Lucy Shields

Our huge, heartfelt thanks to Sam Fender, who’s donated his £25,000 Mercury Prize winnings to Music Venue Trust... after already making sure £1 from every ticket on his recent tour went to support grassroots music venues.

“The data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) estimates 31.5% of women and 26.4% of men experienced some form of abuse as a child, a total of 13.6 million – almost three in 10 – people.”

Horrendous statistics. I also wonder how this compares with other countries.

Photo of the Sam Kelly Trio stood outside on a path, with grassy banks and hedges on either side. They are holding their instruments (cello, guitar and banjo).

The Sam Kelly Trio went down a storm last time they joined us, and we're delighted to be welcoming them back in 2026! Don't miss their soaring songs and stunning instrumentals when they come to East Riding Theatre on 13th February, with support from Maddie Morris.

stage4beverley.com/whats-on/sam...

The devil is in Lincolnshire?! I had a lucky escape!

"Parking is such sweet sorrow"

"But soft! What light through yonder window... BRAKES!"

What a moment, for Sam Fender and for Newcastle. We had a great time at the #MercuryPrize ceremony tonight!

The BBC are accidentally running the subtitles to Mrs Marple over the Mercury Prize, and it’s rather wonderful. A few of lines could plausibly have been written by Jarvis.

A montage of photos of artists who will be taking part in the Indoor Festival of Folk, including The Magpie Arc, Ashley Hutchings, Edgelarks, Frankie Archer, Sam Carter and The Bookshop Band.

Very excited about the amazing line-up at the Indoor Festival of Folk (North) on 18th October: The Bookshop Band, Frankie Archer, Edgelarks, Sam Carter and The Magpie Arc, plus Matthew interviewing the great Ashley Hutchings.

More info and tickets here: www.settlevictoriahall.org.uk/eventsandsho...

The reason the Right are so invested in the myth that the arts have no value isn’t because the arts don’t generate wealth (they do); it’s that studying the arts teaches people to imagine better ways of judging the value of an idea than by counting how much money it makes…

The greens may be the threat that the right never saw coming.

Our movement is living rent free in the heads of Telegraph journalists at the moment.

Join me in being ‘a threat to the right that they never saw coming’.

join.greenparty.org.uk

Photo of someone called Dina on University Challenge. There are subtitles which say "I'm originally from the Seychelles..."

Photo of someone called Dina on University Challenge. Following on from the last image, there are subtitles which say "...and now I live in Peterborough."

Thoughts and prayers to Dina on #UniversityChallenge.

Another great addition to the line-up at @stage4beverley.bsky.social!

A big screen at the British Podcast Awards, with a Folk on Foot logo and test that says "Nominees - Folk on Foot, Matthew Bannister".

Great to see our name in lights at the British Podcast Awards - well deserved recognition for the wonderful team that put their heart and soul into Folk on Foot - Matthew

Go Sheffield! ❤️

Chris Sewart, a man wearing glasses and a short-sleeved shirt. He is standing in front of a painting of some poppies and he has his arms crossed.

Simon Armitage - a man wearing a burgundy coloured shirt, with grey hair. He is sat in front of a bookshelf and he's looking towards us thoughtfully.

It's National Poetry Day, and if you're into all things literary then there's lots to look forward to at our next festival - including the UK's Poet Laureate, Simon Armitage, local favourite Chris Sewart, and one more special guest to be announced tomorrow - any guesses?

stage4beverley.com/line-up/

Thank you!

Screenshot of the new episode of The Skewer, which is called Supercalifragilisticexpibraggadocious.

This may be braggadocious, but I’m very pleased to say that I got an idea onto #TheSkewer on BBC Radio 4 last night, and my bit is also referenced in the episode title! If you haven’t come across The Skewer before, I highly recommend a listen.

Find the episode here:
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...

A blackboard outside The Stand Comedy Club in Newcastle, advertising Grace Petrie’s gig, which Lucy went to tonight.

Great show from Grace Petrie at @standcomedyclub.bsky.social tonight! This was the first night of the tour, so there are still plenty of chances to catch her (including Hexham if you’re here in the North East).

Tour dates:
www.gracepetrie.com/gigs

I’d like a lot less bonkers please 😬

Life After Spotify: What Musicians Lose & Gain — Jon Wilks A field report on leaving Spotify: the illusions of discovery, the playlist trap, and how musicians can find value and real connection elsewhere.

Interesting and informative piece by @jonwilksmusic.bsky.social on why, and also, how, he took his music off Spotify

www.jonwilks.online/blog/life-af...

Poster with photos of all the jury members for the Folk Album of the Year Award 2025, including Anna Massie (BBC Scotland/musician), Philip King (Other Voices Ireland), Alexandria Carr (Southbank Centre), Jude Rogers (The Guardian), Mark Radcliffe (BBC Radio 2), Lynette Fay (broadcaster/producer), John McCusker (musician), Becky Marshall-Potter (FolkEast festival), Jo Frost (journalist), Rob Cowen (author), Georgia Ruth (BBC Cymru/musician) and Sam Hindley (Thank Goodness It's Folk). At the bottom of the poster, there are logos for Sound Roots, Folk on Foot, Rochdale - Greater Manchester Town of Culture 25-26 and Rochdale Development Agency.

In partnership with our friends at @soundrootsuk.bsky.social, we're pleased to announce the jury members for the Folk Album of the Year Award 2025!

Find out more about the jury: www.soundroots.uk/news/new-fol...

Submit your album:
www.soundroots.uk/folk-album-o...

A screenshot of the back of the conductor's podium thing with two 'ports' on the side.

Fascinating that you can see the USB ports where the conductor is charged up before every performance #TheProms

Screenshot of Lucy’s profile on TikTok, which has a prompt encouraging her to “spill the tea”

TikTok should know better than this - I’d never waste tea.

Folk on Foot is once again nominated at the Independent Podcast Awards! Wish us luck 🍀

We want to say a huge thank you to The Last Dinner Party for donating £1 from every ticket sold to Music Venue Trust.

No idea how you’ve found enough material to work with, when there’s so little going on…

"That's me, that is."

Another good mix of music and poetry at the next @stage4beverley.bsky.social festival!

If you live nearby, please do check it out from 8th-15th Feb.
stage4beverley.com/line-up/