twenty first Century Folk returns to BBC Radio 2 with unique songs impressed by Sport

BBC Radio 2 is placing folks music entrance and centre this summer season with the return of the award-winning twenty first Century Folk, for its fourth 12 months.  Five famend folks acts are every writing and composing a track about 5 Radio 2 listeners whose lives have been touched or reworked by sport.

The listeners’ tales are being advised to coincide with the summer season of sport because the nation enjoys the FIFA World Cup, Wimbledon, the British Grand Prix, Tour de France, Commonwealth Games, the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in addition to different sport fixtures across the UK. 

twenty first Century Folk is partly impressed by the traditional BBC Radio Ballads which have been created by Charles Parker, Ewan MacColl and Peggy Seeger throughout the late Fifties. These landmark programmes described the lives of actual working folks by means of their very own phrases and unique songs. The Radio Ballads format was additionally revived by Radio 2 throughout the 2000s.

The folks singer-songwriters collaborating this 12 months are Martin Simpson, Katherine Priddy, Eddi Reader and John Douglas, Passenger (AKA Mike Rosenberg), and Megson.

Listeners can hear the songs, contributors and songwriters of twenty first Century Folk completely on BBC Sounds on Monday 29 June at 12.01am. From Monday 29 June till Sunday 5 July, Radio 2 will mark the event with per week of people music programming. The tales and songs can be heard every day on the Jeremy Vine Show, offered by Tina Daheley (weekdays, noon-2pm).  Mark Radcliffe will current a Radio 2 Folk Show particular on Wednesday 1 July (9-10pm), and Radio 2 listeners can hear twenty first Century Folk on Sunday 5 July, (8–10pm).

Helen Thomas, Head of BBC Radio 2, stated: “Folk music has always been a very important part of what we do at Radio 2, and I’m delighted to bring back the multi-award winning 21st Century Folk for its fourth series – this year themed around all things sporting. Thanks go to our five featured listeners who have so generously shared their inspirational stories, and the five incredible artists, whose musical creativity so perfectly encapsulates the joy and emotion within.”

Mark Radcliffe stated: “I couldn’t be prouder of 21st Century Folk – yet again creating top quality original songs to celebrate the stories of tribulations overcome by five remarkable individuals. I say this every year and see no need to change it – 21st Century Folk is a wholly noble endeavour.”

Story One

Andy from Staffordshire tells the story of his adopted uncle Adrian, who had a ardour for boxing earlier than he was killed in an accident on the age of 18 whereas serving to a girl change a tyre on the roadside on Christmas Day 1974. Andy took his uncle’s valuable leather-based boxing gloves to BBC One’s The Repair Shop, the place they have been restored by a grasp saddler.

Martin Simpson from Sheffield is a grasp folks singer and world-class guitarist who blends conventional materials with unique songwriting. He holds the file for probably the most nominations (32) in BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards historical past. He has labored with Jackson Browne, Richard Thompson and Bonnie Raitt.

Story Two

Hannah from Shropshire loves sport and biking, which have been central to her life and serving to her address being a younger carer taking care of her sister, Sally.  In 2022, Hannah suffered a mind harm after a crash throughout coaching, which left her with persistent, debilitating complications.  She overcame the chances and made a full restoration.  Hannah now combines her ardour for caring and health and has simply certified as a firefighter.

Katherine Priddy from Birmingham is the standout new folks artist of the final 5 years.  She’s carried out on BBC Two’s Later with Jools Holland and has supported Richard Thompson and Suzanne Vega on tour. Her third album These Frightening Machines got here out in March 2026. 

Story Three

The grandson of a Trinidadian runner, Jonathan from Glasgow took up the game throughout lockdown to assist overcome a deep melancholy. Jonathan is recognised across the metropolis as he runs bare-chested, and has raised 1000’s of kilos for CALM and different charities.

Eddi Reader, from Glasgow, is a winner of three Brit Awards, extensively recognized for the hit singles Perfect (with Fairground Attraction), and Patience Of Angels (solo). She is widely known for her emotional supply, connecting with audiences throughout folks, pop, and conventional music, together with her acclaimed Robert Burns recordings. Eddi performs recurrently along with her husband, John Douglas – a founding member of the Trashcan Sinatras.

Story Four

Victor was born in Sierra Leone and on the age of six was kidnapped, drugged and compelled to battle in opposition to the federal government there throughout the nation’s civil conflict. Fleeing to London, he skilled homelessness and battled with PTSD. However, varied charities reworked his life. One of these was Arsenal within the Community, the place Victor performed weekly soccer matches and took half in a pictures course. He now works for a operating charity and assists Arsenal’s official photographers.

Passenger, AKA Michael Rosenberg, is greatest recognized for his 2012 international hit Let Her Go, which reached primary in 16 nations and has had 6 billion streams. He wrote the music for the musical The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry, which not too long ago ran within the West End. He supported Ed Sheeran on tour and is a eager supporter of Arsenal soccer membership.

Story Five

Jackie, 61, from Teesside excelled at soccer as a young person, and performed for Boro Ladies. She turned down the prospect to coach with England as she couldn’t afford the journey prices. Jackie returned to league soccer after 35 years and at last, aged 61, bought her nationwide call-up to signify the over-60s Walking Football staff. She’s dubbed ‘Jackie Grealish’ by Redcar Ladies followers, such are her equally silky soccer abilities!

Megson, who’re from Teesside however based mostly in Hertfordshire, are husband and spouse Debbie and Stu Hanna. They’re four-times BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards nominees and have been described by The Guardian as “the most original duo on the British Folk scene”, as they mix northern humour with clever songwriting. They, like Jackie, share a deep love of their house county of Teesside and have written songs about rising up within the area.

Hear the songs, contributors and songwriters in a particular programme, twenty first Century Folk 2026, on BBC Sounds from Monday 29 June.

The contributors and singer-songwriters will even be interviewed on the Jeremy Vine Show on Radio 2, offered by Tina Daheley that week (from Monday 29 June – Friday 3 July, 12-2pm) the place every track can be performed on air.

Listen to Radio 2’s Folk Show with Mark Radcliffe (Wednesday 30 July, 9-10pm) can be a twenty first Century Folk particular, produced by Pomona Audio.

EC2

Follow for extra