New in this month’s Official Folk Albums Chart is “Eternal Birth” from the Ranagri flautist @elizamarshall.bsky.social. The album celebrates the cycle of life - and our relationship with nature. ▶️ Watch the full Chart Show here: youtu.be/UxtdKN4OOxk

Up 16 places in this month’s Official Folk Albums Chart is the album “Troubled Horses” from @martynjosephwales.bsky.social. It features heartfelt and moving songs like this. ▶️ Watch the full Chart Show here: youtu.be/UxtdKN4OOxk

And we're off! Join us on YouTube now for this month's Chart Show, featuring music from @elizamarshall.bsky.social, @lisaknappmusic.bsky.social & @gerrydiver.bsky.social, @martynjosephwales.bsky.social, Nathan Evans & SAINT PHNX and more. ▶️ Tune in here: youtu.be/UxtdKN4OOxk

It's almost time! Join us on YouTube at 7pm GMT, as we count down this month's top 40 folk albums.

This month’s Chart Show features music from @elizamarshall.bsky.social, @lisaknappmusic.bsky.social & @gerrydiver.bsky.social, @martynjosephwales.bsky.social, @jamesyorkston.bsky.social & Johanna Söderberg, Nathan Evans & SAINT PHNX and more. ▶️ Tune in tonight from 1900 GMT: youtu.be/UxtdKN4OOxk

Here we come a-wassailing at @cecilsharphouse.bsky.social with @jimcausley.bsky.social - a fine crop of apples is guaranteed come the autumn!

Behind almost every door in the village of Pathhead, Midlothian lies an extraordinary musical talent. Join us to re-live the joy of opening those doors and hearing the music inside in this classic episode from 2022. 🎧 Listen now: pod.fo/e/38063d @laumusic.bsky.social @corrinahewat.bsky.social

As we sit by a campfire in Devon, Sam Lee shares his love of the Padstow 'Obby 'Oss Mayday tradition in our new episode, out now. 🎧 Listen here: pod.fo/e/379be9 With The Ffern Folk Guild.

👀 Ever seen a giant? Artist and Boss Morris dancer @alexmerryart.bsky.social explains that there are more around than you might think, and how deeply the tradition of giant-making is rooted in our history. 🎧 Hear more in our new episode, out now: pod.fo/e/379be9

Want to be in with a chance of winning a pair of tickets to the Folk Album of the Year Award gala at Rochdale Town Hall on 17th March? Sign up as a Folk on Foot member by midnight on 23rd January to get in the draw. ✍️ Sign up here: www.patreon.com/folkonfoot With @soundrootsuk.bsky.social.

In our new episode, out now, artist Ben Edge shares his fascination with the traditions of the Abbots Bromley Horn Dance. 🎧 Listen here: pod.fo/e/379be9 With The Ffern Folk Guild.

In our new episode - out now - Charlie Cooper describes his close encounter with the flaming tar barrels of Ottery St Mary. 🎧 Find out more here: pod.fo/e/379be9 With The Ffern Folk Guild.

Why are more and more young people fascinated by folk music and customs? And why does it matter? Zakia Sewell joins @alexmerryart.bsky.social, Ben Edge, Charlie Cooper and Sam Lee to discuss it round a campfire in Devon, in our new episode with the Ffern Folk Guild. 🎧 Listen here: pod.fo/e/379be9

With over 80% of tickets sold for the Indoor Festival of Folk, book now to avoid missing out! If you’re missing sunny summer folk festivals, this is the perfect tonic for the winter blues; a stellar line-up of the country's finest folk artists all in our cosy London venue. Sat 7 Feb bit.ly/4qC4y0c

🆕 New episode out now: join us round the campfire in Devon with @alexmerryart.bsky.social, Ben Edge, Charlie Cooper, Sam Lee and Zakia Sewell discussing why folk music and customs are fascinating a new generation - and why that matters. 🎧 Listen here: pod.fo/e/379be9 With The Ffern Folk Guild.

Wintry music on this month’s Official Folk Albums Chart Show from @lauracannellmusic.bsky.social - a new entry at #21 with "Brightly Shone the Moon". ▶️ Watch the full show here: youtu.be/Fe3ae42KL8A

This beautiful piano version of "Evelyn" by @michaelmcgovernn.bsky.social features in this month’s Official Folk Albums Chart Show. ▶️ Watch the full show here: youtu.be/Fe3ae42KL8A

Big announcement from Matthew: how to get exclusive tickets to the Folk Album of the Year Award Show at Rochdale Town Hall on 17th March. 👉 Sign up as a Folk on Foot member here to be in the draw: folkonfoot.com/supportus In partnership with @soundrootsuk.bsky.social.

