Evocative, lyrical and with a refreshing honesty, Namvula draws heavily on her Zambian heritage as well as referencing her Scottish roots and life in the diaspora. Namvula toured in Sep/Oct 2016, appearing at Rich Mix London, Sage Gateshead, Junction Cambridge, mac Birmingham, The Stables (Milton Keynes), The Apex (Bury) and RNCM (Manchester), Pontardawe Arts Centre, Colston Hall (Bristol), NCEM (York), and University of Sheffield.

Steaming out of St Petersburg, Otava Yo bring the abandoned traditions of Russian folksong to the 21st century. They offer a glimpse into life in an old Russian village, replete with romance, melancholy and surreal humour. The band toured in Feb/March 2016, appearing at Rich Mix London, Sage Gateshead, Junction Cambridge, mac Birmingham, The Stables (Milton Keynes), The Apex (Bury), Brighton Dome, RNCM (Manchester), Colston Hall (Bristol), NCEM (York), and University of Sheffield.

A ‘new school’ folk band from Kathmandu, Night dive into the rich Nepali musical culture, breathing new life into lost and endangered traditions, using rare instruments to create a stunning new sonic landscape. Night toured in April 2016, appearing at Brighton Dome, Rich Mix London, Sage Gateshead, Junction Cambridge, mac Birmingham, The Stables (Milton Keynes), The Apex (Bury) and RNCM (Manchester).

From delicate filigree patterns of intertwining strings to dazzling displays of furious fingerwork, Söndörgö (say: shoen-doer-goe) bring a vigorous virtuosity to their interpretations of Hungarian folk music. The band toured in Feb/March 2016, appearing at Rich Mix London, Sage Gateshead, Junction Cambridge, mac Birmingham, Pontardawe Arts Centre, The Stables (Milton Keynes), The Apex (Bury), Brighton Dome, RNCM (Manchester), Colston Hall (Bristol), NCEM (York), and University of Sheffield.