Nations of Folk: A Musical Tour

Mark Radcliffe champions the best folk music around the UK by connecting to radio shows in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales.

Mark’s fellow folk presenters Lynette Fay, Bruce MacGregor and Frank Hennessy choose their highlights from the past year and introduce live performances from standout artists. Mark will represent England from his studio in Salford.

Karine Polwart & Dave Milligan, Katherine Priddy, TRÚ and Calan will be among the guests, and this show will be simulcast on BBC Radio 2, Radio Scotland, Radio Wales, Radio Ulster and Radio Foyle.

The folk scenes of the UK have close ties, but distinctive sounds and communities. In this show, Mark Radcliffe makes a radio tour of these musical islands, toasting the best music, moments and events of 2021.

In Glasgow, Bruce MacGregor will be joined by Karine Polwart and Dave Milligan for a live session. Karine and Dave's piano-based album Still As Your Sleeping has been a beautiful highlight of 2021.

Northern Irish band TRÚ will join Lynette Fay for a live session in Belfast. The young group focus on music, songs and stories from their own part of the world, giving traditional material an electric twist. TRÚ's debut album, No Fixed Abode, was released in 2021.

Singer-songwriter Katherine Priddy will perform in Salford. Katherine is from the West Midlands and released her debut album, The Eternal Rocks Beneath, in 2021. It has been called "the best thing I've heard all year" by Richard Thompson, and Katherine's fans include Tom Robinson and Elbow's Guy Garvey.

Frank Hennessy will speak to members of Welsh band Calan, and we'll hear recordings of Calan in front of a live audience at Cardiff venue The Gate Arts Centre.

Mark's co-hosts all present folk and acoustic shows across the BBC. Lynette Fay presents Folk Club in Northern Ireland, Bruce MacGregor fronts Travelling Folk in Scotland, and Frank Hennessy presents Celtic Heartbeat in Wales. All their programmes can be found on BBC Sounds.