Musicians. Each evening, he was joined in the pub by some of the folk world’s finest musicians, who sang and played to revive his flagging spirits. This episode tells the inside story of the walk, using Matthew’s private audio diaries and hig

Aug 24, 2023 • 1:14:05

Official Folk Albums Chart Show—1st August 2023

This month’s Official Folk Albums Chart Show from Folk on Foot includes music from The Longest Johns, The Sea Song Sessions, Jacko Hooper, Brigid Mae Power, The Lilac Time and Seth Lakeman. Host Matthew Bannister also has the latest news on his 180 mile Big Walk raising money for the charity Help Musicians, which starts at the Wickham Festival in Hampshire on Friday 4th August. --- We rely entirely on support from our listeners to keep this show on the road. If you like what we do please either.

Aug 1, 2023 • 35:50

Johnny Campbell & Mikey Kenney on Whernside

This is our highest ever episode. We climbed to the top of Yorkshire’s tallest peak - Whernside - with the singer/songwriter Johnny Campbell and the fiddle player Mikey Kenney to help Johnny record a track for his forthcoming album “True North”. He’s recording each track at the summit of one of the highest peaks in the North of England. Along the way we discuss his passion for Northern folk music, his love of walking and his determination to campaign for a Right to Roam. It’s a big climb - but t

Jul 13, 2023 • 46:54

Official Folk Albums Chart Show—4th July 2023

The guest on this month’s Official Folk Albums Chart Show is the inimitable Shirley Collins. She’ll be explaining how she managed to include memories of her sister Dolly, her Uncle Fred and her father in her acclaimed new album “Archangel Hill”. Host Matthew Bannister will be talking about his Big Walk in aid of the charity Help Musicians – 180 miles in 2 weeks in August – and there is music from Siobhan Miller, Roseanne Reid, Hannah Sanders and Ben Savage, Magpie Arc, Jim Ghedi and Toby Hay and

Jul 4, 2023 • 54:56

Angeline Morrison in North Cornwall

Angeline Morrison’s “The Sorrow Songs - Folk Songs of Black British Experience” was one of the most significant albums of recent times. On this walk near her home in North Cornwall, Angeline talks about her deep love for traditional music and her determination to chronicle in song the experiences of black Britons through history. By the grave of the master and slave who are buried together she sings “Slave No More” and on the beach where she first composed it, she performs “Unknown African Boy,

Jun 15, 2023 • 1:00:06

Official Folk Albums Chart Show—6th June 2023

This month’s Official Folk Albums Chart Show features interviews with Jon Wilks about his new album and Aidan Moodie of Gnoss on theirs, plus music from Lady Maisery, Cinder Well, Merry Hell and Skerryvore.  --- We rely entirely on support from our listeners to keep this show on the road. If you like what we do please either... Become a patron and get great rewards: patreon.com/folkonfoot Or just buy us a coffee: ko-fi.com/folkonfoot Sign up for our newsletter at www.folkonfoot.com Follow us on

Jun 6, 2023 • 51:49

James Yorkston and Nina Persson in Tentsmuir Forest

The Fife based singer/songwriter James Yorkston and the Cardigans lead singer Nina Persson teamed up with the Swedish Second Hand Orchestra to make the gorgeous album “The Great White Sea Eagle”. On this atmospheric walk through Tentsmuir Forest on the Scottish coast just north of St Andrews, James explains why he comes to the forest to find calm and space. Nina recalls her hectic time as a pop star in the 1990s and they share insights into their inspiration and creative process. Then their voic

May 18, 2023 • 56:04

Official Folk Albums Chart Show—9th May 2023

This month’s Official Folk Albums Chart Show from Folk on Foot features an interview with the Young’Uns about their inspiring new album Tiny Notes and there’s music from Billie Marten, Brìghde Chaimbeul, Alasdair Roberts, Josienne Clarke, Craig Gould, Reg Meuross, O’Hooley and Tidow, Lucy Farrell and Westward The Light. --- We rely entirely on support from our listeners to keep this show on the road. If you like what we do please either... Become a patron and get great rewards: patreon.com/folko

May 9, 2023 • 1:04:43

Katherine Priddy at Alvechurch & Tanworth in Arden

Katherine Priddy grew up in the village of Alvechurch in the West Midlands, writing songs as a teenager which eventually ended up on her beautiful debut album “The Eternal Rocks Beneath”.  On a walk in the nearby countryside, she sings two of them before we move on to Tanworth in Arden where Nick Drake is buried. Katherine is part of a stellar line up of artists who’ve been invited to re-interpret Nick’s songs for a new album. By his grave she sings his compositions “They’re Leaving Me Behind” a

Apr 13, 2023 • 51:06

Official Folk Albums Chart Show—4th April 2023

The Official Folk Albums Chart Show from Folk on Foot features an interview with Marry Waterson, Lisa Knapp and Nathaniel Mann, otherwise known as The Hack Poets Guild. They’ll be demonstrating the art of beating hemp, asking why highwaymen are seen as lovable rogues and singing a ballad involving birds nesting in a dead man’s skull. There’s also music from Lankum, The Levellers Collective, Daoiri Farrell, Boo Hewerdine and Ben Walker and Nancy Kerr. --- We rely entirely on support from our list

Apr 4, 2023 • 55:55

Amy-Jane Beer and Cynefin along the River Clettwr

Why do rivers play such a vital role in our lives, culture and folklore? In this glorious episode, the nature writer Amy-Jane Beer, author of “The Flow”, joins the Welsh singer and songwriter Owen Shiers (also known as Cynefin) on a walk up the beautiful River Clettwr in Ceredigion. There are songs and stories aplenty and even a game of Pooh sticks.---We rely entirely on support from our listeners to keep this show on the road. If you like what we do please either...Become a patron and get great

Mar 17, 2023 • 59:33

Official Folk Albums Chart Show—7th March 2023

The Official Folk Albums Chart Show from Folk on Foot features an exclusive acoustic performance by James Yorkston and Nina Persson filmed in Tentsmuir Forest on the Fife coast. There’s also music from Lisa O’Neill, Unthank:Smith, Rozi Plain, Show of Hands and Track Dogs, Heidi Talbot and Siobhan Miller. --- We rely entirely on support from our listeners to keep this show on the road. If you like what we do please either... Become a patron and get great rewards: patreon.com/folkonfoot Or just bu

Mar 7, 2023 • 48:09

Freedom To Roam in the Malvern Hills

Freedom To Roam is a music and multi-media project dreamed up by the flautist Eliza Marshall as a response to many of the pressing issues facing us right now. On this walk climbing the glorious Malvern Hills she is joined by Catrin Finch (harp), Andrew Morgan (percussion) Donal Rogers (piano, guitar and more) and Jackie Shave (violin) to share the exquisite music they’ve created to tell a story of migration, liberation and care for our planet.---Delve deeper into the Folk on Foot world and keep

Feb 17, 2023 • 56:44

Official Folk Albums Chart Show—7th February 2023

The Official Folk Albums Chart Show from Folk on Foot features an interview with James Yorkston and Nina Persson about their brilliant new album with the Second Hand Orchestra. There’s also music from Rachael Dadd, David Carroll and Friends, Breabach, Martyn Joseph, Manran, Magpie Arc and The Mary Wallopers. --- Delve deeper into the Folk on Foot world and keep us on the road by becoming a Patron—sign up at patreon.com/folkonfoot. You can choose your level and get great rewards, ranging from a s

Feb 7, 2023 • 53:46

Official Folk Albums Chart of the Year Show 2022

2022 was a great year for folk albums and Matthew Bannister will be celebrating them when he presents The Official Folk Albums Chart of the Year Show 2022. He’ll count down the top 40 best-selling folk albums of 2022 and we’ll hear from many of the artists who made them, including Rachel Newton, Karine Polwart, Eliza Carthy, Seth Lakeman, Robert Macfarlane and Julie Fowlis, Kate Rusby, Becky Unthank and Bernard Butler. --- Delve deeper into the Folk on Foot world and keep us on the road by becom

