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Matthew Bannister

@matthewbannister.bsky.social

Broadcaster. Host of Last Word on BBC Radio 4 and my own multi award winning Folk on Foot podcast (@folkonfoot.com). Posts all personal.

445 Followers  |  134 Following  |  99 Posts  |  Joined: 19.11.2024
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Posts by Matthew Bannister (@matthewbannister.bsky.social)

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Just a week to go till the Folk Album of the Year Award Gala - and today's featured nominee is @cynefinmusic.bsky.social, who'll perform live at Rochdale Town Hall. Watch the livestream on YouTube from 1900 GMT on 17th March.

πŸ“² Subscribe here: www.youtube.com/@FolkOnFoot

@soundrootsuk.bsky.social

10.03.2026 09:06 β€” πŸ‘ 4    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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βŒ› We’re counting down to the Folk Album of the Year Award Gala, live-streamed on our YouTube channel on 17th March at 7pm GMT.

Today’s nominated artistβ€”who will be playing liveβ€”is Barry Kerr.

πŸ“² Subscribe here so you don’t miss it: www.youtube.com/@FolkOnFoot

@soundrootsuk.bsky.social

09.03.2026 17:12 β€” πŸ‘ 7    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Just 10 days to go until the Folk Album of the Year Award Gala at Rochdale Town Hall on Tuesday 17th March πŸ†

The show will be live-streamed from 1900 on the Folk on Foot YouTube channel. Please join us!

www.youtube.com/@FolkOnFoot/

In partnership with @soundrootsuk.bsky.social

07.03.2026 10:28 β€” πŸ‘ 10    πŸ” 3    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 2
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The new album from Ye Vagabonds - recorded live in a house in Galway - has entered the Official Folk Albums Chart at number 7.

▢️ Watch the full Chart Show here: youtu.be/uDAS0AER8vY

06.03.2026 17:40 β€” πŸ‘ 7    πŸ” 3    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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The four fiddles of RANT - live in Glasgow - are a new entry in this month’s Official Folk Albums Chart 🎻

▢️ Watch the full chart show here: youtu.be/uDAS0AER8vY

05.03.2026 18:00 β€” πŸ‘ 6    πŸ” 3    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
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The highest new entry in the Official Folk Albums Chart this month comes from Dublin’s Madra Salach.

▢️ Watch the full Chart Show here: youtu.be/uDAS0AER8vY

04.03.2026 18:11 β€” πŸ‘ 6    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 1
Official Folk Albums Chart Showβ€”3rd March 2026
YouTube video by Folk On Foot Official Folk Albums Chart Showβ€”3rd March 2026

It's almost time! Join us on YouTube from 7pm GMT for the Official Folk Albums Chart Show, featuring music from Madra Salach, Ye Vagabonds, @tessarosejackson.bsky.social, RANT, @elizamarshall.bsky.social, Seth Lakeman and Miniseries.

⏰ Set a reminder here:
youtu.be/uDAS0AER8vY

03.03.2026 18:00 β€” πŸ‘ 5    πŸ” 4    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
Photo of Scottish fiddle band RANT, with text over the top of the image which says "Folk on Foot presents The Official Folk Albums Chart Show, compiled by Official Charts, 3rd March 2026".

Photo of Scottish fiddle band RANT, with text over the top of the image which says "Folk on Foot presents The Official Folk Albums Chart Show, compiled by Official Charts, 3rd March 2026".

This month’s Chart Show has music from Madra Salach, Ye Vagabonds, @tessarosejackson.bsky.social, RANT, @elizamarshall.bsky.social, Seth Lakeman and Miniseries. Plus, there's album and gig news and Matthew announces the next episode of Folk on Foot.

Watch from 7pm GMT: www.youtube.com/@FolkOnFoot

03.03.2026 09:33 β€” πŸ‘ 5    πŸ” 6    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 1
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Celebrate the penultimate day of February with a wonderful performance from Live to your Living Room favourites @nancyannfolk.bsky.social and @jamesfagan.bsky.social - tonight at 8!

events.livetoyourlivingroom.com/events/livet...

27.02.2026 12:03 β€” πŸ‘ 4    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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πŸŽ‚ Celebrate the fiftieth birthday of the beloved cloth cat Bagpuss, and share Sandra Kerr’s vivid memories of the 1960s folk revival in this classic episode from 2024.

🎧 Listen here: pod.fo/e/39467e

23.02.2026 08:46 β€” πŸ‘ 68    πŸ” 27    πŸ’¬ 2    πŸ“Œ 8
Photo of The Brothers Gillespie, along with a group of fans and members of the Folk on Foot team, all stood with bare feet in the sand on the walk across to Holy Island.

Photo of The Brothers Gillespie, along with a group of fans and members of the Folk on Foot team, all stood with bare feet in the sand on the walk across to Holy Island.

On our walk across the sands to Holy Island, The Brothers Gillespie and their followers pause to sing the beautiful song, β€œHeron Glides”. But don’t stop for too long - or we’ll be cut off by the tide! 🌊

🎧 Hear more of our adventures in our latest episode, out now: pod.fo/e/38eac6

21.02.2026 10:03 β€” πŸ‘ 11    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 1
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β€œThe Land of Singing Waters” is how The Brothers Gillespie describe their beautiful home county of Northumberland. 🌊🎢

Join James and Sam - and their devoted followers - on a walk across the sands to Holy Island in our new episode, out now.

