27 April 2016

Tonight Maverick will attend the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards. The Awards are one one of the biggest dates in the UK folk music’s calendar. Now in their 17th year, the Folk Awards will take place at the Royal Albert Hall in London. The awards will once again be hosted by Radio 2’s Mark Radcliffe and singer and musician Julie Fowlis. Attendees will be invited to celebrate the very best of the UK’s ever-thriving folk scene, many of whom have been supported by Maverick Magazine. The Awards celebrate the best new music of the last 12 months, whilst also honouring the important figures who have helped to shape folk music in the UK. This year’s Lifetime achievement awards go to Joan Armatrading, one of the most impressive voices on British music since the 70s and Norma Waterson, a leading figure in the British folk revival of the early 60s with North Yorkshire vocal group The Watersons. The Young Folk Award has been a great help for exciting new artists over the years, this year’s winner will likely see an exciting step-up in their careers.   The Folk Awards will be broadcast live on BBC Radio 2 from 7.30pm and Simon Mayo will also be presenting a specially extended Drivetime show live from the venue at 5pm. Viewers can also watch online via the Radio 2 website, on iPlayer from Thursday morning and the Red Button from Saturday. This year’s inductee into the Radio 2 Folk Awards Hall of Fame will be the legendary Sandy Denny. The Hall of Fame exists to recognise the special contribution of an individual to the world of folk music; someone whose impact and influence has had a lasting impression. The full nominees are as follows Folk Singer of the Year: Eliza Carthy Rhiannon Giddens Sam Lee Emily Portman Best Duo: Gilmore & Roberts Phillip Henry & Hannah Martin Kathryn Roberts & Sean Lakeman Marry Waterson & David A. Jaycock Best Group: Leveret Lynched Stick In The Wheel The Young’uns Best Album: Damien O’Kane – Areas of High Traffic Lynched – Cold Old Fire The Unthanks – Mount The Air False Lights – Salvor Show of Hands – The Long Way Home Horizon Award: Rosie Hood Sam Kelly Lynched The Rheingans Sisters Musician of the Year: Ross Ainslie Andy Cutting Richard Thompson Dan Walsh Best Original Track: The Rheingans Sisters – Mackerel Marry Waterson & David A. Jaycock – Sing Me Into Your Tune Rufus & Martha Wainwright – Sweet Thames, Flow Softly Spiro – The Vapourer Best Traditional Track: Sam Lee – Lovely Molly Ghazalaw – Moliannwn Stick In The Wheel – Seven Gypsies The Furrow Collective – The Unquiet Grave BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Award Causeway Trio Brighde Chaimbeul Jack Cookson Benammi Swift