Jan 24, 2023 • 1:24:27

Maddy Prior and Rose-Ellen Kemp at Stones Barn in Cumbria

“The snow it is lying on Bewcastle FellAnd the wind strips the skin from my face.The bare bones of a tree give some shelter to meBut still it’s a draughty old place.”Come to “the least populated area of the least populated county in England” and take shelter from the elements in the warm welcome of Stones Barn where Maddy Prior of Steeleye Span and her daughter Rose-Ellen Kemp are hosting one of their acclaimed singing weekends. Guest tutor Martin Carthy reveals how he discovered the joys of tra

Jan 13, 2023 • 42:52

Official Folk Albums Chart Show—10th January 2023

The Official Folk Albums Chart Show from Folk on Foot features music from Emily Portman and Rob Harbron, Su-a Lee and friends, Trials of Cato, Mediaeval Baebes, Stick in the Wheel and Duncan Chisholm. There’s also news of an exclusive intimate Front Room Gig with Jenny Sturgeon. --- Delve deeper into the Folk on Foot world and keep us on the road by becoming a Patron—sign up at patreon.com/folkonfoot. You can choose your level and get great rewards, ranging from a stylish Folk on Foot badge to a

Jan 10, 2023 • 45:39

The Wexford Carols with Caitriona O’Leary

A festive episode featuring the Wexford Carols sung by the beautiful voice of Caitriona O’Leary. The carols came out of the persecution of Catholics in Wexford in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries and were written by Bishop Luke Waddinge and Father William Devereux. Caitriona takes Matthew Bannister to the Franciscan church where Bishop Waddinge is buried and to St Aidan’s Cathedral in Enniscorthy where the area’s most famous carol was collected. We also meet the retired fisherman Dixie D

Dec 16, 2022 • 58:04

Official Folk Albums Chart Show–6th December 2022

This month's Official Folk Albums Chart Show from Folk on Foot features an interview with Eliza Carthy as she celebrates her astonishing 30 year career. There’s music from Janice Burns and Jon Doran, Albion Christmas Band, Burd Ellen, Magpie Arc, The Mary Wallopers and Lady Maisery. Plus the Chief Executive of the charity Help Musicians, James Ainscough, talks about the unique pressures facing musicians as 2022 draws to a close. --- Delve deeper into the Folk on Foot world and keep us on the roa

Dec 6, 2022 • 1:07:11

Jon Boden, Seth Lakeman, Ben Nicholls, Emily Portman and Jack Rutter on a tall ship

Ahoy there! A folk supergroup – The Sea Song Sessions - playing and singing on board a tall ship in Fowey Harbour in Cornwall as the water laps the hull. A discussion of the role of seafaring music in our island history. And a tour of the good ship Anny of Charlestown from her skipper. Shiver me timbers – it’s a great listen!---Delve deeper into the Folk on Foot world and keep us on the road by becoming a Patron—sign up at patreon.com/folkonfoot.You can choose your level and get great rewards, r

Nov 11, 2022 • 57:58

Official Folk Albums Chart Show—1st November 2022

This month’s Official Folk Albums Chart Show features an interview with Becky Unthank about the Unthanks’ new album Sorrows Away; an interview with Angeline Morrison about her album telling stories of the Black British experience; an exclusive film of the Sea Song Sessions - Jon Boden, Seth Lakeman, Ben Nicholls, Emily Portman and Jack Rutter performing on a tall ship in Fowey Harbour; plus music from Magpies, Blackbeard’s Tea Party, Man The Lifeboats, Dan Whitehouse and Sam Sweeney. There’s als

Nov 1, 2022 • 1:07:26

Gwilym Bowen Rhys in Aberdaron

Come for a wild, wet and windy walk on the beach at Aberdaron on the Llyn peninsula in Wales with the singer and songwriter Gwilym Bowen Rhys. Then join us in the local church where  Gwilym demonstrates his musical versatility, accompanying himself on the guitar, fiddle, harmonica and organ and throwing in a whistling solo for good measure. He sings a song about a local shipwreck and shows us the grave of the victims in the churchyard. We learn about local history, Welsh language and culture and

Oct 13, 2022 • 53:30

Official Folk Albums Chart Show—4th October 2022

This month’s Official Folk Albums Chart Show from Folk on Foot features music from Marcus Mumford, Elephant Sessions, Fara, Jackie Oates, Siobhan Miller, Tarren, John Dhali and Ranagri. Plus the latest gig news from Lucy Shields and details of a new Welsh episode of Folk on Foot. --- Delve deeper into the Folk on Foot world and keep us on the road by becoming a Patron—sign up at patreon.com/folkonfoot. You can choose your level and get great rewards, ranging from a stylish Folk on Foot badge to

Oct 4, 2022 • 49:12

Folk on Foot Trailer

What is the multi-award-winning Folk on Foot all about? The Telegraph calls it “a restorative breathing space in sound”.  In this sampler, host Matthew Bannister shares beautiful extracts from episodes featuring Karine Polwart on Fala Moor, Eliza Carthy and family at Robin Hood’s Bay, Jenny Sturgeon in Shetland, Richard Thompson in Muswell Hill, Duncan Chisholm at Sandwood Bay, The Unthanks on the Northumberland Coast, Robert Macfarlane and Johnny Flynn at Wandlebury, Peggy Seeger in Iffley and

Sep 19, 2022 • 29:31

The Dance of the Commons at the Englefield Estate

On a hot August day, scores of walkers in weird, wacky and wonderful costumes inspired by old English traditions, accompanied by morris dancers and musicians, set off to stage a peaceful and joyful mass trespass.  Led by Herne the Hunter (Book of Trespass author Nick Hayes) and singer Sam Lee, they targeted the Englefield Estate near Reading, thousands of acres owned by Lord Benyon, the government minister for rural affairs. In this episode, we hear them dance into the estate, explain why they d

Sep 15, 2022 • 52:11

Bonus Episode: Maddy Prior and Peter Knight in conversation at Cecil Sharp House

Singer Maddy Prior and violinist Peter Knight were at the heart of the success of folk rock pioneers Steeleye Span. In this candid interview with Matthew Bannister on stage at the Indoor Festival of Folk at Cecil Sharp House, they recall the heady days of rock n roll excess during the 1970s and movingly describe the role of music in their lives. Peter reveals he once appeared on Top of the Pops dressed as a Womble and Maddy describes the gig where they dropped thousands of pound notes onto the h

Sep 12, 2022 • 48:57

Official Folk Albums Chart Show—6th September 2022

This month’s Official Folk Albums Chart Show from Folk on Foot features an interview with Bernard Butler about his stunning number one album with Jessie Buckley “For All Our Days That Tear The Heart”. “We made this album for love,” Bernard tells host Matthew Bannister as he reveals the recording process started at his kitchen table and continued in his attic. There’s also music from Manran, Bellowhead, The Wilderness Yet, Katie Doherty and the Navigators and Rusty Shackle. Plus all the latest gi

Sep 6, 2022 • 53:53

Fay Hield at the Soundpost Weekend in Dungworth

The singer, songwriter and academic Fay Hield invites us to a Soundpost Singing Weekend in the village of Dungworth on the outskirts of Sheffield. Guests include Sean Cooney of the Young’uns and Rowan Rheingans who wrote special songs for the event. But mostly we walk in the surrounding countryside with Fay and her dog, hearing her sing, learning about her life in music and debating the big issues like “what is folk music?” and “why does it matter?”---Delve deeper into the Folk on Foot world and

Aug 11, 2022 • 1:07:23

Official Folk Albums Chart Show—2nd August 2022

This month’s Official Folk Albums Chart Show from Folk on Foot is presented by Matthew Bannister from the Sidmouth Folk Festival and features an interview with Bella Hardy about her new album “Love Songs” plus music from Kim Carnie, Martyn Joseph, David Ford and Annie Dressner, Will Allen, Damien O’Kane and Ron Block, Kathryn Williams and Jessie Buckley and Bernard Butler. --- Delve deeper into the Folk on Foot world and keep us on the road by becoming a Patron—sign up at patreon.com/folkonfoot.