It's almost time! Join us on YouTube from 7pm GMT for this month's Chart Show, featuring music from @themagpiearc.bsky.social, @katerusby.bsky.social, @lauracannellmusic.bsky.social, St. Agnes Fountain, Skinny Lister and Michael McGovern. ▶️ Watch here: youtu.be/Fe3ae42KL8A

On this month’s Chart Show, Matthew reveals how you can win exclusive tickets to the Folk Album of the Year Award gig on 17th March. Plus, there's music from The Magpie Arc, Kate Rusby, Laura Cannell, St. Agnes Fountain, Skinny Lister and Michael McGovern. Watch from 7pm GMT: youtu.be/Fe3ae42KL8A

Happy new year from Salut!! Folk. Our last look at the Folk Album of the Year nominees @nextwavef.bsky.social @folkonfoot.com @matthewbannister.bsky.social @soundrootsuk.bsky.social salutfolk.com/2025/12/31/p...

Andrew Curry’s epic coverage of the Folk Albums of the Year nominees continues with @poorcreaturemusic.bsky.social @spaffordcampbell.bsky.social #gracestewart-skinner @matthewbannister.bsky.social @folkonfoot.com @soundrootsuk.bsky.social @nextwavef.bsky.social salutfolk.com/2025/12/29/g...

@matthewbannister.bsky.social you may like to know that Salut! Folk has published the first of three pieces showcasing the Folk Album of the Year nominees @nextwavef.bsky.social @soundrootsuk.bsky.social @folkonfoot.com salutfolk.com/2025/12/27/2...

Merry Christmas from all of us at Folk on Foot! 1️⃣ On the first day of Christmas, Folk on Foot gave to me - a baggy cloth cat from Sandra Kerr (Bagpuss!). Listen to the episode: pod.fo/e/214afa

Step into the Irish Christmas spirit, as Caitríona O’Leary shares the traditional carols of Wexford in this classic episode of Folk on Foot from 2022. 🎧 Listen here: pod.fo/e/36afec

On the way to a ‘Lefty Christmas’ gig with Grace Petrie, @maddiemorris.bsky.social stops off in Marsden to sing a song of compassion for those who don’t have contact with family and friends at Christmas. Hear more in our Winterfolk in West Yorkshire episode, out now. 🎧 Listen here: pod.fo/e/366708

🌲 Christmas time is here... We have our mid-winter festive concert tonight at Wrecking Ball Arts Centre in Hull! So many of you have been in touch to tell us you're coming. We can't wait to continue our little festive tradition. wreckingballmusic.myshopify.com/products/kat...

🎄 As we record “Silent Night” with Katie Spencer sitting by her Christmas tree, there’s a knock at the door. Who could it be? Find out more in our Winterfolk in West Yorkshire episode - out now. 🎧 Listen here: pod.fo/e/366708

A beautiful version of Stille Nacht - or Silent Night - sung by O'Hooley & Tidow in our Winterfolk in West Yorkshire episode - out now. 🎄 For more seasonal songs - listen here: pod.fo/e/366708

What does Christmas mean to you? For @maddiemorris.bsky.social, it starts with taking music to care homes in West Yorkshire. Hear more in our Winterfolk episode - out now. 🎧 Listen here: pod.fo/e/366708

A gorgeous guitar version of “Silent Night” played by @katiespencermusic.bsky.social in Golcar, as we go in search of Winterfolk in West Yorkshire in our new episode, out now. 🎧 Listen here: pod.fo/e/366708

“Deck the hall with a crocheted Christmas tree” - that’s what the volunteers at “the Cathedral of the Colne Valley” have done, ready for the Christmas homecoming gig by O'Hooley & Tidow. Hear more seasonal joy in our Winterfolk in West Yorkshire episode, out now. 🎧 Listen here: pod.fo/e/366708

Such a joy to be a part of the festive episode of Folk On Foot this year!

