Voices That Shaped a Genre: Celebrating Influential Women in Folk Music

Folk music is rooted in storytelling and cultural identity, an identity which would not exist without women influencing the sound, message and direction of the genre. In celebration of Women’s History Month, Team Moseley Folk & Arts are reflecting on the contributions of some amazing women to folk history and culture.

In 1950s America, folk music was used as a form of activism, protest and social commentary. Odetta, dubbed by Martin Luther King Jr as “the queen of American folk music” and known to many as “the voice of the Civil Rights Movement”, blended blues, jazz and brought folk music to new audiences and influenced key figures of the era, such as Bob Dylan, Joan Baez and Janis Joplin. Joan Baez herself was no stranger to connecting folk music and protest. A defining figure in 1960s folk, Baez continues to use her music to advocate for civil rights, nonviolence and anti-war causes, most recently criticising American politics in track Nasty Man.

The American landscape is also a key theme in the music of Lucinda Williams, who combines folk, country, Americana and blues with her signature raw storytelling. She often sings about heartbreak and memory, and has become one of the most respected and influential voices in Americana.

In 1990s America, experimental folk pioneer Ani DiFranco founded her own record label, Righteous Babe Records, in lieu of being beholden to a mainstream recording company. DiFranco pioneered the DIY approach in the folk genre, whilst also writing music that explored themes of politics, feminism and personal identity. Righteous Babe Records is still going strong, with a diverse roster centred around female artists.

Here in the UK, we celebrate both traditional folk musicians and contemporary folk exploration. Shirley Collins is considered the guardian of folk tradition; a key figure in the English folk revival, Collins dedicated much of her career to preserving traditional British folk songs. Her recordings, often accompanied by her sister on the piano, helped preserve centuries-old ballads for modern audiences to enjoy.

Looking towards blended, contemporary folk, we can celebrate British icons, Jacqui McShee and Laura Marling. McShee, best known as the vocalist of Pentangle, helped merge folk with jazz and blues influences and expanded the possibilities of folk music in the 1960s and beyond. Marling emerged in the late 2000’s as one of the most acclaimed British folk songwriters of her generation. Her introspective lyricism, coupled with sophisticated acoustic arrangements have earned her a well-deserved place in British folk history. Marling headlined Moseley Folk in 2017, alongside Amy MacDonald and Kate Rusby – a masterclass in female folk excellence.

Another modern-day voice to add to the British folk mix is Katherine Priddy. A favourite of Team MF&A, Priddy is a poetic storyteller, combining atmospheric lyricism with delicate vocal delivery. Her new album, These Frightening Machines, is defiantly feminist, reclaiming the voices of women silenced by history and exploring what it means to be a woman. Priddy elucidates, “These Frightening Machines explores the ever shifting relationship I have with my sense of self as a woman, my body and my place in the world as a 30 year old artist”. We can’t wait to hear her new songs ring through Moseley Park on Friday September 4th.

Alongside contemporary, folk can be experimental, and one woman killing the experimental genre right now is Jane Weaver. Weaver infuses folk elements with psychedelic and electronic influences to create an original sound. The spirit of folk storytelling is alive in her music, which is a perfect example of how folk can evolve in unexpected and exciting directions.

Further afield, Australian-born Folk Bitch Trio are part of a new generation of artists bringing fresh perspectives to contemporary folk music. Known for their striking vocal harmonies, the group blends traditional acoustic folk elements with indie sensibilities. Their lyrics often explore relationships, sexuality, identity and life as artists. Pairing classic folk storytelling with a modern voice demonstrates how the genre continues to evolve while staying rooted in its core traditions of narrative and community.

Finally, who would we be to talk about influential female folk voices and not mention the incomparable Janice Long? Best known for her work on BBC Radio, she played a significant role in supporting folk and alternative music through her long career in British radio broadcasting. Long was particularly admired for championing emerging artists and niche genres that might otherwise struggle to reach mainstream audiences, helping to introduce listeners to new talent while maintaining a strong connection to traditional songwriting. Long was a long-time friend and compere of Moseley Folk, and our second stage is named after her. In 2022, we launched the Janice Long Emerging Artist Award in her honour, ensuring that her legacy lives on.

You can catch Katherine Priddy, Jane Weaver, Folk Bitch Trio, Lucinda Williams and Jacqui McShee’s Pentangle alongside Morgan Nagler, Katacombs and Aayushi across the weekend at Moseley Folk & Arts Festival, 4-6 September 2026 in Moseley Park, Birmingham.