Aug 2, 2022 • 55:32

The Musical Village of Pathhead, Midlothian

Join us on a walk around the unassuming village of Pathhead, Midlothian, just south of Edinburgh, which is home to a whole galaxy of Scottish musicians.We start with singer songwriter Karine Polwart, who takes us to meet pianist Dave Milligan and his partner the harpist Corrina Hewat. Then it’s round the corner to see singer and multi-instrumentalist Inge Thomson, her partner Martin Green (of Lau) and their son Ewen, who plays mandolin. They hand us on to bass player Tom Lyne who also creates mu

Jul 15, 2022 • 1:30:46

Official Folk Albums Chart Show—5th July 2022

This month’s Official Folk Albums Chart Show from Folk on Foot has the Welsh harpist Catrin Finch reflecting on her ten year musical partnership with the kora player Seckou Keita, plus music from Jessie Buckley and Bernard Butler, Hannah Rarity, Boo Hewerdine, Phil Odgers and Crake and all the latest Festival news from Lucy Shields of the Folk Forecast. --- Delve deeper into the Folk on Foot world and keep us on the road by becoming a Patron—sign up at patreon.com/folkonfoot. You can choose your

Jul 5, 2022 • 50:15

Jamie Webster in Liverpool

“My city, my people, my heart” – Jamie Webster loves his home city of Liverpool – and Liverpool loves Jamie Webster. The young singer and songwriter started out performing chants for fans of Liverpool FC, which led to a gig in front of 60,000 at the Champions League Final and a meeting with manager Jurgen Klopp. Now his songs of working-class life have made Jamie a local hero with two hit albums under his belt.In this episode he takes us to a community centre called “the Florrie” where he volunt

Jun 16, 2022 • 54:20

Official Folk Albums Chart Show—7th June 2022

What advice would Kate Rusby give to her younger self? Find out on this month’s Official Folk Albums Chart Show from Folk on Foot as she joins host Matthew Bannister to celebrate her 30 years on the road. There are also special performances by Angeline Morrison, Heidi Talbot and Bryony Griffith and Alice Jones plus music from Katie Spencer, Nick Hart and Guise.---Access over 150 performances from dozens of artists, by signing up to Folk On Foot On Film: https://www.folkonfoot.com/watch We rely e

Jun 7, 2022 • 50:50

Raynor Winn and the Gigspanner Big Band on the South West Coast Path

Raynor Winn’s best-selling book “The Salt Path” tells how she and her husband Moth became homeless just as he was diagnosed with a terminal neuro-degenerative disease. Despite this, they set off to walk the 630 challenging miles of the South West Coast Path. The redemptive story of their dogged determination, loving relationship and close connection with the natural world made the book a best seller.Now Raynor has teamed up with Peter Knight’s brilliant Gigspanner Big Band to create a new show w

May 12, 2022 • 1:06:00

Official Folk Albums Chart Show—3rd May 2022

This month’s Official Folk Albums Chart Show from Folk on Foot features Iona Lane, John Smith, Chris Brain, Michael Weston King, Hanging Stars, Hannah Sanders and Ben Savage and Passenger. Plus the latest gig news and the announcement of an exciting new episode of Folk on Foot. ---Access over 150 performances from dozens of artists, by signing up to Folk On Foot On Film: https://www.folkonfoot.com/watch We rely entirely on support from our listeners to make Folk on Foot. So please consider becom

May 3, 2022 • 42:15

Grace Petrie in Leicester

Grace Petrie sometimes introduces herself on stage as “a socialist, feminist, lesbian protest singer”. Her acutely observed songs range from political and passionate to personal and profound.  She’s also been known to turn her hand to comedy. In this walk through her home city of Leicester she tells Matthew Bannister about her childhood and musical journey, reflects on what it means always to be on “The Losing Side” in politics and reveals the poignant story behind a visit to IKEA.---Delve deepe

Apr 14, 2022 • 56:30

Official Folk Albums Chart Show—5th April 2022

This month’s Official Folk Albums Chart Show from Folk on Foot features John Jones of Oysterband talking about their first full studio album for eight years, plus music from Bird In The Belly, DLU, Dean Owens, Barbara Dickson, Samana and the Longest Johns.---Access over 150 performances from dozens of artists, by signing up to Folk On Foot On Film: https://www.folkonfoot.com/watch We rely entirely on support from our listeners to make Folk on Foot. So please consider becoming a patron. You’ll ma

Apr 5, 2022 • 53:29

Johnny Kalsi in Southall

The drummer Johnny Kalsi (The Dhol Foundation, Transglobal Underground, Afro Celt Sound System, Imagined Village) takes us for a walk round Southall - an area of West London known as “Little India”. We visit a Sikh temple, marvel at the sumptuous fabrics and glittering jewellery in the bridal shops on the High Street and drop in to his favourite restaurant for “food like you’ve never tasted before”. But above all we head to two music shops where Johnny gives a bravura demonstration of how to pla

Mar 11, 2022 • 54:03

Official Folk Albums Chart Show—1st March 2022

This month’s Official Folk Albums Chart Show from Folk on Foot features an interview with the singer and harpist Rachel Newton about Heal and Harrow - her collaboration with the fiddle player Lauren MacColl. It was inspired by one of the darkest episodes in Scotland’s history - the witch trials of the 16th and 17th centuries. There’s also music from the Longest Johns, Talisk, Peggy Seeger, Saint Sister, Josienne Clarke and Manran. --- Access over 150 performances from dozens of artists, by s

Mar 1, 2022 • 43:29

Maurice Henderson & Ewen Thomson on Shetland

We’re back on the glorious Shetland Isles for this episode and who better to show us around than the renowned local fiddle player Maurice Henderson (of Fiddlers Bid) and his friend the luthier and guitarist from Fair Isle Ewen Thomson? After Ewen demonstrates how to make a great violin, they take us to the beach where they tell folk tales, play traditional dance tunes and introduce us to the sea birds.---Access exclusive films of Maurice and Ewan performing along our walk, along with over 150 ot

Feb 18, 2022 • 55:37

Official Folk Albums Chart Show—8th February 2022

This month, the Official Folk Albums Chart Show from Folk on Foot features a chance to re-live some of the highlights from last week’s Chart of the Year Show with live performances from Spiers and Boden, Katherine Priddy and Spell Songs. There’s also an exclusive on location performance by Johnny Flynn and Robert Macfarlane of “The World To Come” from their album “Lost In The Cedar Wood” and music from Lost Trades, Police Dog Hogan, Megan Henderson, Seth Lakeman and Jamie Webster. --- Access

Feb 8, 2022 • 53:44

Official Folk Albums Chart of the Year Show 2021

Join us for a very special show streamed live from Cecil Sharp House. The show looks back at the highlights of 2021, the very first full year of The Official Folk Albums Chart.Hosted by Matthew Bannister with guest co-host Kitty Macfarlane, the show features live performances and interviews with artists that have featured in the chart over the past year including Spiers and Boden, Katherine Priddy, Gwenifer Raymond, Spell Songs and The Longest Johns.---Access over 150 performances from dozens of

Feb 2, 2022 • 1:34:29

Kathryn Tickell & her Dad by the River Rede

“He said you could pluck songs out of the air - pluck them out of the air - and sing them bonny”. The great Northumbrian pipe player Kathryn Tickell describes the River Rede near her home as the backdrop and soundscape to her life. On its bank, she is joined by her Dad Mike to perform music, songs and stories inspired by the beautiful county where he brought her up and introduced her to the folk tradition.---Access exclusive films of Kathryn performing by the river, along with over 150 other per

