Kevin Rowland’s triumphant return to Birmingham and Irish star CMAT among the many highlights of 2024’s Moseley Folk & Arts Festival
Plus 2025 dates and first headliner announced: Fisherman’s Friends
Stellar sets from Dexys, CMAT, Flogging Molly, The Scratch and Belle and Sebastian were among the many highlights at another packed Moseley Folk and Arts Festival this weekend (Friday 30 August to 1 September 2024).
Wrapping up Saturday night (31 Aug), Dexys’ Kevin Rowland recalled their formative days in Birmingham, and how they’d “terrorise” bands from the suburb of Moseley. With a highly theatrical set, Rowland – in superb voice – led the six-piece through such hits as Geno, Jackie Wilson Said and, of course, Come On Eileen, to rapturous applause.
The popular three-day music and arts festival kicked off on Friday 30 August 2024 with raucous and energetic sets from The Scratch and Irish/ Americans Flogging Molly, before the return of Brighton’s Levellers.
Meanwhile, Birmingham singer-songwriter Katherine Priddy held audiences spellbound on the Saturday afternoon, and Tuareg guitarist Mdou Moctar leapt onto the speakers at the front of the stage to whip the crowd into a swirl on Sunday. Kate Rusby‘s husband and guitarist, Damien O’Kane, also celebrated his 46th birthday on stage with a chorus of Happy Birthday and a caterpillar birthday cake,
The final day also included the festival’s traditional Procession, featuring an array of woodland creatures and a giant corn dolly, and a joyous closing set from Scottish pop legends Belle and Sebastian – who invited ten lucky dancing fans onto the stage for two songs.
But it was the BRIT Award-nominated CMAT who was arguably the festival’s most talked about artist. Attracting a throng of cowboy hat and boot wearing fans from as far as Scotland, the confident and energetic Irish songwriter confessed to her folk roots, and treated festival-goers to a surprise take on traditional 18th century ballad Willy O’ Winsbury (as previously recorded by Pentangle and others) for the first time ever!
John Fell, Festival Manager, said: “There were so many amazing performances, from Dexys and The Scratch to the breathtaking guitarist Mdou Moctar and, of course, CMAT, while away from the main stages, there was such a lovely chilled-out vibe with our family activities especially popular.”
Over the weekend, event organisers also announced dates for 2025, as well as their first headliner.
Running from Friday 29 to Sunday 31 August 2025, next year’s festival will see Fisherman’s Friends make their much anticipated Moseley Folk and Arts Festival debut.
In anticipation, the group’s Jon Cleave said: “We are so looking forward to coming to Moseley Folk and Arts Festival next summer!”
Hailing from Port Isaac, Cornwall, the famed shanty singers have inspired two hit films and a hugely popular touring stage musical, played Glastonbury’s iconic Pyramid Stage, and regularly sell out such venues as the Royal Albert Hall, London Palladium and Birmingham’s own Symphony Hall (where they appear on Thursday 5 September 2024).
Discounted Tier 1 tickets for 2025’s festival go on General Sale this Friday (6 September 2024) at 10am via: moseleyfolk.co.uk