Folk Album of the Year Returns - Submissions Now Open
Cynefin performing at Folk Album of the Year 2025 Ceremony photographed by Chris Payne
Following a hugely successful inaugural year that reached more than 50,000 people online and attracted a global livestream audience of more than 10,000 viewers, Sound Roots and Folk on Foot have opened submissions for the Folk Album of the Year Award 2026.
The Folk Album of the Year Award, created in 2025, recognises outstanding albums by artists furthering, contributing to and celebrating contemporary and traditional folk, roots and acoustic music. Albums are selected by a distinguished judging panel of performers, promoters, journalists and broadcasters.
The inaugural award saw Barry Kerr crowned winner for his album Curlew's Cry, emerging from a shortlist that showcased some of the most exciting voices in folk music today. All shortlisted artists received dedicated publicity, extensive media coverage and exposure through the Folk on Foot network.
Artists, labels and publishers are now invited to submit eligible albums for consideration. Entries will be judged by the expert judging panel, chaired once again by acclaimed singer-songwriter and BBC Radio 2 producer Kellie While.
Eight albums will be shortlisted in November 2026 before the finalists perform live at Rochdale Town Hall on Tuesday 26 January 2027. The event will be livestreamed to audiences around the world, with the overall winner announced on the night.
The Folk Album of the Year Award aims to showcase the breadth and diversity of folk music across Britain and Ireland celebrating originality, artistic quality and cultural impact, regardless of commercial profile.
Submissions are now open to artists and their representatives, including labels and publishers, and will close at 23:59 on Friday 30 October 2026.
The award is delighted to be supported by Rochdale Development Agency, which has recognised the importance of platforming the work of exceptional artists and the vital role that cultural initiatives play in enriching communities and preserving cultural heritage.
The Award also complements the Sound Roots-commissioned Official Folk Albums Chart, which has run monthly in collaboration with the Official Charts Company since 2020 and spotlights around 120 new folk releases each year.
Reflecting on her time on the jury and at the ceremony, Jude Rogers of The Guardian said:
“The very first, and incredibly impressive, Folk Album of the Year award ceremony… The whole experience was a proper salve for the soul. Covering four albums a month in my column barely scratches the surface of what’s going on.”
David Agnew, Chief Executive and Artistic Director of Sound Roots, said:
“This Award is about celebrating the sheer breadth of creativity and artistic innovation in folk music today. We want to spotlight work that might otherwise go unheard, bringing brilliant new music to the widest possible audiences.”
Matthew Bannister, founder and host of Folk on Foot, commented:
“While the Official Folk Albums Chart highlights the most popular artists, this Award goes deeper – seeking out the extraordinary, the innovative, and the inspiring. Whether you’ve topped the chart or sold just a handful of copies, if you’ve made a remarkable album, we want to hear from you.”
Councillor Susan Smith, Portfolio Holder for Communities and Cooperation, said:
"We were incredibly proud to once again be hosting the Folk Album of the Year Award in Rochdale. The event which reaches audiences across the UK and internationally showcases not only the strength of the folk music community but also the important role that arts and culture play in bringing people together. We look forward to welcoming finalists to Rochdale Town Hall in January next year and encourage artists from across Britain and Ireland to put themselves forward for this fantastic opportunity."