Jan 14, 2022 • 52:36

Official Folk Albums Chart Show—11th January 2022

This month’s  Official Folk Albums Chart Show from Folk on Foot features an interview with Robert Macfarlane and Julie Fowlis about the emotional creative process behind the second Spell Songs album. There’s also music from Celtic Woman, Treetop Flyers, Kathryn Williams and Carol Ann Duffy, The Levellers and Richard Dawson and Circle. Plus a beautiful Wexford carol from Catriona O’Leary and friends. --- Access over 150 performances from dozens of artists, by signing up to Folk On Foot On Fil

Jan 11, 2022 • 57:49

Declan O‘Rourke in Kinvara

The acclaimed singer and songwriter Declan O’Rourke takes us for a scenic walk near his home in the beautiful fishing village of Kinvara on the west coast of Ireland, singing songs inspired by the area as he goes.  Declan’s grandfather, an artist, was born and brought up in Kinvara. On our walk, Declan reflects on his first performance at an open mic night in Dublin where he suffered “an instant addiction” to singing live, on his fascination with the Great Irish Famine of the 1840s and 50s and o

Dec 17, 2021 • 59:32

Official Folk Albums Chart Show—7th December 2021

This month’s Official Folk Albums Chart Show from Folk on Foot features an interview with Seth Lakeman about his new album “Make Your Mark” plus music from Christy Moore, Martyn Joseph, Spencer Cullum, Henry Parker, Reg Meuross with Harbottle and Jonas, Hannah James and Toby Kuhn and The Magic Lantern. --- Access over 150 performances from dozens of artists, by signing up to Folk On Foot On Film: https://www.folkonfoot.com/watch We rely entirely on support from our listeners to make Folk

Dec 7, 2021 • 52:16

The Ciderhouse Rebellion & Jessie Summerhayes in the Rosedale Valley

In the shadow of the disused ironstone kilns of the Rosedale Valley in North Yorkshire, Ciderhouse Rebellion - fiddle player Adam Summerhayes and accordionist Murray Grainger - conjure up a soundscape of rare beauty - improvised on the spot. Then they add evocative poetry from Adam’s daughter Jessie to create,  in words and music, a picture of the harshness of Victorian industry in the midst of the beauty of nature.---Access exclusive films of Ciderhouse Rebellion performing along our walk, alon

Nov 12, 2021 • 58:43

Official Folk Albums Chart Show—2nd November 2021

This month’s Official Folk Albums Chart Show features interviews with Karine Polwart and Dave Milligan and Grace Petrie and her dog Frank. There’s also music from The Last Inklings, David Keenan, Manran, Will Varley, Danny George Wilson, Afterlight and Ferocious Dog. --- Access over 100 performances from dozens of artists, by signing up to Folk On Foot On Film: https://www.folkonfoot.com/watch We rely entirely on support from our listeners to make Folk on Foot. So please consider becoming

Nov 2, 2021 • 1:12:15

Edgelarks at Scorhill Stone Circle

A Bronze Age site on Dartmoor, six musical instruments, a feather, harmonica-enhanced beatboxing, a stone that is said to increase fertility, a fast flowing river, a baby and a caring grandmother - all ingredients of a wonderful walk with the award-winning duo Edgelarks (Phillip Henry and Hannah Martin).---Access exclusive films of Edgelarks performing along our walk, along with over 100 other performances from dozens of artists, by signing up to Folk On Foot On Film: https://www.folkonfoot.com/

Oct 14, 2021 • 57:26

Official Folk Albums Chart Show—5th October 2021

The Official Folk Albums Chart Show from Folk on Foot features a special backstage performance by Spiers and Boden, Jamie Webster playing dockside in Liverpool, an interview with Sam Kelly about his latest album with the Lost Boys and music from Phil Odgers and Ben Walker and Kirsty Merryn. --- Access over 100 performances from dozens of artists, by signing up to Folk On Foot On Film: https://www.folkonfoot.com/watch We rely entirely on support from our listeners to make Folk on Foot. So

Oct 5, 2021 • 47:16

Olivia Chaney at the House on Hawnby Moor

Olivia Chaney wrote many of the songs for her critically acclaimed second solo album whilst living alone without electricity or mains water at her family’s remote and crumbling farmhouse on Hawnby Moor in North Yorkshire. On a hot summer’s day, she takes Matthew Bannister back across the Moor, singing and playing along the way, circled by curlews and lapwings, to share the atmospheric isolation that brought her inspiration.---Access exclusive films of Olivia performing along our walk, along with

Sep 16, 2021 • 44:59

Official Folk Albums Chart Show—7th September 2021

The Official Folk Albums Chart Show from Folk on Foot features a beautiful live track by Cara Dillon, special performances by Alex Rex and Alasdair Roberts and music by Jim Ghedi, John Francis Flynn, Josienne Clarke, Jamie Webster and the late, great Jackie Leven. --- Access over 100 performances from dozens of artists, by signing up to Folk On Foot On Film: https://www.folkonfoot.com/watch We rely entirely on support from our listeners to make Folk on Foot. So please consider becoming a

Sep 7, 2021 • 51:27

Robert Macfarlane & Johnny Flynn at Wandlebury

Question: What do you get when you go walking with the nature writer Robert Macfarlane and the actor and musician Johnny Flynn on a scorching hot summer's day in Wandlebury?Answer: A Neolithic track, an Iron Age fort, a Roman road, a holm oak, cow pats, a mighty avenue of sun-dappled beech, a buzzard, a grasshopper orchestra, a dragonfly, the stories of a mysterious white horse and a dread augury and countless busy, buzzing bees. Oh, and no fewer than six extraordinary songs performed along the

Aug 12, 2021 • 1:09:28

Official Folk Albums Chart Show—3rd August 2021

The Official Folk Albums Chart Show – presented this month by Folk on Foot host Matthew Bannister from the Sidmouth Folk Festival - features an exclusive performance by Robert Macfarlane and Johnny Flynn in a Cambridgeshire cornfield,  a specially recorded song from Jenny Sturgeon, classic live footage from Skerryvore and The Levellers and music from Sam Sweeney, Fuzzy Lights, Saint Sister and Katherine Priddy. --- Access over 100 performances from dozens of artists, by signing up to Folk On

Aug 3, 2021 • 50:05

Jenny Sturgeon in Shetland

The singer, songwriter and artist Jenny Sturgeon has made her home on Shetland, a group of wild and wonderful islands in the North Atlantic. Her latest album “The Living Mountain” was inspired by the classic book about the Cairngorms by Nan Shepherd. On our atmospheric walk, with seabirds calling and waves crashing, Jenny reflects on finding inspiration for her music in nature as she performs songs from “The Living Mountain” and a new composition written in lockdown.---Access exclusive films of

Jul 15, 2021 • 55:33

Official Folk Albums Chart Show – 6th July 2021

The Official Folk Albums Chart Show from Folk on Foot features Jon Boden talking about the Bellowhead re-union, Katherine Priddy on her long awaited debut album and an interview with Lady Nade featuring an unexpected interruption. Plus music from Gwenifer Raymond, Peter Bruntnell, Chloe Foy and MG Boulter. --- Access over 100 performances from dozens of artists, by signing up to Folk On Foot On Film: https://www.folkonfoot.com/watch We rely entirely on support from our listeners to make F

Jul 6, 2021 • 54:42

Sam Sweeney at Swift's Hill

The wonderful English fiddle player Sam Sweeney has been a key member of Bellowhead, Leveret, Eliza Carthy’s Wayward Band and many other collaborations. He’s also made two acclaimed solo albums. He takes us up to the top of Swift’s Hill, where he plays the tune of the same name.  Along the way he tells stories of his hero Dave Swarbrick, his unfinished First World War violin and learning to play the bagpipes in six weeks.---Access six exclusive films of Sam performing along our walk, along with

