2019

 in the festival’s story, as we officially became Moseley Folk & Arts: a name that reflected what the festival had already become. In 2019, the park opened up to a wider creative landscape, welcoming an ambitious programme of talks, comedy, workshops and podcasts alongside the music. From woodcarving, sculpture and storytelling to instrument lessons and hands-on craft sessions, the festival expanded into a space for creativity in all its forms.

With the expansion of our arts and cultural programming came an evolution of our branding. The developed identity gave these creative elements the space they deserved, allowing the festival’s visual language to reflect its growing breadth while remaining rooted in the atmosphere people already loved.

We partnered with our friends at the Glee Club to deliver a class comedy line-up including Rob Auton, Bethany Black, Andy Robinson and the supernaturally talented Ian D Montford who’s spirit medium session has to be seen to be believed. And Birmingham Literature Festival hosted sessions with Stephen Morris, Stuart Maconie and Catherine O’Flynn.

Musically, 2019 delivered one of the strongest line-ups in the festival’s history. Fresh from being voted Best Festival in the Midlands by Whatson Magazine, we opened Friday night with joint headliners The Zutons and Public Service Broadcasting, setting the tone for a weekend of standout performances. Saturday belonged to Jake Bugg, who delivered a huge headline set, before Sunday closed with an extraordinary bill featuring Don McLean, Richard Thompson and Peggy Seeger, all sharing the same stage in the intimate surroundings of Moseley Park.

On Sunday, we had a bit of mischief that nearly backfired on us. Fans of Sunday’s headliner, Don Mclean were confused to see English comedian and one-time presenter of Crackerjack, Don Maclean, on stage. Don always game for a laugh, belted out a number about Indian Restaurants, which for a moment we feared might be in the same vein of lesser comedians from that era. But of course not, Don is a true professional and very talented singer and entertainer.

Off the back of Lunar Festival 2018, we welcomed Journey to Nutopia to Moseley Park. Richard Norris’s project brought luminaries including Daisy Campbell, John Higgs and Magda Knight to speak at Moseley.