Folk by the Oak returning to Hatfield House, Hatfield, Hertfordshire on Sunday 19^th July have announced the first two acts for the line-up as Mercury Music Prize nominees The Unthanks and Bellowhead. 

A blistering 11-piece band fusing folk, funk, rock, world, jazz, music hall and classical music, Bellowhead have placed themselves at the cutting edge of the contemporary music scene, become a key fixture on the festival scene and won BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards Best Group twice and Best Live Act an amazing 5 times. They celebrated their 10^th birthday this year, as well as signing to the legendary Island Records label and releasing the album Revival in June featuring their powerful and eclectic take on traditional English folksong.

“Last year was our biggest year yet at Folk by the Oak and we are very excited to be gearing up for another great festival” said Festival Director Adam Slough. “Having 2 such phenomenal acts to announce is a great way to end this year and send us into 2015 buzzing with ideas and energy, ready to make Folk by the Oak even better!”

Tickets are now on sale for the extra early bird price of just £33 per adult, and tickets are sent by email so you can book as late as Christmas morning and still have a lovely surprise to pop under the tree!

The Acorn Stage – Now a firmly established feature of Folk by the Oak, our platform for a new generation of folk musicians grew significantly in 2014, featuring Paper Aeroplanes, Keston Cobblers’ Club, Jaywalkers, Salt House, Maz O’Connor and the London Youth Folk Ensemble. 2015 Acorn Stage announcements will begin in the New Year.

The FBTO team continue their tradition of ensuring this is a great day out for the whole family, with an expansive craft tent, workshops, children’s activities, storytelling, circus skills, and real ale bar, music stalls, vintage stalls, recycled gifts and delicious food. And they continue to encourage you to bring your own food and drink along and make yourself at home. It’s a compact and leafy site with one main stage so you can pick a grassy spot, kick back and enjoy a whole day of top quality live music.