Jun 17, 2021 • 53:23

Official Folk Albums Chart Show – 8th June 2021

The Official Folk Albums Chart Show from Folk on Foot (out on Tuesday June 8th at 1900) will feature an interview with the Irish singer, songwriter and guitarist Declan O’Rourke who tells Matthew Bannister he could have been a painter like his grandfather if things had turned out differently. He also talks about working with Paul Weller who produced his new album “Arrivals” and explains how the birth of his first child inspired one of the songs on it. Plus there’ll be a special performance by Bo

Jun 8, 2021 • 57:18

Jim Ghedi (and Friends) in Crookes and the Moss Valley

A finger style guitarist with a uniquely impassioned vocal style, Jim Ghedi was born and brought up in the Crookes area of Sheffield. He takes Matthew Bannister to his Nan and Grandad’s terraced house where he heard a lot of Irish music as a child. Jim rejected folk music at first, but found his way back to it as a teenager. Now he’s steeped in the tradition, citing the guitar playing of Bert Jansch and the singing of Norma Waterson as influences. At a beautiful vantage point at the top of one o

May 13, 2021 • 54:06

Official Folk Albums Chart Show—4th May 2021

This month’s Official Folk Albums Chart Show from Folk on Foot features an interview with Peggy Seeger (is the First Farewell really her last ever solo album?) plus music from John Spillane, Polly Paulusma, Stick In The Wheel, Ray Cooper, John Smith, Declan O’Rourke and Flyte. --- Access over 100 performances from dozens of artists, by signing up to Folk On Foot On Film: https://www.folkonfoot.com/watch We rely entirely on support from our listeners to make Folk on Foot. So please conside

May 4, 2021 • 53:56

Germa Adan in the Sandwell Valley

The singer, fiddle, guitar and ukulele player Germa Adan was born in Haiti, grew up in Florida and now lives in the UK. She says the RSPB reserve in the Sandwell Valley has been her place of calm during the lockdowns – where she goes to contemplate and recharge. Germa is a rising star on the folk scene with a beguiling and original style.---Access five exclusive films of Germa performing along our walk, along with over 100 other performances from dozens of artists, by signing up to Folk On Foot

Apr 15, 2021 • 50:36

Official Folk Albums Chart Show—6th April 2021

This month's show features an interview with Jon Boden about his album “Last Mile Home” (and the joys of wild swimming). There’s also a beautiful track from Ninebarrow recorded in the historic St James’s Church in Poole, an amazing video from Brian Finnegan shot all over the world plus music from High Kings, Harbottle and Jonas, John Smith, Blackmore’s Night and The Staves. And we showcase the extraordinary hula hooping skills of Laura Lamn.”   🎥 Subscribe to Folk On Foot On Film: https://w

Apr 6, 2021 • 1:03:10

Cosmo Sheldrake in Boulsbury Wood

The multi talented musician, producer and lover of the natural world Cosmo Sheldrake takes Matthew Bannister for a walk in the wood near his home in Hampshire. As well as creating electronic music from the song of endangered bird species and the sounds of deep sea creatures, he demonstrates his skill as a beat boxer, Mongolian overtone chanter and bones player; climbs halfway up a tree to sing in the wonderful acoustic of a clearing and covers a Tom Waits song. ---We rely entirely on support fro

Mar 12, 2021 • 49:04

Official Folk Albums Chart Show—1st March 2021

The Official Folk Albums Chart Show from Folk on Foot will feature a high energy live track from Peat and Diesel, an interview with Jim Ghedi about his brilliant new album In The Furrows of Common Place and music from Westward The Light, Steve Tilston, Luke Concannon, Karen Matheson and The Staves. It launches at 7pm on the Folk on Foot YouTube Channel and podcast feed.

Mar 1, 2021 • 57:24

Festival of LOVE: The Original Songs

23 amazing folk acts each performing an original love song for the Folk on Foot Festival of LOVE on Valentine’s Day 2021, featuring Heidi Talbot: Easter Snow; Seth Lakeman: The White Hare; Lady Nade: Sweet Honey Bee; Kris Drever: When We Roll In The Morning; O’Hooley and Tidow: Blanket; Chris Wood: The Sweetness Game; Nancy Kerr and James Fagan: Seven Notes; Bella Hardy: Redemption; Sam Lee: Sweet Girl Macree; Rachel Newton: An Hour With Thee (words: Sir Walter Scott); Eliza CarthyNight Swimming

Feb 19, 2021 • 1:43:05

Festival of LOVE: The Traditional Songs

23 amazing folk acts each performing a traditional love song for the Folk on Foot Festival of LOVE on Valentine’s Day 2021, featuring Nancy Kerr and James Fagan: The Streams of Lovely Nancy: Heidi Talbot: The Blackest Crow; Seth Lakeman: Portrait of My Wife; Lady Nade: Good Looking/Hank Williams; Kris Drever: Westlin’ Winds; O’Hooley and Tidow: Lullabies for Flynn; Chris Wood: A Cornish Young Man; Bella Hardy: Low Down In The Broom; Sam Lee: Blanafanen;  Rachel Newton: For Love; Eliza Carthy: Bo

Feb 17, 2021 • 1:51:50

Festival of LOVE: The Covers

23 amazing folk acts each performing a cover version of a love song for the Folk on Foot Festival of LOVE on Valentine’s Day 2021, featuring Heidi Talbot: I Love You/Tom Waits and Allelujah/First of a Million Kisses/Fairground Attraction;  Seth Lakeman: Beeswing/Richard Thompson; Lady Nade: I Remember Everything/John Prine; Kris Drever: Michelle/The Beatles;  O’Hooley and Tidow: Teardrop/Massive Attack; Chris Wood: I Second That Emotion/Smokey Robinson;  Bella Hardy: And I Love You So/Don Maclea

Feb 15, 2021 • 1:55:13

Official Folk Albums Chart—1st February 2021

The Official Folk Albums Chart Show for February 1st gets on board the sea shanty craze with an interview and performances by Bristol based shanty band The Longest Johns. There are also special performances by Rachel Newton, Sam Lee, The Levellers and Jamie Webster plus music from Lauren MacColl, Jim Ghedi, Peat and Diesel and Laura Marling. And there is a very big announcement from Folk on Foot itself. Find out more at https://www.folkonfoot.com​ Become a patron at https://www.patreon.com/folk

Feb 1, 2021 • 1:03:13

The Rheingans Sisters in Grindleford

Come with us to the back garden of a house in the Peak District village of Grindleford. There, in a magical atmospheric workshop with fiddles, banjos and drying gourds hanging from the ceiling, we find the Rheingans Sisters and their Dad Helmut, who makes all their instruments. Rowan and Anna Rheingans grew up surrounded by music – and are now one of the most innovative and talented duos on the folk scene. In this episode they tell us about their creative childhood, describe how they have been i

Jan 22, 2021 • 57:46

Official Folk Albums Chart Show – 4th January 2021

This month’s show has special performances by Kris Drever, Kate Rusby and Sam Lee plus an interview with Fairport Convention’s Simon Nicol and music from Sam Sweeney, Fay Hield, Barbara Dickson, Shirley Collins and Laura Marling. As usual, a great way to keep up to date with all the amazing folk music being made across the UK and Ireland right now.   We depend entirely on support from our listeners and viewers to keep going, so please consider becoming a patron of Folk on Foot. For a small mont

Jan 4, 2021 • 58:17

Richard Thompson in Muswell Hill (and other parts of London)

The legendary guitarist and songwriter Richard Thompson takes Matthew Bannister for a walk around the areas of London where he grew up, began playing the guitar, formed Fairport Convention (inventing English folk rock)  and joined the vibrant music scene of the 1960s.  On the steps of his old school in Highgate Richard sings  “Man With Money” by the Everly Brothers. In Highgate Woods he sings his classic lament for lost love and the travelling life: “Beeswing” as well as a new song written durin

Dec 18, 2020 • 1:07:29

Official Folk Albums Chart Show – 7th December 2020

There are thirteen new entries and a new number one in this month’s chart. We have specially recorded songs from the Rheingans Sisters, Martin Simpson and Gwenifer Raymond. There’s a live track from Show of Hands, chat from Frank Turner and Jon Snodgrass and music from Sam Brookes, Merry Hell, Tuung and This Is The Kit. A great way to catch up with the latest in contemporary UK and Irish folk. Presented in association with English Folk Expo. Sign up for the Folk on Foot newsletter at www.folkonf

Dec 7, 2020 • 56:33

6 Songs from Season 5

A selection of unique performances recorded on location for Folk on Foot by Frank Turner, Kitty Macfarlane, Chris Wood, Johnny Flynn, Ninebarrow and O’Hooley and Tidow. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nov 13, 2020 • 30:36

Official Folk Albums Chart Show - November 2nd 2020

Matthew Bannister counts down the latest Official Folk Albums Chart with seven new entries and a new number 1. Includes live tracks from Steeleye Span and Stick in the Wheel and music from Martin Simpson, Jenny Sturgeon, Seth Lakeman, Kris Drever, Dyble Longdon and Laura Marling.

