BBC Radio 2’s 21st Century Folk initiative is returning to the network as part of a week-long focus on the genre.
21st Century Folk features five folk artists writing a song about five inspiring people from around the UK.
Radio 2 will put a spotlight on folk music across a week of programming from July 29 to August 4.
As the RNLI marks its 200th anniversary in 2024, this year’s theme of 21st Century Folk is people whose lives are intertwined with the sea. Five listeners have been paired with folk singer-songwriters who will write original songs based on their lives and tales of the water.
Radio 2 presenter Mark Radcliffe said: “I'm so proud to be part of the return of the award-winning 21st Century Folk and genuinely so proud of Radio 2 for putting so much behind the project. It is a wholly noble endeavour. It adheres to the age-old tradition of telling the stories of people’s lives in folk song whilst simultaneously highlighting experiences that chime with many of us.
“In addition it showcases the work of some of our finest contemporary folk artists and gives them the lifeblood of mainstream exposure. I couldn’t be prouder, and especially in the year RNLI celebrates its 200th anniversary. As I said, it is a wholly noble endeavour.”
Head of station Helen Thomas said: “Radio 2’s commitment to specialist music is unsurpassed on UK radio and, following last year’s award-winning 21st Century Folk, I’m proud that it is returning later this month. Once again, we’ll be putting beautifully crafted British storytelling through the prism of folk music at the heart of our daytime output and on BBC Sounds and BBC iPlayer with five new songs about five extraordinary people from across the UK.”
21st Century Folk in 2023 put the focus on five people who live and work in the North East of England and won Gold for Best Music Special at the ARIAs, silver for Best Music Special and bronze for Best Original Music at the 2023 New York Festivals Radio Awards. It also won Audio Production Of The Year at the Prolific North Champions Awards.
Radio 2’s commitment to specialist music is unsurpassed on UK radio
Helen Thomas
This year’s contributors and singer-songwriters are:
Anna Heslop, the first female helm at RNLI Cullercoats’, has had her bespoke song – called Anna – co-written and performed by Lady Nade and Boo Hewerdine.
Kayaker, yachtsman and former soldier Jeff Allen has dedicated himself to boat-building and kayaking as a way to find peace, and leads expeditions on water around the world. His song – called Flow – is co-written and performed by Cara Dillon and Sam Lakeman.
Vicky Murphy from Cornwall was eight months pregnant when she was rescued from a flooding cave with her husband Marc, and their song – called Chapel Porth Beach – is written and performed by Martyn Joseph.
Emma Neave-Webb lives in Orkney and is a marine wildlife conservationist whose work and efforts to save a stranded whale has inspired the song – called Pilot Whales – written and performed by Kris Drever (pictured together).
Rescued from the sea then becoming an RNLI lifeboat volunteer in London, Al Kassim’s song – called Brave Volunteers – has been co-written and performed by Seth Lakeman and Fisherman’s Friends.
Kris Drever, who has written Emma’s song, said: “When I was invited to take part in 21st Century Folk, the whole concept sounded really intriguing to me, and even more so when I heard about Emma’s incredible story and that she is based in Sanday where my family is from. Emma’s journey, from being a PA in London then moving to Orkney to save whales, was fascinating to me and provided such inspiration to craft a song about her beautiful life.”
The songs, contributors and songwriters will feature on 21st Century Folk 2024 on BBC Sounds from Monday, July 29 and on BBC Radio 2 on Sunday, August 4, 8-10pm.
Performances of the five songs for 21st Century Folk 2024 will be available on BBC iPlayer from Monday, July 29.
The contributors and singer-songwriters will also be interviewed on The Jeremy Vine Show on Radio 2 across the week (from Monday, July 29 to Friday, August 2, 12-2pm) where each song will be played on air.
Friday’s edition of the show will be an outside broadcast from the Sidmouth Folk Festival, where Seth Lakeman and Fisherman’s Friends will perform their song live.
Radio 2’s Folk Show with Mark Radcliffe will also feature the songs and interviews with the artists (Wednesday, July 31, 9-10pm). The following week it will feature music from some of the artists who performed live at Sidmouth Folk Festival (Wednesday, August 7, 9-10pm).
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