Power Folk returns to Nortons! Sun 7 June
The Folk Ensemble’s annual hometown party is back in Digbeth for its 13th year, and it’s one of those days where you just settle in early and don’t make other plans.
From 2pm through to late, we’ve got a full run of bands, big sounds, and the kind of energy that builds all day and doesn’t really let you go.
Kicking things off, the University of Birmingham Folk Band get us underway – one of the most exciting young groups in the city, led by Paloma Trigás (Urban Folk Quartet, Carlos Núñez and plenty more). If you like your folk sharp, lively and properly played, you’re in good hands.
Then straight into GOOD HABITS bringing uplifting indie folk fusion – the sort that gets people smiling early doors. BBC 6 Music and Songlines already backing them, so we’re not the only ones paying attention.
Urban Folk Quartet follow with serious intent. High energy, cross-genre, and ridiculously tight. One of those bands where you look up halfway through and realise the whole room’s locked in.
Potts and Jammin turn things up a notch after that – soulful, rootsy rock with a bit more weight behind it. If you’ve seen Potts before, this is him louder, fuller, and not holding back.
Then it’s Blackbeard’s Tea Party – swagger, sea shanties, folk turned sideways into something bigger and a bit chaotic in the best way.
And then the main event.
Joe Broughton’s Conservatoire Folk Ensemble.
80 musicians. No exaggeration. No easing into it.
This is their hometown set, once a year, full force. It’s the reason Power Folk exists and it does exactly what it says on the tin.
From there, we’re not letting it drift off quietly.
Selectah Si Chai takes over into the night – a proper dig through global sounds, built for dancing, built for people who aren’t quite ready to call it.
Alongside it all, we’ve got The Woodman Session running in the next room – open, welcoming, bring your instrument if you fancy it. No pressure, just people getting involved.
And in between everything, Tom Chapman keeping things ticking over with a steady run of danceable bits so it never drops.