Sound Roots

20/08/2026

EFN Talking Points Online is a new series of online conversations bringing together different voices to explore issues that matter to the folk community. Take note: 15th September, 12:00 CEST

David Agnew is one of our panellists. He is the Chief Executive of Sound Roots – a charity based in Manchester, UK committed to developing opportunities and development for folk roots and acoustic artists based in or from England. Our flagship event is our annual showcase, ( English Folk Expo ) which runs alongside Manchester Folk Festival for 3 days across 10 venues in March. Sound Roots also delivers talent development programmes including mentoring and international exchange projects, commissions touring projects, Britain and Ireland Folk Albums of the Year, the Official Charts Monthly Folk Album Chart and promotes concerts throughout Greater Manchester. Sound Roots is supported by Arts Council England and Greater Manchester Combined Authority and is a PRSF Talent Development Network member.
Previously he has worked as Artistic Director with The Met in Bury, Founder and Artistic Director with Manchester Folk Festival, Ramsbottom Festival and Head for the Hills Festival. David is on the board of Association of Independent Festivals (UK) , Access Folk and the Greater Manchester Music Commission.
Learn more in http://www.soundroots.uk

➡️ Register to attend: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/EJvTL4fZSpqXpg8RYS6low

20/08/2026

FolkEast bound? We’ll see you there! 👋

Tomorrow, our outstanding 2026/2027 Artist Mentoring Pathway cohort will be performing at The Barn between 1pm and 5.30pm.

Multi-award-winning harp and percussion duo Eleanor Dunsdon & Gregor Black, two-man trad tornado Arthur Coates & Kerran Cotterell, progressive alt-folk artist Ceitidh Mac and Something Sleeps, a dream-folk band known for their breathtaking harmonies, will all grace the stage at Sotterley Estate.

Come and support this exceptional collection of artists - we hope to see you there!

14/08/2026

📢 Sound Roots Artist Mentoring Pathway 2027/2028 – Applications Now Open 📢

We’re looking for our next cohort of emerging folk, roots and acoustic artists!

Our flagship 12-month pathway is designed to help early-career musicians take the next step, building their industry knowledge, professional networks and profile, while gaining experience performing at some of the UK’s leading folk events.

If you’re new to Sound Roots, this is an opportunity to develop the skills, connections and confidence to navigate the music industry, reach new audiences and build a sustainable career, including support to become export ready.

And if you’ve applied before, we’d love to hear from you again!

📩 Find out more and apply now via the link in the comments.
📅 Closing date: Friday 25 September, 11:59pm

Thanks to our funders, including Jerwood Foundation, PRS Foundation Talent Development Network, Greater Manchester Combined Authority Culture Fund, The Leche Trust and Arts Council England, whose support makes our Artist Mentoring Pathway possible.

📸 Pictured: Anna McLuckie, photographed by Mark Lear at EFEx 2026

10/08/2026

Help Shape the Future of Sound Roots 🌱

Sound Roots is expanding its Board of Trustees and looking for people with a connection to, or working understanding of, folk music in England.

We’re particularly interested in expertise across partnerships & networks, music sector knowledge, international development and finance.

We’re keen to hear from people from underrepresented backgrounds, including global majority, LGBTQIA+, disabled, neurodivergent and working-class communities, as well as people with caring responsibilities.

Apply via the Sound Roots website or link in the comments.

📅 Deadline: midnight, Sunday 27 September
📸 Sam Lee photographed by Mark Lear

07/08/2026

Have you released a folk album this year that deserves to be heard? 💿✨

Sound Roots and Folk on Foot have opened submissions for the Folk Album of the Year Award 2026, inviting artists, labels and publishers to submit eligible albums for consideration.

The award aims to showcase the breadth and diversity of folk music across Britain and Ireland, celebrating originality, artistic quality and cultural impact, regardless of commercial profile.

Following a hugely successful inaugural year that reached more than 50,000 people online and attracted a global livestream audience of more than 10,000 viewers, Barry Kerr was crowned the 2025 winner for his album 'Curlew's Cry'. He emerged from a shortlist that showcased some of the most exciting voices in folk music, including Peggy Seeger, Joshua Burnside, Edith WeUtonga Katiji (pictured), Grace Stewart-Skinner Clàrsach and many more.

Entry fees are £60 (£50 + VAT), with all income reinvested into running the project, supporting participating artists and delivering the event. In return, all shortlisted artists receive dedicated publicity, extensive media coverage and exposure through the Folk on Foot network. The award is managed by Sound Roots, a registered charity.

Entries can be submitted via the Sound Roots website or by using the application form linked in the comments 👇

05/08/2026

Something exciting is on the horizon...

This Friday at midday, submissions open for the Folk Album of the Year Award 2026.

If you've released an album you think deserves to be heard, keep an eye on our channels for everything you need to know 👀

📸 Photo credit: Grace Stewart-Skinner Clàrsach photographed by Chris Payne at the Folk Album of the Year 2025 award ceremony

16/07/2026

14/07/2026

Tomorrow, 15th July, the incredible duo Tamsin Elliott & Tarek Elazhary will be performing at Festival International De Dougga in Tunisia! A masterful duo, together they explore the idiosyncrasies of both Egyptian and English folk traditions.

This opportunity has come around thanks to our collaboration with Akacia Productions and British Council Tunisia funding. Now in its third year, our partnership seeks to create opportunities for artists from both Tunisia and England. This builds on 2025's successes, which saw BROUA perform at English Folk Expo in Manchester and Lily Lyons at Dougga International Festival.

Our CEO David Agnew says: "The partnership with Akacia has developed from Ben Saïd Mohamed attending English Folk Expo and WOMEX in Manchester in 2024 to Sound Roots engaging with the wider Tunisian festival industry to increase its global reach and connections, while opening up international opportunities for folk artists in England. The mutual learning is incredible and inspiring.”

09/07/2026

English Folk Expo and Music PEI (Prince Edward Island, Canada) are proud to unveil the artists selected for the fourth edition of our special international exchange: Bev Lee Harling (England) and Tara MacLean Music (Canada) 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🤝🇨🇦

Singer, violinist and composer Bev Lee Harling will travel to Canada this September for three days of writing and recording with acclaimed singer-songwriter and author Tara McLean, before showcasing at Showcase PEI.

Following their time in Canada, both artists will reunite in Manchester for a further three days of writing and rehearsing ahead of showcasing at English Folk Expo (10–12 March 2027).

We're thrilled to be bringing these two exceptional artists together and can't wait to see where this exciting transatlantic collaboration leads.

📷 Photo credit: Georgie Scott

20/05/2026

Our Chief Executive David Agnew will be featuring on the RNCM Music Industry Panel: Music Education, the Grassroots Scene and Beyond ⭐️

Alongside DJ Deb Grant from BBC6Music and artist Nyah Grace, this panel will explore the question where does music education sit in the real world of gigs, radio, and industry work? 🎵

Listen in on the conversation around how careers begin and build, and the wider context that supports that journey alongside formal study. Book your free ticket on the RNCM website 🎟️🔗

📆 Tuesday 9 June
🕐 1pm
📍RNCM Lecture Theatre, 124 Oxford Road, M13 9RD

Photo by Harry Proctor 📸