🎧 Listen here: pod.fo/e/38eac6

19.02.2026 17:53 β€” πŸ‘ 9    πŸ” 6    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 1

Hi Jane - thanks for getting in touch. I’m afraid we have finished our recording for the series now.

13.02.2026 12:13 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

A genuinely spiritual experience!

13.02.2026 09:44 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
Our Land Trailer
YouTube video by MetFilm Distribution Our Land Trailer

This May sees the release of Our Land - a feature length documentary film about the Right to Roam campaign, directed by Orban Wallace.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=est-...

10.02.2026 10:14 β€” πŸ‘ 61    πŸ” 30    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 1
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Now on stage @cecilsharphouse.bsky.social the brilliant songs of Chris Wood. #IndoorFestivalofFolk

07.02.2026 19:42 β€” πŸ‘ 8    πŸ” 3    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Moving and insightful conversation with Simon Nicol of Fairport Convention at Indoor Festival of Folk @cecilsharphouse.bsky.social

07.02.2026 19:34 β€” πŸ‘ 8    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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The wonderful Ellie Gowers getting the Indoor Festival of Folk @cecilsharphouse.bsky.social off to a sparkling start.

07.02.2026 13:27 β€” πŸ‘ 6    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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New in this month’s Official Folk Albums Chart is β€œEternal Birth” from the Ranagri flautist @elizamarshall.bsky.social. The album celebrates the cycle of life - and our relationship with nature.

▢️ Watch the full Chart Show here: youtu.be/UxtdKN4OOxk

05.02.2026 18:06 β€” πŸ‘ 6    πŸ” 3    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
Official Folk Albums Chart Showβ€”3rd February 2026
YouTube video by Folk On Foot Official Folk Albums Chart Showβ€”3rd February 2026

And we're off! Join us on YouTube now for this month's Chart Show, featuring music from @elizamarshall.bsky.social, @lisaknappmusic.bsky.social & @gerrydiver.bsky.social, @martynjosephwales.bsky.social, Nathan Evans & SAINT PHNX and more.

▢️ Tune in here: youtu.be/UxtdKN4OOxk

03.02.2026 19:03 β€” πŸ‘ 7    πŸ” 4    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
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Here we come a-wassailing at @cecilsharphouse.bsky.social with @jimcausley.bsky.social - a fine crop of apples is guaranteed come the autumn!

28.01.2026 22:33 β€” πŸ‘ 8    πŸ” 5    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
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Behind almost every door in the village of Pathhead, Midlothian lies an extraordinary musical talent. Join us to re-live the joy of opening those doors and hearing the music inside in this classic episode from 2022.

🎧 Listen now: pod.fo/e/38063d

@laumusic.bsky.social @corrinahewat.bsky.social

26.01.2026 09:27 β€” πŸ‘ 9    πŸ” 5    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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As we sit by a campfire in Devon, Sam Lee shares his love of the Padstow 'Obby 'Oss Mayday tradition in our new episode, out now.

🎧 Listen here: pod.fo/e/379be9

With The Ffern Folk Guild.

24.01.2026 09:47 β€” πŸ‘ 8    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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πŸ‘€ Ever seen a giant?

Artist and Boss Morris dancer @alexmerryart.bsky.social explains that there are more around than you might think, and how deeply the tradition of giant-making is rooted in our history.

🎧 Hear more in our new episode, out now: pod.fo/e/379be9

22.01.2026 17:09 β€” πŸ‘ 5    πŸ” 3    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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In our new episode, out now, artist Ben Edge shares his fascination with the traditions of the Abbots Bromley Horn Dance.

🎧 Listen here: pod.fo/e/379be9

With The Ffern Folk Guild.

20.01.2026 18:12 β€” πŸ‘ 11    πŸ” 7    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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In our new episode - out now - Charlie Cooper describes his close encounter with the flaming tar barrels of Ottery St Mary.

🎧 Find out more here: pod.fo/e/379be9

With The Ffern Folk Guild.

18.01.2026 09:29 β€” πŸ‘ 14    πŸ” 4    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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With over 80% of tickets sold for the Indoor Festival of Folk, book now to avoid missing out!

If you’re missing sunny summer folk festivals, this is the perfect tonic for the winter blues; a stellar line-up of the country's finest folk artists all in our cosy London venue.

Sat 7 Feb bit.ly/4qC4y0c

16.01.2026 17:18 β€” πŸ‘ 5    πŸ” 5    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

A fascinating conversation with some lovely people. Have a listen!

16.01.2026 09:18 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Big announcement from Matthew: how to get exclusive tickets to the Folk Album of the Year Award Show at Rochdale Town Hall on 17th March.

πŸ‘‰ Sign up as a Folk on Foot member here to be in the draw: folkonfoot.com/supportus

In partnership with @soundrootsuk.bsky.social.

07.01.2026 18:17 β€” πŸ‘ 8    πŸ” 4    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
Official Folk Albums Chart Showβ€”6th January 2026
YouTube video by Folk On Foot Official Folk Albums Chart Showβ€”6th January 2026

It's almost time! Join us on YouTube from 7pm GMT for this month's Chart Show, featuring music from @themagpiearc.bsky.social, @katerusby.bsky.social, @lauracannellmusic.bsky.social, St. Agnes Fountain, Skinny Lister and Michael McGovern.

▢️ Watch here: youtu.be/Fe3ae42KL8A

06.01.2026 18:39 β€” πŸ‘ 7    πŸ” 4    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0