Nov 2, 2020 • 43:30

O'Hooley & Tidow in the Colne Valley

Belinda O’Hooley and Heidi Tidow have an uncanny ability to move you to tears one moment then have you roaring with laughter the next. In summer 2020 they were planning to capitalise on the new found fame caused by having their song “Gentleman Jack” as the theme tune of the hit BBC TV drama based on the life of Anne Lister. But the lockdown put paid to all the touring they’d planned.  So they stayed at home in the beautiful Colne Valley, taking full advantage of the opportunity to enjoy watching

Oct 22, 2020 • 54:07

Ninebarrow at Nine Barrow Down

The multi award winning Dorset duo Ninebarrow take Matthew Bannister for a walk in the glorious countryside of the Isle of Purbeck. Their exquisite harmonies ring out across the Bronze Age burial mounds at Nine Barrow Down (which gave the band its name) as they savour the spectacular view of Poole Harbour, Swanage and the Isle of Wight. They end up in St James’s Church in the village of Kingston where Jon and Jay sing “Row On” in the wonderful acoustic of this special building. Hosted on Acast.

Oct 8, 2020 • 51:40

Johnny Flynn on the Hackney Marshes

In our first post lockdown episode, actor and musician Johnny Flynn takes Matthew Bannister for a walk on the Hackney Marshes, a huge expanse of public land which has no fewer than 88 football pitches alongside a nature reserve which has grown up in disused gravel pits. As well as singing his distinctive, haunting songs, Johnny relates his near miss with a bear on the Camino to Santiago, reflects on discovering the music of Bob Dylan as a teenager and talks about his friendship with the nature w

Sep 17, 2020 • 56:21

Bonus Episode: Folk on Foot Festival 3: TOGETHER AGAIN: Highlights

Another extraordinary Bank Holiday Monday virtual Festival from Folk on Foot, this time re-uniting musicians who couldn’t play together during the lockdown. The Breath; Eliza Carthy and David Delarre; Johnny Flynn and his band; Julie Fowlis, Éamon Doorley and Duncan Chisholm; Karine Polwart, Steven Polwart and Inge Thomson; Kris Drever, John McCusker and Phil Cunningham; Lady Nade, Kit Hawes and Aaron Catlow; Nancy Kerr, Martin Simpson and Andy Cutting; Peggy Seeger, Neill and Calum MacColl; Rac

Aug 31, 2020 • 2:07:38

Chris Wood in Faversham

The award winning singer, songwriter and guitarist Chris Wood has lived in Kent all his life. “If you keep moving around, how much can you trust your judgement?” he asks. “If you stop where you are, the world does eventually come to you.” Since the Brexit referendum and election of 2019, Chris has been in challenging mood.  On this walk with his dog Dancer and Matthew Bannister, Chris performs his song “Take Back Control” and contrasts the commuters on the London-bound platform at 6 every mornin

Aug 6, 2020 • 57:47

Kitty Macfarlane on the Somerset Levels

Kitty Macfarlane is known for her pure voice, poetic song writing and passion for the natural world. On this unexpectedly sunny January walk, she and Matthew Bannister climb the historic Burrow Mump Hill. Here she sings a song inspired by the view, “Man Friendship”.   As they walk along the nearby river, Kitty stops to sing her song about migration: “Glass Eel”. Then it’s off to her favourite bird sanctuary where they observe many different species and she sings her song about witnessing a murmu

Jul 23, 2020 • 53:06

Frank Turner on the Holloway Road

Frank Turner is a man of contrasts: the old Etonian who became a punk; the heavy metal fan who became a folk-influenced singer songwriter. On this walk through his old haunts on the Holloway Road in North London he reveals the inspiration for his change in musical direction, calling in at the venue Nambucca where ""the scales fell from my eyes"" and he discovered the power of ""three chords and the truth". In the empty venue he plays the songs he wrote about the creative scene there, before head

Jul 9, 2020 • 53:16

Season 5 Trailer

A delicious taster of some of the amazing new episodes coming your way in season 5 of Folk on Foot. Recorded before the lockdown, we’ve been walking with Kitty Macfarlane on the Somerset Levels, Chris Wood in Faversham and Frank Turner on the Holloway Road in North London. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jun 26, 2020 • 12:33

Bonus Episode: Seven Songs from Season 4

Featuring “Queen of Waters” by Nancy Kerr, “Scapa Flow 1919” by Kris Drever, “Sleeping Beauty” by Bella Hardy, “I’m a Woman on Wheels” by Peggy Seeger, “The Token” by Rachel Newton, “Walking Through Ithonside” by John Jones and the Reluctant Ramblers and The Melrose Quartet singing “Bright New Year”.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jun 4, 2020 • 30:26

Bonus Episode: Front Room Festival 2 Highlights

On Monday 25th May – Spring Bank Holiday in the UK – we staged the Folk on Foot Front Room Festival 2 with an astonishing line up of artists. The show lasted for eight hours – but we have distilled it down to two hours of highlights, featuring: Cara Dillon and Sam Lakeman, Chris Wood, Duncan Chisholm, Eliza Carthy, Frank Turner and Jess Guise, Gwilym Bowen Rhys, John Smith, Johnny Flynn, Kate Rusby and Damien O’Kane, Kathryn Tickell, Kitty Macfarlane, O’Hooley and Tidow, Richard Thompson and Zar

May 25, 2020 • 1:59:54

Bonus Episode: Jarlath Henderson at the Isle of Skye Festival of Small Halls

Jarlath Henderson has been described as the “Jimi Hendrix of the uilleann pipes”.  He is also a fine singer and accomplished player of the whistle. At the age of 17 he became the youngest ever winner of the Radio 2 Young Folk award. He comes from Northern Ireland but has now made his home in Scotland where he combines his musical career with working as a doctor in emergency medicine. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 7, 2020 • 30:37

Bonus Episode: Su-a Lee at the Isle of Skye Festival of Small Halls

Su-a Lee is a classically trained cellist who loves breaking down musical barriers. With the group Mr McFall’s Chamber she’s played contemporary classical music in night clubs and she regularly collaborates with Scotland’s leading folk players.  She is also a keen walker and bagger of Munros. Sitting on a rock by the river at Sligachan, she tells Matthew Bannister the poignant story of climbing Ben Nevis with her cello on her back to pay musical tribute to her late husband shortly after he died.

