Set up in 2022 by Birmingham’s Moseley Folk and Arts Festival, where broadcaster Janice Long was an enthusiastic longstanding compère, the award is inspired by her insistence and determination to help and support new musicians at the start of their career, and is open to new and emerging unsigned solo artists aged 16+ from England and Wales working within the Folk, Rock, Indie, Psychedelic and Alternative genres.
Born in Cambridge and with Norwegian roots, indie-folk artist Fran Lusty’s lilting voice and explorative songwriting has been described as ‘dreamful’ and ‘truly transformative’. Her most recent EP, Big Old House, was written at her grandmother’s remote cabin in Norway and explores the dreamlike state one enters when isolated in the wilderness.
As part of her prize, Fran will be taking to Moseley Folk Festival’s Janice Long Stage on Saturday 5 September 2026, followed by a return appearance in 2027.
Says Fran: “Janice Long championed so many emerging artists and played an important role at the beginning of many successful careers, and so it is a huge honour to receive this award.
“I am still processing the fact that this has happened, but I am incredibly excited to be opening the Janice Long Stage this year, and to be headlining it next year.
“Thank you so much to Moseley Folk & Arts Festival for this opportunity and I can’t wait to see you there!”
Set in Birmingham’s leafy secluded Moseley Park, Moseley Folk and Arts Festival runs from Friday 4 to Sunday 6 September 2026 with headline appearances from Kingfishr, Super Furry Animals and The Dead South, plus Frank Turner, The Wonder Stuff, Big Special, Damien Dempsey, Katherine Priddy and more. This year is the event’s 20th edition.
For more information, see: moseleyfolk.co.uk
ABOUT HELLO YOU! THE JANICE LONG EMERGING ARTIST AWARD
Launched in 2022, the award is open to unsigned bands and solo artists from England and Wales aged 16+ whose material is within one or more of the Folk, Rock, Indie, Psychedelic and Alternative genres.
The winner gains two profile-boosting spots at Moseley Folk and Arts Festival, Birmingham – the first, opening the Janice Long Stage (year one) and then headlining the same stage a year later (year two). Other vital support is also offered to the artist.
Previous winners have included Bobby West, Louie Miles and Brown Horse.
• Details: moseleyfolk.co.uk/hello_you/
ABOUT JANICE LONG
Liverpool-born Janice Long’s broadcasting career stretches across five decades. The first woman to gain a daily music show on BBC Radio 1, she went on to host shows across BBC Radio 2, BBC 6Music, BBC Wales, Greatest Hits Radio, XFM and BBCWM. A pioneer, she was also the first regular female presenter on legendary BBC One chart show, Top Of The Pops.
After compèring the very first Moseley Folk Festival in 2006, Janice continued to visit the annual event until her tragic passing in 2021. Her positivity and love of music left an indelible impression on visiting acts, festival organisers and audiences.
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.
Running from Friday 4 to Sunday 6 September 2026, this year sees Moseley Folk and Arts Festival celebrate its 20th edition with appearances from Kingfishr, Super Furry Animals, The Dead South, Big Special, Frank Turner, Johnny & Lillie Flynn and The Wonder Stuff. Also joining the line-up are Jacqui McShee’s Pentangle, Jane Weaver and The Destroyers – who previously appeared at the very first festival, in 2006.
ABOUT FRAN LUSTY
For more about Fran, see: www.franlusty.co.uk
Connect with Fran:
instagram.com/lusty_fran
tiktok.com/@franlusty
www.youtube.com/@franlusty