2015

feels a very long time ago! A simpler time, before Brexit, before Covid, when politics was dull.

Over that first decade, we had carved out a distinctive identity, blending folk, Americana, world music and psychedelia into a sound that felt uniquely Moseley Folk. While our line-ups occasionally stretched beyond those boundaries, one principle never wavered: uncompromising musical quality.

The 2015 programme embodied that ethos perfectly, although for some, we had pushed the boundaries for a Folk Festival a little too far. Festivalgoers could hardly believe their eyes when THE Monkees were announced as headliners, joined by Spiritualized and Idlewild in what became one of our most controversial line-ups to date.

Most doubters did actually enjoy the Monkees unforgettable set, culminating in ‘The Porpoise Song’ performed on stage with Polyphonic Spree – emotional stuff! Backstage, they were good fun. Mickey Dolenz walked past us, feigning an out-of-tune and croaky ‘Last Train to Clarksville, ’ but they were pitch perfect on set – true legends.

2015 was also a year of spotting talent on the cusp of greatness. Blossoms appeared on our Lunar Stage long before their meteoric rise, playing to a crowd who would later watch them go on to sell out arenas and stadiums. Platforming artists at that pivotal moment, before the spotlight fully finds them, is something we’ve always treasured, and moments like this capture the joy of discovery at the heart of our festival.

Community has always been the keystone of Moseley Folk, and our tenth year embraced that spirit more than ever. 2015 saw more workshops, storytelling and music sessions, as well as the Old Dance School hosting a ceilidh at Moseley Dance Centre. Instrument workshops introduced festivalgoers to guitar, ukulele and bones, and our younger audience was given a platform through Young Folk Musicians Sessions with the Birmingham Youth Folk Band (it’s never too early to spark a lifelong love of folk music!).

2015 saw a change of hands behind the bar and a new team headed by Katy Stone, backed up by Kirsty, Sam, Harrison, Connor and Rob took the reins. We welcomed new bar concessions Wine & Fizz, Cocktails and Red Rum and our backstage bar Airlock later the Black Swan was born. Artists could safely venture out of their dressing rooms without fear of being accosted by over-zealous fans, and could, if they wanted, share a pint with our guest and crew.

Landlord, The Dark Lord (DJX), backed up by his loyal team, Deb, Lorna, Richard & Dan, to name a few, have made The Black Swan one of the best festival backstage bars you’ll find. Always full of colourful characters and the odd celebrity musician, it’s like a mythical ghost pub that appears for only 2 weekends a year and then it’s gone back into the mist with only echoes of Burt whispering through the willow branches….

By 2015, Moseley Folk had become far more than a music festival. It was, and remains, a true community celebration, bringing together families, friends and neighbours of all ages and backgrounds to sing, dance, connect and create memories that last a lifetime.