Acoustic sounds and news about 21st Century Folk
The best folk and acoustic music, with news about 21st Century Folk 2026.
The best folk and acoustic music from Britain and beyond.
This week, Mark shares news about 21st Century Folk, which returns to Radio 2 later this month.
Following in the footsteps of the BBC's Radio Ballads, the project sees five people inspire five new folk songs. Previous years have focused on the north east of England, the sea and the railways.
Songs in the project have previously been created by Martyn Joseph, The Young'uns, Thea Gilmore, Findlay Napier, Kris Drever, Kate Rusby, Angeline Morrison, The Unthanks, Squeeze's Chris Difford, Kathryn Williams, Cara Dillon, Sam Lakeman, Seth Lakeman, Fisherman's Friends, Lady Nade, Boo Hewerdine, Bill Ryder-Jones, Richard Thompson, Chris While and Julie Matthews.
Mark announces the theme and the songwriters for 2026.
Plus new releases by Frankie Archer and Karine Polwart & Pippa Murphy.
Produced by Pomona Audio in Salford for BBC Radio 2.
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Music Played
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Ry Cooder & The Chieftains
La Iguana (feat. Lila Downs)
- Hear Music.
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Matt McGinn
The Footba' Referee
- Transatlantic Records.
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Martin Simpson
Love Never Dies
- Topic Records.
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Chris While and Julie Matthews
The Waiting Room
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Goitse
The Queen of Argyll
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Ryan Young
The Ships In Full Sail / Gallagher's Frolics (feat. Martin Hayes)
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Seth Lakeman
Lady Of The Sea (Hear Her Calling)
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Allan Taylor
Running In a Crowded City
- Rubber Records.
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Chris Lucey
Girl From Vernon Mountain
- Surrey Records.
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The Rogue Shanty Buoys
Sam Gone Away
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Karine Polwart & Pippa Murphy
Silver Tassie (feat. Dave Milligan)
- Hudson Records.
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Frankie Archer
The Outlandish Knight
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Valtos
A' Chuthag (The Cuckoo) (feat. Julie Fowlis)
Broadcast
- Yesterday21:00BBC Radio 2