Apr 30, 2020 • 31:38

Rachel Newton at the Isle of Skye Festival of Small Halls

The Edinburgh-born harpist, fiddle player and singer Rachel Newton sings in both English and Gaelic and is a member of The Shee, The Furrow Collective and the Lost Words Spell Songs. We walked with her on the Isle of Skye in November 2019 where she was taking part in the wonderful Festival of Small Halls, in which top Scottish musicians come together to tour the community halls of the island. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 23, 2020 • 51:00

Bonus Episode: Front Room Festival Highlights

On Easter Bank Holiday Monday, April 13th 2020, we organised the Folk on Foot Front Room Festival - seven and a half hours of wonderful folk music from 15 top artists playing in their front rooms, linked by Matthew Bannister from his. Bella Hardy, Beth Porter and the Bookshop Band, Jon Boden, Julie Fowlis and Éamon Doorley, Karine Polwart, Kerry Andrew/You are Wolf, Kris Drever, Lisa Knapp, Martin Simpson, Nancy Kerr and James Fagan, Peggy Seeger, Rachel Newton, Sam Lee, Seth Lakeman and Steve K

Apr 14, 2020 • 2:12:45

Bella Hardy in Edale

The singer, songwriter and fiddle player Bella Hardy takes Matthew for a rain-sodden walk through the majestic countryside of the Edale Valley in the Peak District where she was brought up and has now returned to live. Undaunted by the weather, they go to the Penny Pot café, the 1811 Methodist Chapel where Bella teaches a singing group and on to her mother’s cottage where they stop for very welcome tea, biscuits and songs, including a local Castleton carol and Bella’s own compositions “Sleeping

Mar 12, 2020 • 44:17

Peggy Seeger in Iffley

After a life on the road, folk legend Peggy Seeger has settled in the village of Iffley on the outskirts of Oxford.  In this episode she talks poignantly about her mother, a talented composer who died when she was fifty-three and Peggy was just eighteen.  Peggy recites a poem called “My Mother is Younger Than Me”.  She sings old union songs, including “The Miner’s Prayer”, recalls her time on the Greenham Common protests, shows us a piece of the wire fence she keeps on her mantelpiece and sings

Feb 13, 2020 • 55:12

Kris Drever on Orkney

The guitarist, singer and songwriter Kris Drever was born and brought up on Orkney, the archipelago off the Northern coast of Scotland which is steeped in history. The walk starts in the main town of Kirkwall with its huge sandstone cathedral commemorating St Magnus who came to an untimely end. In the graveyard Kris sings “Winter Moon”. Then they head off to the shores of the great natural harbour at Scapa Flow where Kris performs his powerful song about the scuttling of the entire German navy t

Jan 16, 2020 • 50:27

Bonus Xmas Episode: The Sheffield Carols with Jon Boden, Bella Hardy and The Melrose Quartet

In search of the festive spirit of Christmas – and bearing gifts -  we travel to the Peak District and Sheffield to hear the area’s unique local carols. Along the way we collect music from Jon Boden, Bella Hardy, The Melrose Quartet and the singers of the villages of Dungworth and Hathersage. We hear how the traditional carols written and sung by working people were thrown out of the church – and had to find a new home in the village pubs. Put on your Santa hat, reindeer antlers or Christmas jum

Dec 12, 2019 • 56:42

John Jones and the Reluctant Ramblers walking to the Wickham Festival

This episode has by far the largest cast of walkers we’ve ever assembled – and the most musicians.  The lead singer of Oysterband John Jones started walking from gig to gig and singing on the way long before our podcast was invented. He’s done it all over the country and he’s usually accompanied by a bunch of fans who call themselves the Reluctant Ramblers. On a scorching hot summer’s day, we join them for a walk over Old Winchester Hill, along part of the South Downs Way and the Meon Valley to

Nov 14, 2019 • 43:12

Nancy Kerr along the Kennet and Avon Canal

For twelve years, the singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Nancy Kerr lived on a narrow boat, travelling the length and breadth of England’s inland waterways. As she walks on the towpath with Matthew Bannister, she tells how the experience inspired many of her songs – and performs two of them: “Queen of Waters” and “Tiller Song”. Nancy explains that folk music was part of her upbringing, with her mother Sandra Kerr a well-known performer and her father a Northumbrian pipe player. Did she

Oct 17, 2019 • 51:01

Season 4 trailer

Featuring: Nancy Kerr along the Kennet and Avon Canal, John Jones and the Reluctant Ramblers walking to the Wickham Festival, Kris Drever on Orkney, Peggy Seeger in Iffley and Bella Hardy in Edale. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oct 3, 2019 • 15:52

Bonus episode: Six Songs from Season 3

Featuring: “Never Any Good” by Martin Simpson;  “Charm On, Goldfinch” by Beth Porter; “Union Miner” by The Unthanks; “Salty and Sweet” by John Smith; “Lavender Song” by Lisa Knapp;  “A Precious Place” by Duncan Chisholm Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sep 12, 2019 • 26:08

Bonus episode: Martin Simpson at BBC Countryfile Live

Martin Simpson performs some of the songs from his new album “Rooted” and talks to Matthew Bannister on the Big Barn stage at the BBC Countryfile Live event in the grounds of Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Aug 29, 2019 • 45:37

Duncan Chisholm at Sandwood Bay

Sandwood Bay, at the far North Western tip of Scotland near Cape Wrath, is one of the most beautiful beaches in the UK. This wild, isolated place inspired the Scottish fiddle player and composer Duncan Chisholm’s album “Sandwood”.  He takes Matthew on the four-mile walk from the nearest road to experience the stark beauty of white sand, ancient rocks and rolling waves, telling stories of storms, hauntings and the remains of a Viking longship hidden under the beach. Then it’s out with the fiddle

Aug 9, 2019 • 43:20

Lisa Knapp in Tooting

The singer and fiddle player Lisa Knapp takes Matthew to the south London borough of Tooting where she was born and brought up. She performs songs with links to the area and tells how she stumbled across the Tooting Tragedy – a story of neglect and ill treatment at a local children’s home in Victorian times that led to hundreds of deaths and caused an outcry led by Charles Dickens. Lisa uncovered a haunting ballad about the story and sings it in the graveyard where many of the children are burie

Aug 2, 2019 • 50:29

John Smith in Brixham

John Smith is known for his delicate and intricate guitar work, honey-and-gravel voice and songs of lost love. He was born in Essex, but brought up in the seaside town of Brixham in Devon. Struck down by illness as a child, he took up the guitar and practiced obsessively in his attic bedroom overlooking the sea. In this episode, he takes Matthew to the harbour wall to sing “Salty and Sweet” and up onto the cliffs where he found peace and solitude as a teenager to sing his own compositions “Save

Jul 26, 2019 • 49:21

The Unthanks on the Northumberland Coast

Every winter, Rachael and Becky Unthank and their extended families invite their fans to join them for singing weekends in their native Northumberland. Some fifty people stay together at a bunkhouse where pianist/producer Adrian McNally does the cooking, and Rachel and Becky lead singing workshops. The weekend includes a session in the atmospheric local pub, where Matthew joins the group for a singalong. Then Rachel takes him for a walk on her favourite beach at Low Newton By The Sea, where she

Jul 19, 2019 • 50:17

Martin Simpson in Scunthorpe

Regularly voted one of the world’s greatest guitarists, Martin Simpson has been nominated for an astonishing 23 Radio 2 Folk Awards – and won artist of the year twice. He was brought up in the North Lincolnshire steel town of Scunthorpe and takes Matthew on an emotional journey back to his childhood home, explaining how he hid from his formidable mother in the apple tree in the garden, went on imaginary expeditions through a pile of maps he found under a work bench in the garage and was introduc

Jul 12, 2019 • 54:06

The Lost Words Spell Songs – Jackie Morris and Beth Porter in Pembrokeshire

The beautiful Lost Words book by artist Jackie Morris and writer Robert Macfarlane has become a cultural phenomenon, raising awareness of the importance of nature words in our lives. It has also spawned the Spell Songs project featuring some of our top folk artists. In this special edition of Folk on Foot, Matthew walks with Jackie and the singer, cellist and ukulele player Beth Porter (The Bookshop Band) on the hill near Jackie’s cottage in Wales. Beth sings and plays as Jackie creates an otter

Jul 5, 2019 • 1:00:17

Season 3 Trailer

A tantalising taste of all six beautiful episodes of Season 3, featuring The Lost Words Spell Songs: Jackie Morris and Beth Porter in Pembrokeshire; Martin Simpson in Scunthorpe; The Unthanks on the Northumberland Coast; John Smith in Brixham; Lisa Knapp in Tooting and Duncan Chisholm at Sandwood Bay. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jun 29, 2019 • 16:09