This Christmas, pay a Podcast visit to the Colne Valley for some Darkwoods coffee, and wonder-filled folk music recorded in St Bartholomew's Church, Marsden courtesy of Folk on Foot. Yes, I photo-bombed the trailer. 🤗🥳 @leeds.anglican.org @folkonfoot.com

We’ve got just three more of our Christmas concerts left to go this week … come along and get in the seasonal mood. Tonight - Shires Oast, Paddock Wood, Kent. Wed 17th - Llantrisant Folk Club Thu 18th - Livermead Cliff Hotel, Torquay

✨ New episode out now: come with us in search of Winterfolk in West Yorkshire, as we gather seasonal songs from @katiespencermusic.bsky.social, @maddiemorris.bsky.social and O’Hooley and Tidow. A warm glow is guaranteed! 🎧 Listen here: pod.fo/e/366708

This month, Matthew was a guest on "Found Sounds", a series from the podcast, "As the Season Turns". On a walk through the Wildbrooks of Amberley in West Sussex with Alice Boyd, talk naturally fell to folk music. 🎧 Listen here, or wherever you get your podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/f...

www.mixcloud.com/Jimbobfagan/... If you missed my chat with Sam Hindley and @jamesfagan.bsky.social on Sheffield Live this morning - you can hear my 8 musical choices and the stories behind them here (plus a look at the Folk Album of the Year shortlist)

Folk on Foot have made episodes like these for every single shortlisted album for the Folk Album of the Year Award ... I have to say I have absolutely enjoyed listening to them to give an insight in to how these albums get made ... and a musical introduction to those I'm less familiar with.

This is well worth a listen ... especially if you're not a Welsh speaker ... Owen's explanations of the words and poetry in his album and how they relate to his home landscape and the human history that created the culture he lives in resonated hugely with me. That's exactly how I connect to place.

Big band, big impact. Gigspanner Big Band’s “Turnstone” is nominated for Folk Album of the Year. In our new episode, out now, Peter Knight, Hannah Martin and @johnspiers.co.uk reveal the stories behind the songs and discuss the band's unique chemistry. ▶️ Watch here: youtu.be/YyMz1vyPp54

Tomorrow on Thank Goodness It's Folk, @matthewbannister.bsky.social will be choosing his Kelham Island Discs, as well as chatting about his broadcasting career so far and the Folk Album of the Year Award shortlist. 🎧 Tune in on 12th December from 10am GMT - live.sheffieldlive.org:8000/shefflive.mp3

The latest pioneering album from Ireland’s vibrant folk scene, “All Smiles Tonight” by @poorcreaturemusic.bsky.social, is nominated for the Folk Album of the Year Award. In our new episode, the trio tell Matthew the inspiration behind their atmospheric debut. ▶️ Watch here: youtu.be/ZfpbBo3WscY

One of the Folk Albums of the Year is out today - and so is our special profile of the artist who made it. Singer and bass player Edith WeUtonga tells the moving and uplifting story behind her album “Varipasi” in conversation with @matthewbannister.bsky.social. ▶️ Watch here: youtu.be/j9GZTr5v8oQ

🆕 New episode out now. As she celebrates her 90th birthday, Peggy Seeger has made her final album, “Teleology”. With her son Calum MacColl (who produced it), she tells the story behind the Folk Album of the Year nominated work. ▶️ Watch here: youtu.be/xZJwfI7f1GY

We’re nearly at the end of our @biggive.bsky.social #ChristmasChallenge. Thanks to your incredible support, we’re 77% of the way to our target. Please help us to raise a final £2,710, with all donations going directly towards supporting our youth folk activities. Donate now: bit.ly/4pT7C6V

Clarsach (Scottish harp) player Grace Stewart-Skinner was inspired by a recording of her grandfather reciting a poem in the Scots dialect of his Black Isle fishing village. This formed the grounding for Folk Album of the Year nominee, “Auchies Spikkin Auchie”. ▶️ Find out more: youtu.be/aCCUc0FDHu8

The experience of becoming a father inspired Joshua Burnside's Folk Album of the Year Nominee “Teeth of Time”. Hear the story behind the album as Joshua talks to Matthew Bannister in our new episode, out now. ▶️ Watch here: youtu.be/H-UWzGUd9k0

New episode out now. Delve into the heritage of Welsh poetry, agriculture, fishing, milk processing and, of course, music as @cynefinmusic.bsky.social shares the story behind his beautiful Folk Album of the Year nominated work, “Shimli”. ▶️ Watch here: youtu.be/M6KaihSSoHY

Hear the story behind the Folk Album of the Year nominated “Tomorrow Held” by @spaffordcampbell.bsky.social, as the duo talk to @matthewbannister.bsky.social in a special episode of Folk on Foot, out now. ▶️ Watch here: youtu.be/ViXqEXCz61Q