A ‘Tangle’ of Folk Artists Arrive in Wolves for 2026: Folk at Wolverhampton Arts Centre

Our new folk season at Wolverhampton Arts Centre is shaping up to be one of those quietly confident line-ups with really strong music from artists who know exactly what they’re doing and why they’re doing it.

It begins in March with Skye Consort & Emma Björling, bringing their distinctive scandi-celto-québecish neo-trad sound to Wolverhampton. A collective of renowned musicians from Canada and Sweden, they blend traditional music from Scandinavia, Ireland, the British Isles and French Canada with original compositions of their own. Expect voices, fiddle, nyckelharpa, cello, bouzouki, banjo and percussion weaving together whirling polskas, groovy reels, love songs and hymns, all gently but confidently pulled into the 21st century.

In May, the Sam Sweeney Trio take the stage. Sam Sweeney is widely regarded as one of the finest fiddle players of his generation, and alongside Ben Nicholls on double bass and Louis Campbell on guitar, the trio create music that feels both rooted and expansive. Drawing on Sam’s discography, the performance blends English fiddle traditions with contemporary arrangement, emotional depth and a strong sense of musical conversation. Intimate, expressive and quietly powerful.

Later that month, Canadian duo Showman and Coole arrive with what they describe as super-deluxe fiddle, banjo and song. After more than twenty-five years of playing together, John Showman and Chris Coole share a deep, instinctive musical bond. Their music sits somewhere on the edges of old-time, bluegrass and folk, taking in the songs of John Hartford, Hank Williams and Dock Boggs alongside original material that feels both personal and timely.

June brings the exhilarating energy of Gavin Fairhall Lever. A trio known for their colour, drive and restless creativity, they pull together Celtic tradition, melodic warmth, vibrant rhythm and flashes of jazz harmony. Tunes unfold like stories, moving from moments of luminous stillness into passages of unstoppable momentum, all delivered with fire, precision and a bit of bite. Their live performances have earned a reputation for being genuinely thrilling, and it’s easy to see why.

The season then builds towards its big summer moment, culminating in the return of Joe Broughton’s Conservatoire Folk Ensemble. A true summer extravaganza, this stage-filling ensemble brings together around fifty musicians in a powerful celebration of 21st-century folk. Traditional English and Celtic reels slide effortlessly into rock, funk, jazz, hip-hop, ska and reggae, shaped by the diverse influences of its members. If you missed this last year, this is your chance to see them live. And if you were there, you already know. Come back and relive those summer magic vibes.

Find out more and book tickets here.