Earlier this month we shared the exciting news that our International Partners for English Folk Expo 2026 are: Catalan Arts (Catalonia), Port Fairy Folk Festival (Australia), Showcase Scotland Expo (Scotland) and Music Export Memphis (Memphis).
“International partnerships bring brilliant and diverse music to English Folk Expo. For 2026, we are absolutely thrilled to be working with Catalan Arts, Port Fairy Folk Festival, Showcase Scotland Expo and Music Export Memphis – bringing a total of twelve world-class artists to our programme. With today’s announcement, we already know that English Folk Expo 2026 is on track to feature some truly exciting international talent alongside our England-based artists.” — David Agnew, Sound Roots CEO
Port Fairy Folk Festival (Australia)
Celebrating their fiftieth year in 2027, the Port Fairy Folk Festival is an annual four-day music festival held in the historic fishing village of Port Fairy, Victoria, Australia. Taking place on the second weekend each March, the folk and roots music-inspired gathering offers invaluable support to the local community and an unforgettable weekend of song by the oceans of the south-west coast.
“The Port Fairy Folk Festival is so grateful to be a presenting partner at English Folk Expo in March 2026, just after the conclusion of our 49th festival in Australia. We can’t wait to connect with the global folk community in the wonderful city of Manchester and look forward to Fanny Lumsden, Charm of Finches and Daisy Kilbourne showcasing under our banner.”—Justin Rudge, Program Director, Port Fairy Folk Festival
Australian sister duo Charm of Finches craft intricate folk-pop that’s both graceful and darkly bewitching, their seamless blood harmonies weaving melancholy and wonder. Mabel and Ivy Windred-Wornes have toured widely across the UK, Europe, and Canada (2022–2024) and earned accolades including Best Folk Album at the Australian Folk Music Awards (2022) and Best Folk Act at Music Victoria (2021).
From a sheep farm in western NSW to Glastonbury Festival, Fanny Lumsden has become one of Australia’s most acclaimed country artists. A 2× ARIA, 9× Golden Guitar and 3× AIR Award winner, her chart-topping albumHey Dawn cemented her status as a distinctive storyteller and powerhouse performer redefining modern Australian country music.
Daisy Kilbourne is a soul-stirring artist with a heart firmly rooted in the music of the ’70s. Born into a musical family, her talent and love for song run deep, inspired by the legacy of her late father, Wayne Kilbourne, a revered songwriter. Having supported artists such as Adalita, Kyle Lionhart and Damien Rice, Kilbourne is fast becoming one to watch.
Showcase Scotland Expo (Scotland)
Showcase Scotland Expo exists to expand live export opportunities for Scottish-based artists working across folk, traditional, world, and acoustic music. Initiated by Active Events, the project aims to build relationships with international music trade events and advocate for showcase opportunities for Scottish artists.
“Events such as English Folk Expo and Showcase Scotland @ Celtic Connections bring together friends from across the globe — creating opportunities, sharing challenges, and celebrating the connections that help our artists and audiences thrive. We’re delighted to present Chloe Matharu, Heron Valley and Ryan Young — three outstanding artists who reflect the strength and spirit of Scotland’s folk scene.
Having already partnered over the past two years with Kings Place, Cambridge Folk Festival and Shrewsbury Folk Festival, we’re proud to bring Scotland’s music to English audiences and beyond, supporting our artists to be discovered, developed, and heard around the world. We look forward to meeting everyone and celebrating great music.”—Lisa Whytock, CEO
Ryan Young, a multi award winning fiddle player, is injecting fresh and innovative ideas into the realm of traditional Scottish music. He has gained international acclaim for his captivating fiddle interpretations. Ryan’s debut album, produced in collaboration with four-time GRAMMY winner Jesse Lewis, was unveiled at the Feakle Traditional Music Festival in County Clare.
Chloe Matharu is a multi-award winning Scottish Indian singer songwriter and harpist from the West Coast of Scotland. Many of her songs draw on her time as a Navigational Officer in the Merchant Navy, inspired by the natural world as experienced at sea. Her music offers“an intriguing insight into a new tradition of maritime folk music with thoughtful songwriting embellished by her voice and superb harp playing”– The Herald.
