Organisers have announced former Mercury Prize nominee Nick Mulvey as the final Main Stage act for this summer's Folk by the Oak 2023 festival in Hertfordshire.
Folk by the Oak is an uplifting summer festival of the finest folk, roots and acoustic music in the beautiful leafy parkland of Hatfield House.
It will return to Hatfield Park on Sunday, July 16.
Promoters of the Hertfordshire music festival are renowned for bringing together a ‘line-up of headliners’.
They began their 2023 line-up announcements in storming style, with legendary The Whole of The Moon band The Waterboys announced to perform for the first time, plus a welcome return for the remarkable and innovative indie-folk act This is the Kit.
Today, the FBTO Main Stage line-up is completed by the addition of Mercury Prize nominee and remarkable singer-songwriter Nick Mulvey.
Led by the dynamic and brilliant Scottish guitarist/vocalist Mike Scott, The Waterboys has been a source of musical joy to a legion of die-hard fans since the release of their self-titled album in 1983.
They are best known for songs The Whole of the Moon and Fisherman's Blues.
On announcing this iconic band, festival director Adam Slough said: “We always strive to bring an incredible live performance to close our Main Stage, and few bands have as great a live reputation as The Waterboys, so we’re thrilled that they are headlining Folk by the Oak 2023.”
Also making their first appearance at the one day festival is Nick Mulvey.
With an abundance of genres at his fingertips, Mulvey has created a sound that is both striking and unique, intertwining influences of great musicians such as Nick Drake, Joni Mitchell and Tom Waits with a variety of African and Afro-Hispanic styles.
“We are really excited to be completing our Main Stage line-up by announcing Nick Mulvey and are expecting a blissful and beguiling performance in our beautiful tree-lined arena,” said Adam.
Another beguiling act on the festival’s Main Stage is the remarkable This is the Kit.
The Ivor Novello-nominated musical project of the hugely gifted Kate Stables has a reputation for live performances as enthralling as their innovative songwriting, as anyone who saw them perform at Folk by the Oak 2017 will no doubt agree.
Next to be added to the Hatfield music festival’s bill was Sona Jobarteh, Africa’s first female griot kora virtuoso.
Unusually for a kora player, Sona is backed by a full band of electric guitar, bass and two percussionists, and she herself plays percussion, bass, guitar, and cello as well as kora, so this promises to be a standout afternoon set at Folk by the Oak.
Also making their first appearance at the festival is The Longest Johns, who are known for their exuberant live shows.
Their repertoire encompasses both the legendary folk songs that fuel the band’s passion for the genre, alongside thrilling original offerings, all paying homage to protest singers and folk luminaries through the years.
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Returning to open the Hatfield festival’s main arena are three hugely talented British folk musicians in the guise of Lady Maisery.
“Since they last joined us in 2015 we have closely followed the artistic endeavours of this exceptional trio,” said Adam, “and having recently enjoyed a live performance, featuring material from their new album Tender, we were in no doubt that it was time to invite this hugely talented band back to our festival.
"A simply beautiful way to open our Main Stage!”
Already announced to headline the festival’s Acorn Stage is Cut Capers, a band known for their energetic live performances and infectious sound that has won them a cult following on the British festival scene.
This makes them a perfect fit for closing Folk by the Oak’s second stage.
Also announced for the Acorn Stage is The Wilderness Yet, a new trio combining the acclaimed talents of folk singer Rosie Hodgson, traditional fiddler Rowan Piggott, and guitarist-flautist Philippe Barnes.
More Acorn Stage announcements are expected soon.
Tickets for Folk by the Oak cost from £51 until March 31. Children pay £21, and ages four and under are free. Family and group offers are available and 50p from every ticket sold is donated to charity partner Willow
Visit www.folkbytheoak.com for more on FBTO.
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