Moseley Folk & Arts Festival announces first artists for 2026 line-up

Running from Friday 4 to Sunday 6 September 2026 in the tranquil surroundings of Moseley Park, Birmingham, the just-confirmed acts are The Dead South, Johnny and Lillie Flynn and Josuha Burnside.

Juno Award-winning Canadian folk/ bluegrass quartet The Dead South arrive at the cusp of global success. Growing more adventurous and assured with each album, 2024’s Chains And Stakes boasted head-turning musicianship and vulnerable personal stories, with a skilled balance of darkness and levity that has come to define the band.

Singer-songwriter and actor Johnny Flynn‘s latest venture sees him unite with his sibling, Lillie Flynn, for a collection of songs inspired by the folk, acoustic and traditional music they grew up with. As a musician and actor, Johnny has penned the theme to TV’s Detectorists, released a string of acclaimed albums, and played David Bowie (Stardust). He’s also duetted with Katherine Priddy for the title track of hit movie Four Letters of Love. Meanwhile actor/ singer/ musician Lillie‘s stage credits include The Kinks’ musical Sunny Afternoon, the West End production of Wicked, Love Story, and The War Of The Worlds.

Belfast’s Joshua Burnside is an experimental folk songwriter, singer and producer influenced by alternative electronica and Irish folk. Described as “the best songwriter in Ireland right now” by US broadcasters SiriusXM, his latest collection, Teeth Of Time, is one of BBC 6Music’s Albums of 2025. Joshua’s much-anticipated new album, It’s Not Going To Be Okay, will be released in March 2026.

Further additions to the festival, including headliners, will be announced in the new year.

The announcement comes as the long-running festival prepares to celebrate 20 years. Since launching as a small two-day event, it’s grown to become one of the region’s best loved music festivals, attracting a loyal community of visitors while also pulling in such big name acts as Father John Misty, The Waterboys, Wilco, Richard Thompson, The Monkees, Laura Marling, Supergrass and Belle and Sebastian.

Gerv Havill, Moseley Folk & Arts Festival’s co-founder and co-director, said: “As we gear up to celebrate our 20th year, we’re excited to reveal the first few acts for our 2026 edition. The Dead South are one of the biggest bluegrass-influenced acts in the world; Joshua Burnside is more proof that Ireland is presently home to a hugely exciting and forward thinking music scene; while Johnny and Lille Flynn’s official team-up has been a long time coming, and is much anticipated.”

Fellow co-founder/co-director Carl Phillips, added: “We can’t believe it’s 20 years since the very first Moseley Folk. We’ve enjoyed many special festivals since then, but this year will be even more special.”

Moseley Folk and Arts Festival runs from Friday 4 to Sunday 6 September 2026 at Moseley Park, Birmingham. Tickets on sale from Friday 12 December 2025, 10am. For details, see: moseleyfolk.co.uk

LISTINGS

Friday 4 to Sunday 6 September 2026
Moseley Folk and Arts Festival
Moseley Park and Pool, 93b Alcester Road, Birmingham B13 8DD
moseleyfolk.co.uk

TICKETS
Tier One [SOLD OUT]
Tier Two [ON SALE FRIDAY 12 DECEMBER 2025]: Adult Weekend: £157.5; Adult Day: £56; Family Weekend £357; U18 Weekend £33; U18 Day £33. U12 Free.
+ booking fees

Social media:
facebook.com/moseleyfolkfestival
instagram.com/moseleyfolkfestival
x.com/moseleyfolk
Hashtag #moseleyfolk

FRIDAY 4 SEPTEMBER 2026

To be announced

SATURDAY 5 SEPTEMBER 2026

Johnny & Lillie Flynn

Joshua Burnside

More acts to be revealed …

SUNDAY 6 SEPTEMBER 2026

The Dead South

More acts to be revealed …

Further acts, including headliners, will be revealed in the New Year.

ABOUT MOSELEY FOLK & ARTS FESTIVAL

Moseley Folk and Arts Festival is an annual family-friendly immersive event, exploring the very best of contemporary Folk, Arts and Crafts, and more, which is held in Moseley Park – a stunning 11-acre woodland glade in the heart of Moseley Village.

Although the site is just two miles from the centre of Birmingham, it’s a world away from city life, and the perfect setting for a festival – with sloping grounds, creating a natural amphitheatre in front of a stunning lake.

Established in 2006, each year Moseley Folk and Arts Festival brings incredible artists, workshops, arts, crafts, and a selection of Birmingham’s most loved street food and drinks vendors to Moseley, for one epic weekend.

Previous headliners have included Father John Misty, Dexys, Belle and Sebastian, Wilco, Laura Marling, Don Mclean, The Waterboys, The Monkees, The Jayhawks, Richard Thompson and Supergrass.

2026 sees the festival mark its 20th anniversary with a run of stand-alone concerts alongside the September festival.