Bonus Episode: Six Songs from Season 2

Featuring: “Kitty Jay” by Seth Lakeman;  “As Sylvie Was Walking” from Kerry Andrew/You Are Wolf; :”Dancing In The Factory” by Jon Boden; “All The Things” by Stick In The Wheel; “First And Last” by Fisherman’s Friends; “Biodh an Deach Sea’n Laimh Mo Ruin (The Drink Would Be In My Love’s Hand)” by Julie Fowlis. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 11, 2019 • 28:38

Julie Fowlis on the Shores of Loch Ness

The Gaelic singer Julie Fowlis takes Matthew Bannister for a snowy walk on the dramatic shores of Loch Ness near her home in the Scottish Highlands. Accompanied by her husband Eamon Doorley, we hear Julie’s beautiful clear voice singing a song linked to the area and a love song that brought the couple together for the first time.  As they head to the spectacular Foyers Falls, Julie explains that understanding the Gaelic language is the best way to form a true connection with the landscape.  Host

Mar 14, 2019 • 51:02

Stick in the Wheel on the Road to Epping Forest

Stick in the Wheel’s music has been described as “precision folk with anger, lust and blood.” The band’s founders Nicola Kearey and Ian Carter take Matthew Bannister for a walk through their East London stomping grounds, starting in a Victorian weaver’s house in Spitalfields, taking in Walthamstow Market and ending up in Epping Forest where they’re joined by fiddle player Ellie Wilson. Along the way they sing songs that reflect the chequered history of the East End of London.  Hosted on Acast. S

Feb 14, 2019 • 43:29

Fisherman‘s Friends in Port Isaac

Jon Cleave and Billy Hawkins of Fisherman’s Friends take Matthew Bannister for a walk around their beautiful home village of Port Isaac in Cornwall, telling tales and singing songs inspired by the seafaring history of the area. They invite us to fall in love with “The Maid of Madeira”, marvel at two ‘doubloons’ picked up in the harbour by Jon’s Uncle Andy, pay tribute to the fallen Cornish lads of the First World War in “First and Last” and shed a tear with “The Last Widow”, as she bemoans a tra

Jan 17, 2019 • 48:28

Kerry Andrew/You Are Wolf at the Brockwell Lido

Kerry Andrew has been described by Robert Macfarlane as “a writer and musician of frankly alarming talent”. She is a composer, novelist and vocalist who performs alt folk under the name You Are Wolf. In this episode she takes Matthew for a walk from her flat in South London, through surprisingly green parkland, to the historic Brockwell Lido where she persuades him to take a dip. Along the way she demonstrates her multi layered vocal technique and sings songs from her albums “Hawk to the Hunting

Dec 13, 2018 • 44:42

Seth Lakeman on Dartmoor

Seth Lakeman is the Mercury Music Prize nominated singer, fiddle player and guitarist who will forever be associated with Dartmoor. He grew up in the village of Buckland Monachorum with his two brothers Sean and Sam who are also key players on the folk scene. In this episode Seth takes Matthew to the village church to re-create his 2004 recording ""Cape Clear"", to the local school to sing “An Educated Man” and to the hills above the Burrator Reservoir where he performs “Kitty Jay”, “The White H

Nov 15, 2018 • 51:18

Jon Boden in the Loxley Valley

The former Bellowhead lead singer takes Matthew on a walk near his home on the outskirts of Sheffield. This landscape inspired his 2009 album “Songs from the Floodplain”, which creates a vision of a post apocalyptic future when industrial architecture is decaying and people are returning to a more rural way of life. As they walk down the valley, Jon sings “Going Down to the Wasteland”; by a whirlpool in the River Loxley, he performs ""April Queen." Next we visit a disused brick factory - where e

Oct 18, 2018 • 47:07

Season 2 Trailer

A first chance to hear some extracts from Season 2 of Folk on Foot. This time we'll be walking with: Jon Boden in the Loxley Valley; Seth Lakeman on Dartmoor; Kerry Andrew at the Brockwell Lido; Fisherman’s Friends in Port Isaac; Stick in the Wheel on the road to Epping Forest; Julie Fowlis on the shores of Loch Ness. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oct 12, 2018 • 11:23

Bonus Episode: Six Songs from Season 1

Featuring: Eliza Carthy and Family: “Some Old Salty”;  Steve Knightley: “The Dive”;  Cara Dillon and Sam Lakeman: “The Leaving Song”;  The Young’uns: “The Hartlepool Pedlar”; Sam Lee: “The Birds in the Spring”; Karine Polwart: “The Lark In The Clear Air”. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sep 19, 2018 • 27:22

Cara Dillon in Dungiven

The multi award winning singer Cara Dillon and her husband and musical collaborator Sam Lakeman take Matthew on a walk through the countryside around the Northern Irish town of Dungiven where she was born and brought up. Standing on an iron bridge over the River Roe, Cara sings “The Winding River Roe” with the water rippling by in the background. Then they climb the local mountain known as “The Hill of Thieves” which is also the inspiration for one of Cara’s songs. As the rain begins to fall, th

Sep 5, 2018 • 46:02

Steve Knightley on the Exe Trail

Steve Knightley of Show of Hands has been described as “a gravel voiced spokesman for the rural poor”. Many of the songs he writes are inspired by the working people he meets in and around his home town of Topsham in Devon. Steve takes Matthew on a walk from Exmouth - scene of some of his earliest gigs as a teenage musician - along the Exe trail to Topsham. In Exmouth docks Steve performs “The Dive” which tells the true story of a father and son diving drama, as the real life son of the story lo

Aug 29, 2018 • 41:27

Eliza Carthy (and Family) in Robin Hood's Bay

Eliza Carthy inherited her love of English music from her famous folk singing parents, Martin Carthy and Norma Waterson. Norma recently suffered a serious illness and Eliza moved back to the family home in the North Yorkshire fishing village of Robin Hood’s Bay to look after her. Eliza takes Matthew on a walk along the cliffs near her home, reflecting on her family heritage and then on to the farm where the whole extended family used to live when she was a child. Martin, Norma and Eliza’s aunt A

Aug 22, 2018 • 53:37

Sam Lee singing with Nightingales in Sussex

Mercury music prize nominee Sam Lee is a folk singer, a countryman and an impresario. In this episode of Folk on Foot he invites Matthew to join him in a Sussex wood in the middle of the night as he leads a group of people on a silent walk to hear him sing with a nightingale. The next day Sam and Matthew retrace their steps in daylight, reflecting on the power of this mystical experience. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Aug 15, 2018 • 43:17

Karine Polwart at Fala Moor

Karine Polwart’s solo theatre piece “Wind Resistance” and album “A Pocket of Wind Resistance” were inspired by Fala Moor near her home in Midlothian just south of Edinburgh. She takes Matthew for a walk across the Moor which is a haven for wildlife. As she sings you can hear skylarks and curlews flying around her. Karine tells stories of the people who lived near the moor and the monastic hospital which stood nearby where pioneering herbal treatments were invented. And she reflects on her own li

Aug 8, 2018 • 52:31

The Young'uns in Hartlepool

The Young’uns are three award winning troubadours from Teeside. Sean Cooney, David Eagle and Michael Hughes take Matthew Bannister on a walk round the historic headland of Hartlepool where Sean used to live in a shed in his parents’ back garden. Along the way they tell stories and sing songs inspired by the location, visiting the medieval Sandwell Gate, St Hilda’s Church and the Heugh Battery, site of the only First World War battle to take place on British soil. They end up in the Pot House pub

Aug 1, 2018 • 50:50

Season 1 Trailer

A taster of what is coming up in our first season of Folk on Foot. You'll hear extracts from Karine Polwart on Fala Moor, the Young'uns in Hartlepool and Steve Knightley on the Exe Trail. More details at folkonfoot.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jul 29, 2018 • 11:44