Heron Valley is a dynamic folk band hailing from Scotland, known for their energetic performances and captivating blend of traditional and folk music with contemporary influences. Formed in 2014, the group quickly gained attention for their lively stage presence and virtuosic musicianship. The band features a powerful line up of bagpipes, fiddle, guitar, keys, bass and drums seamlessly fusing driving rhythms, intricate melodies and heartfelt lyrics together.
Catalan Arts (Catalonia)
Catalan Arts is the brand of the Catalan Institute for Cultural Companies (ICEC) for the international promotion of Catalan creativity, supporting the global growth of professionals and companies in music, performing arts, book publishing, visual arts and digital culture.
Through its activities, Catalan Arts facilitates the presence of Catalan companies and artists at leading international fairs and key events. Acting as the Catalan Music Export Office, it represents Catalan talent at major global gatherings such as WOMEX, ESNS (Eurosonic Noorderslag), Classical:NEXT, Jazzahead and the Folk Alliance International Conference, to name a few.
“At Catalan Arts, we’re delighted to take part in English Folk Expo 2026, supporting the talented ALOSA, El Pony Pisador and Ferran Orriols, outstanding examples of the diversity and richness of Catalonia’s music scene.
Our goal is to build bridges with the vibrant music community gathered at EFEx, fostering new connections and collaborations. This showcase is also part of our ongoing wish to strengthen ties with the city of Manchester, following its role as the guest city at Barcelona’s La Mercè Festival 2025.” — Mar Pérez Unanue, ICEC London office director
Barcelona’s El Pony Pisador are a high-energy, eclectic band who perform folk sounds from around the world with a humorous and adventurous spirit. Their music spans Catalan songs and dances, Celtic and Mediterranean tunes, yodelling, Tuvan throat singing, Georgian polyphony, and Balkan polyrhythms, resulting in energetic and unpredictable performances.
ALOSA, formed by Giulietta Vidal and Irene Romo, released their acclaimed debut El primer cant del matí (The First Song of the Morning) earlier this autumn. The record showcases their unique sonic universe and creative talent, marking an important step forward in the trajectory of one of the most promising projects on the Catalan scene.
Singer-songwriter Ferran Orriols weaves together indie-folk, Balkan and Arabic influences, traditional Catalan habaneras, bossa nova and folk-rooted music. His deeply personal yet expansive record, Darrere els horts (Behind the Orchards), was recorded in a repurposed chicken farm and features friends, local musicians and some of his greatest musical heroes.
Music Export Memphis (USA)
Music Export Memphis is a non-profit music export office located in and serving the musicians of Memphis, Tennessee. The organisation produces showcases at festivals around the world featuring contemporary Memphis artists, supports export activity year-round through grants for touring, merchandise, marketing and publicity and facilitates cultural and creative exchanges with the global music community.
“There’s such a deep knowledge and reverence for Memphis music in the UK and Europe. Our artists always find incredible warmth, even when touring overseas for the first time.
Showcasing at English Folk Expo made so much sense and I personally can’t wait to show off some of our best and brightest talent in Talibah Safiya, Singa B. and Marcella Simien. Anyone who loves Memphis music’s past is going to be absolutely blown away by what we’ve got going on now!” — Elizabeth Cawein, Executive Director, Music Export Memphis
Talibah Safiya is a recording artist and writer focused on storytelling through music and experience curation. Safiya’s most recent record, Black Magic, was released in collaboration with the University of Memphis School of Music Business. The project, listed as one of NPR’s favourite albums of 2024, interprets and reframes the University’s Hill Country Blues catalogue.
Singa B. is a rising voice in modern blues, combining raw soul, Memphis grit and a contemporary storytelling style that resonates across generations. Shaped by the musical legacy of Memphis, Singa is a self-taught vocalist, guitarist and pianist whose performances are emotionally charged and deeply rooted in blues tradition.
Marcella Simien is a Louisiana-born artist and a proud ninth-generation Creole. Her music offers a soulful reflection of her deeply personal journey through spirituality and identity. With a genre-defying sound that blends soul, American roots, blues, and jazz, Simien crafts a sonic experience that is both timeless and uniquely her own.
