Irish singer-songwriter Damien Dempsey and Black Country indie heroes The Wonder Stuff have been announced as the final additions to Moseley Folk and Arts Festival 2026’s main stages.
The Birmingham-based boutique festival runs from Friday 4 to Sunday 6 September 2026, and this year celebrates its 20th edition with previously revealed headline appearances from Kingfishr, Big Special and Katherine Priddy (Friday); Super Furry Animals, Johnny Flynn and Lillie Flynn and Jane Weaver (Saturday); and The Dead South, Frank Turner and The Longest Johns (Sunday).
Born and raised in the mid-1970s in Donaghmede, Dublin, Damien Dempsey (Friday) initially trained as a boxer before committing himself to music. Making an instant impact with his debut album, 2000’s They Don’t Teach This **** In School, Damien’s gone on to score a string of chart-topping releases, including Seize The Day and It’s All Good, and record with such equally acclaimed artists as The Dubliners, Sinéad O’Connor, U2, Shane McGowan, John Grant and Maverick Sabre. Passionate and honest, his ability to bring the energy of ‘a big singsong’ to the stage is legendary.
Formed in 1986, The Wonder Stuff (Sunday) scored four Top 20 albums between 1988-1994 and 13 Top 40 singles, including the number one Dizzy (with Vic and Bob).
Currently readying for their 40th anniversary tour, and still featuring original founding members Miles Hunt (vocals/guitar) and Malc Treece (guitar/vocals), expect a career-spanning set featuring such hits as Unbearable, A Wish Away, Caught In My Shadow, Size of A Cow and Don’t Let Me Know Down, Gently, amongst many others.
Gerv Havill, Moseley Folk and Arts Festival co-Director, said: “We’re very excited to be welcoming both Damien and The Wonder Stuff to the 20th Moseley Folk. Both artists have such incredible catalogues of songs, and know their stagecraft.”
Unfortunately, due to unforeseen circumstances, Lucinda Williams has cancelled her upcoming European tour, including her previously announced Moseley Folk and Arts Festival appearance.
“We are gutted, especially after promoting her Birmingham Town Hall show in January,” says Gerv. “But hopefully she can come back in the future.”
Set in the urban oasis of Moseley Park, Birmingham, Moseley Folk and Arts Festival has been a firm fixture on the UK’s festival since 2001. This year’s 20th edition boasts a top line-up of international stars, ’90s icons, contemporary hitmakers, and rising names across three days, with headliners joined by Jacqui McShee’s Pentangle, Folk Bitch Trio, Hudson Freeman, Joshua Burnside, Madra Salach and Dave Lofts, plus comedians David O’Doherty, Mark Watson and Phil Nichol, Blur drummer Dave Rowntree, poet Bradley Taylor and more.
• Moseley Folk and Arts Festival runs from Friday 4 to Sunday 6 September 2026, at Moseley Park, Birmingham. For limited tickets and more information, 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 [SOLD OUT].
Tier Three [LIMITED]: Adult Weekend £177.50; Adult Day £65.40 (Fri & Sat only); U18 Weekend £69.80; U18 Day £36; U12 FREE; Family Weekend £387.50.
Tier Four [SELLING FAST]: Adult Day Saturday (£69.70)
(Booking fees included)
Upgrades also available including Private Caravan Hire and Club Class.
Payment plans on all orders with Kaboodle – split over four months.
Social media:
facebook.com/moseleyfolkfestival
instagram.com/moseleyfolkfestival
x.com/moseleyfolk
youtube.com/@moseleyfolkfestival
Hashtag #moseleyfolk
FRIDAY 4 SEPTEMBER 2026
Kingfishr
Big Special
Katherine Priddy • Damien Dempsey
Morgan Nagler • Madra Salach
Dermot Henry • Dave Lofts • Family Stereo
Close Up Comedy presents: Christopher Macarthur-Boyd, Jeff Innocent & Harry Jenkins
Birmingham Comedy Festival presents: David O’Doherty
SATURDAY 5 SEPTEMBER 2026
Super Furry Animals
Jane Weaver
Johnny & Lillie Flynn
The Wran
Joshua Burnside • Hudson Freeman • Junior Brother • Folk Bitch Trio • Bonfire Radicals • Curiosity Shop • Gingham
The Glee Club presents: Lindsey Santoro, Robin Morgan & Phil Nicol
Barbara Nice’s Blind Date
The Three Poets: Luke Kennard, Bohdan Piasecki & Liz Berry
The Heath Bookshop presents: Dave Twist
SUNDAY 6 SEPTEMBER 2026
The Dead South
Frank Turner
The Wonder Stuff
The Longest Johns
Jacqui McShee’s Pentangle
The Destroyers
Cut A Shine • Little Grandad • Goblin Band • Katacombs • Aayushi
Birmingham Comedy Festival presents: Mark Watson, Hasan al-Habib & Ryan S Lewis
Ouse Valley Singles Club
The Heath Bookshop presents: Dave Rowntree + Bradley Taylor
Burt BackarackhamsFamily activities and workshops to be announced soon …
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.