Meet The Artists!

We are delighted to welcome Chris Brian.

(Scroll to the end to see the next artist, then keep going!)

Chris plays the Woodland Stage

Yorkshire’s Chris Brain has carved his place firmly into the contemporary folk scene following his highly-regarded first two albums, Bound to Rise (2022) and Steady Away (2023). 

Garnering acclaim from Cerys Matthews (BBC 6 Music) and Mark Radcliffe (BBC Radio 2), he has since shared the stage with iconic acts Robert Plant, Jacqui McShee and Martin Simpson.

‘Golden Days’, the first single from Steady Away is now prominently featured in the A24 film ‘We Live In Time’, starring Oscar-nominated actors Florence Pugh and Andrew Garfield.

Chris’s third, much-anticipated album, New Light, was released in Spring 2025.

From sublimely-deployed strings and dappling piano to rhythmic percussion, the album’s arrangements are perfectly wrapped around Brain’s honeyed vocals, anchoring fingerpicked guitar and persuasive melodies.

‘There are shades of the master Ralph Mctell here and I can think of no greater compliment than that…Love it!’ – Mark Radcliffe , BBC 2 Folk Show

Yorkshire Post – ★★★★

Daily Express – ★★★★

Shindig Magazine – ★★★★
Songlines Magazine – ★★★★

What was the first record, CD or book that you bought?
The first book I bought for myself and actually chose to read on my own was Bound for Glory by Woody Guthrie. I think I was drawn to it because of how direct and raw it felt, part memoir, part folklore.

Where did you buy it from?
Pretty straightforward, just from the local Waterstones. Nothing too exciting about that, but the book left an impression.

Is there a piece of music or an artist you love that you feel not enough people know about?
I mostly listen to stuff that’s a bit under the radar. Right now I’ve been listening to Ryley Walker quite a lot. His music’s this mix of folk, jazz, and experimental stuff, it’s interesting without trying too hard to be different.

What was the first gig you went to?
I actually went to see The Darkness when I was 11. Bit of a funny one for a first gig, but it was a good time!

What’s the best gig or performance you’ve been to?
Jessica Pratt and Fleet Foxes stand out. Jessica Pratt’s set was really intimate and stripped-back, while Fleet Foxes felt more expansive and layered. Both were great in totally different ways.

What are you listening to at the moment?
At the moment I’m listening to “The Pelican” by John Renbourn. It’s a brilliant bit of guitar work

Are you reading a book at the moment? If so, what?
Yeah, I’m reading The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle by Haruki Murakami. It’s a bit strange, but in a good way

Thanks Chris – see you in August! X