Oxford Folk Weekend organiser and singer Cat Kelly tells Tim Hughes why this year’s line-up of top local and national acts is set to make it an event to remember

The sound of fiddles, close harmony singing, morris bells and clanking tankards will fill the streets of Oxford this weekend as the city celebrates three days of sweet folk music.

For the third year running, the cream of national and local talent come together for Oxford’s Folk Weekend – and event director Cat Kelly proudly admits it’s going to be a cracker.

“The line-up is amazing,” said the singer and music lover who founded the event after the demise of the former Oxford Folk Festival. “From local to national, we have picked the best and don’t think people will be disappointed.

“It’s an important event in the city’s cultural calendar and I’m looking forward to it; it’s going to be really exciting.”

Music and dancing takes place at venues across the city centre, from pubs and cafes to the Pitt Rivers Museum, Randolph Hotel and Castle Mound, as well as out in the streets themselves, with the Old Fire Station at the epicentre.

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Blackbeard’s Tea Party

Highlights include female duo O’Hooley & Tidow, Henley singer-songwriter Megan Henwood, Lester Simpson (one third of vocal harmony trio Coope, Boyes & Simpson), humorous country-bluegrass band Police Dog Hogan, mesmerising dark folk act Telling the Bees, BBC Radio 2 Folk Award nominees Josienne Clarke & Ben Walker, and singer-songwriter and eight-string guitarist Lisbee Stainton.

“It’s going to have quite a different feel to it than last year,” says Cat, who lives in Stanton St John. “The line-up still has a lot of trad stuff but it’s a bit more contemporary and original. It will be really interesting to see how the audience reacts to it.”

She said the resurgence of interest in all things ‘folk’ had translated itself in the form of high quality acts and bigger audiences. “Folk in itself has been getting a higher profile and has never been cooler,” she says. “In Oxford there is a great folk scene which is buried until you know where to look. “So as well as getting high quality acts from other places, we are showcasing what happens in Oxford on a daily basis.”

Oxford Mail:

Police Dog Hogan

One venue, the OFS Gallery, is dedicated entirely to local acts.

“There should be something for everyone from Friday until the finale on Sunday,” says Cat. “And we think people will find music they love for the whole time.”

Cat’s Top Tips:

  • Blackbeard’s Tea Party (St Columba’s Church Hall, tomorrow, 8pm).

“They are high energy and like to leap around. Expect a great band who are great for dancing to. This one will be a real free for all.”

  • Megan Henwood (Pitt Rivers Annexe, Sunday, 3pm).

“Megan is an amazing storyteller who has got something to say, and who does it in a beautiful voice. She connects with the audience and makes the listener float along to her songs.”

  • James Bell (OFS Theatre, tomorrow, 8pm and Half Moon, Sunday 9pm).

“James is always worth a watch and is a good laugh. He is a traditional artist but sings in a great indie-punk style.”

  • Josienne Clarke & Ben Walker (OFS, Saturday 11.45am).

“Expect traditional folk in a modern singer-songwriter style. It’s great to sit and listen to.”

  • Police Dog Hogan (OFS Theatre, tomorrow, 8pm).

“Police Dog Hogan are so much fun. They have such a great energy and bluegrass style and pull the audience along. “Even when they are singing about something silly, they do so as brilliant musicians.”

Lester Simpson (St Columba’s Church Hall, Saturday, 4.30pm).

“Lester sings profound songs in a brilliant voice and accompanies himself on melodian. He’s amazing.”

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Oxford Folk Weekend starts tomorrow. Weekend tickets are £49 for adults. Concs and day tickets are also available.
Go to folkweekendoxford.co.uk

O'Hooley and Tidow play folk with attitude. Read full interview here...

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Megan Henwood