BBC RADIO 2 FOLK AWARDS | LIVE REVIEW
Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay, Wed 22 April
For those of you lucky enough to attend the 16th annual Radio 2 Folk Awards in Cardiff, the evening was not only a celebration of the luminaries in the folk world but a huge nod to the wealth of talent we have in Wales, which was aptly reflected in the performances and nominees. The highlights of the show, of which there were many, included a captivating performance by Josienne Clarke & Ben Walker (winners of Best Duo) and the mesmerising rendition of Ewan MacColl’s The First Time Ever I saw Your Face by Elbow front man Guy Garvey, accompanied on guitar by Ewan’s sons Callum and Neill. A breath-taking and fitting tribute to a legend of folk, which concluded with MacColl inducted into the Hall of Fame. Billy Bragg presented Peggy Seeger with her Best Original Song Award (you catch Peggy perform at The Attitude Festival this month).
Other notable winners include the very entertaining Loudon Wainwright III, who took to the stage to perform I Knew Your Mother and Double Lifetime. Welsh boy David Grey gave a detailed introduction to Yusef/Cat Stevens and he graciously accepted his award and talked passionately about his career and love of folk and gave a memorable performance which (of course) included Moon Shadow. Nessa, aka Ruth Jones from Gavin & Stacey, presented the Folk Singer Of The Year Award which went to an extremely happy Nancy Kerr, whether or not Nancy agreed to a beer with Nessa is another story. Rising Welsh stars 9Bach, won Best Album (Tincian), the first Welsh act to win in its 16 year history. They closed the show with a rousing performance with a Welsh Male Voice Choir. An evening of brilliant music, touching memories and a glimpse into the future of Folk Music in the UK.
words EMMA CLARK photos BBC/BRIAN TARR