Part of Manchester Folk Festival 2027
Describing herself simply as a “modern English musician”, Eliza Carthy is one of the most recognisable faces of the English folk revival, and over her illustrious 35-year career, remains one of the most original and engaging performers of her generation.
She has received an MBE; numerous BBC R2 Folk Awards; two Mercury Prize nominations; was the first English traditional musician to be nominated for a BBC R3 Award for World Music, and in 2021 became President of the English Folk Dance & Song Society.
Born into a formidable musical dynasty, her mother Norma was one of The Watersons and her father Martin Carthy is a hugely influential singer and guitarist, the incredible range of traditional and contemporary musicians who were part of the extended Waterson/Carthy world helped her develop her own unique approach to music.
Launching head-on into the UK folk scene in the early 90s, she quickly became one of its great innovators. Championed from an early age by the likes of John Peel, Andy Kershaw & Billy Bragg, Eliza has rarely stood still artistically.
From the purest unaccompanied traditional songs to original music incorporating myriad influences, she has moved through English folk music like a force of nature, both stirring it up & putting it back on the map, and as a member of big bands The Imagined Village, and the musical force-of-nature that was The Wayward Band she has headlined main stages at festivals around the world.
Manchester Folk Festival marks 10 years with Eliza Carthy & The Restitution, Belinda O’Hooley & Jackie Oates, Spiers & Boden, Leveret, Olivia Chaney, Fionn Regan, Pokey LaFarge, Catrin Finch & Aoife Ní Bhriain and many more performing from Wednesday 10th – Saturday 13th March 2027.
Manchester Folk Festival is a multi-venue festival taking place in the heart of the city, bringing together a diverse range of artists who represent the broad definition of contemporary folk music. Discover the best traditional folk, roots and acoustic music across a variety of the city’s iconic music venues.
Their four-day Festival Legends 2027 wristbands offer full access to every gig, session, ceilidh and event during the festival – you can book those here. Individual tickets for all headline shows are also now available.
“Arguably the UK’s leading urban folk festival, which given its relatively short history is a real endorsement of the event” – BBC Radio
