Future of Young Folk Award

Rowan Woodhouse winner of 2023 Future of Young Folk Award

Open to any singer up to the age of 25.

And the winner is…

2023

2022

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2019

2018

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2016

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

2010

2009

2008

2007

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2005

2004

2003

2002

Rowan Woodhouse

Seb Stone

Cathy Bennett

Jon Doran

Sam Baxter

Molly Pipe

Rowan Piggott

Georgia Lewis

Cohen Braithwaite Kilcoyne

Jo Moore and Cuthbert Noble (joint winners)

Rosie Hood

Lydia Noble

Kirsty Bromley

Niamh Boadle

Ffion Thomas and Kate Holland (joint winners)

Maz O’Connor

Elizabeth Hearn

Tina Taylor

Fiona Dunne

Fiona Bradshaw

Katrina Turner and Jim Moray

The Future of Young Folk Award has been running since 2002 and many past winners and competitors are now among the leading performers on the current folk scene. This could be your big chance!
It is open to singers aged under 25 (on September 1st) and was set up to encourage to continuation of unaccompanied singing in the traditional style. Singers will be invited to sing either 1 or 2 songs depending on the time available and while it is not essential that the songs themselves are strictly traditional the style of singing should reflect a traditional approach.
There are no defined rules of performance but the main elements the judges are looking for include:
• To put the song before the performance
• A feel for traditional song (especially from the British Isles)
• The ability to put across the story and emotion behind the song and to engage the audience
• To respect the lyrics as highly as the tune
Clear diction is a key to good performance and the ability to introduce a song and explain its context is valuable. Above all – if possible enjoy singing!

The competition is open to any singer up to the age of 25 and takes place on Sunday in Falcon Mews (a great acoustic venue), from 12 until 1.30pm.

If you would like to join this illustrious hall of fame, pick up an application form from the Information Office on the Festival site and submit it by 6pm on Saturday. The winner will receive a handsome trophy and be booked to appear at next year’s Bromyard and Warwick Folk Festivals and a free recording session in a professional studio (courtesy of Jon Loomes).

Our previous winner Seb Stone performed at these 2023 events: