Matthew Bannister
@matthewbannister.bsky.social
Broadcaster. Host of Last Word on BBC Radio 4 and my own multi award winning Folk on Foot podcast (@folkonfoot.com). Posts all personal.
Reposted by Matthew Bannister
New at #3 in this month’s Official Folk Albums Chart is Nick Harper. His album, "58 Fordwych Rd", recalls listening to his Dad Roy jamming with the stars of the 60s folk revival in their flat in Kilburn when Nick was a kid.
▶️ Watch the full show here: youtu.be/n9eYVGBdKAw
@harperspace.bsky.social
▶️ Watch the full show here: youtu.be/n9eYVGBdKAw
@harperspace.bsky.social
November 6, 2025 at 6:06 PM
New at #3 in this month’s Official Folk Albums Chart is Nick Harper. His album, "58 Fordwych Rd", recalls listening to his Dad Roy jamming with the stars of the 60s folk revival in their flat in Kilburn when Nick was a kid.
▶️ Watch the full show here: youtu.be/n9eYVGBdKAw
@harperspace.bsky.social
▶️ Watch the full show here: youtu.be/n9eYVGBdKAw
@harperspace.bsky.social
Reposted by Matthew Bannister
Shooting into the Official Folk Albums Chart at #7 this month comes John Smith. His album, "Gatherings", celebrates 20 years in music with new versions of some of his best loved songs.
▶️ Watch the full show here: youtu.be/n9eYVGBdKAw
▶️ Watch the full show here: youtu.be/n9eYVGBdKAw
November 5, 2025 at 6:16 PM
Shooting into the Official Folk Albums Chart at #7 this month comes John Smith. His album, "Gatherings", celebrates 20 years in music with new versions of some of his best loved songs.
▶️ Watch the full show here: youtu.be/n9eYVGBdKAw
▶️ Watch the full show here: youtu.be/n9eYVGBdKAw
Reposted by Matthew Bannister
On this month's Chart Show, Matthew chats to Katie Spencer about her new album, "What Love Is", plus there's music from Nick Harper, John Smith, Kathryn Williams, Cerys Hafana, Leveret, Niall McNamee and Brown Boots Boogie Band.
Tune in on YouTube from 7pm - set a reminder now:
youtu.be/n9eYVGBdKAw
Tune in on YouTube from 7pm - set a reminder now:
youtu.be/n9eYVGBdKAw
November 4, 2025 at 9:25 AM
On this month's Chart Show, Matthew chats to Katie Spencer about her new album, "What Love Is", plus there's music from Nick Harper, John Smith, Kathryn Williams, Cerys Hafana, Leveret, Niall McNamee and Brown Boots Boogie Band.
Tune in on YouTube from 7pm - set a reminder now:
youtu.be/n9eYVGBdKAw
Tune in on YouTube from 7pm - set a reminder now:
youtu.be/n9eYVGBdKAw
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/... Here’s Sam West’s heartfelt tribute to his Mum Prunella Scales - a Last Word special
Last Word - SPECIAL EDITION: Prunella Scales - BBC Sounds
Matthew Bannister talks to Samuel West about his mother Prunella Scales
www.bbc.co.uk
October 31, 2025 at 9:30 AM
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/... Here’s Sam West’s heartfelt tribute to his Mum Prunella Scales - a Last Word special
Met Gareth yesterday on Holy Island while recording Folk
On Foot. His project is really inspiring. Find out more and support here. A Troubadour Journey : Lindisfarne to Durham www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/troubadour...
On Foot. His project is really inspiring. Find out more and support here. A Troubadour Journey : Lindisfarne to Durham www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/troubadour...
A Troubadour Journey : Lindisfarne to Durham
Original songs born on St Oswald's Way & The Way of Light. Help me record and release something beautiful inspired by my musical pilgrimage.
www.crowdfunder.co.uk
October 29, 2025 at 3:53 PM
Met Gareth yesterday on Holy Island while recording Folk
On Foot. His project is really inspiring. Find out more and support here. A Troubadour Journey : Lindisfarne to Durham www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/troubadour...
On Foot. His project is really inspiring. Find out more and support here. A Troubadour Journey : Lindisfarne to Durham www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/troubadour...
Reposted by Matthew Bannister
Now on sale: the fourth Indoor Festival of Folk.
Featuring the country's finest folk artists: Maddy Prior and Peter Knight, Chris Wood, Lisa Knapp & Gerry Diver, Ellie Gowers, The Magpie Arc PLUS a unique interview with Matthew Bannister and a special guest.
Sat 7 Feb bit.ly/4qC4y0c
Featuring the country's finest folk artists: Maddy Prior and Peter Knight, Chris Wood, Lisa Knapp & Gerry Diver, Ellie Gowers, The Magpie Arc PLUS a unique interview with Matthew Bannister and a special guest.
Sat 7 Feb bit.ly/4qC4y0c
Indoor Festival of Folk
A day-long winter feast of music and very special guests under Cecil Sharp House’s historic roof, co-hosted by EFDSS and folk rock supergroup The Magpie Arc.
bit.ly
October 28, 2025 at 5:29 PM
Now on sale: the fourth Indoor Festival of Folk.
Featuring the country's finest folk artists: Maddy Prior and Peter Knight, Chris Wood, Lisa Knapp & Gerry Diver, Ellie Gowers, The Magpie Arc PLUS a unique interview with Matthew Bannister and a special guest.
Sat 7 Feb bit.ly/4qC4y0c
Featuring the country's finest folk artists: Maddy Prior and Peter Knight, Chris Wood, Lisa Knapp & Gerry Diver, Ellie Gowers, The Magpie Arc PLUS a unique interview with Matthew Bannister and a special guest.
Sat 7 Feb bit.ly/4qC4y0c
This is so moving…
Take a deep dive into the stories and songs of Northumberland with pipe player Kathryn Tickell and her Dad Mike in this classic episode from 2022.
🎧 Listen here - pod.fo/e/344d44
🎧 Listen here - pod.fo/e/344d44
October 27, 2025 at 9:10 AM
This is so moving…
Reposted by Matthew Bannister
How does Rosie Hodgson of The Wilderness Yet warm up for a tongue-twisting song?
🎧 Hear more in our new episode, out now: pod.fo/e/33eccc
🎧 Hear more in our new episode, out now: pod.fo/e/33eccc
October 25, 2025 at 8:49 AM
How does Rosie Hodgson of The Wilderness Yet warm up for a tongue-twisting song?
🎧 Hear more in our new episode, out now: pod.fo/e/33eccc
🎧 Hear more in our new episode, out now: pod.fo/e/33eccc
Reposted by Matthew Bannister
Come celebrate Nancy Kerr and @jamesfagan.bsky.social's 30th anniversary at this special gig looking back at their life together in music.
The duo combine stunning vocals and stellar instrumentation on fiddle, guitar and bouzouki with Nancy's poetic lyrics.
Sat 15 Nov bit.ly/3TQEmji
The duo combine stunning vocals and stellar instrumentation on fiddle, guitar and bouzouki with Nancy's poetic lyrics.
Sat 15 Nov bit.ly/3TQEmji
Nancy Kerr and James Fagan
“The telepathic and sympathetic interplay of Kerr and Fagan never fails to amaze” - Pay the Reckoning
bit.ly
October 24, 2025 at 3:10 PM
Come celebrate Nancy Kerr and @jamesfagan.bsky.social's 30th anniversary at this special gig looking back at their life together in music.
The duo combine stunning vocals and stellar instrumentation on fiddle, guitar and bouzouki with Nancy's poetic lyrics.
Sat 15 Nov bit.ly/3TQEmji
The duo combine stunning vocals and stellar instrumentation on fiddle, guitar and bouzouki with Nancy's poetic lyrics.
Sat 15 Nov bit.ly/3TQEmji
The Song Detectorists unearth music in the most unlikely places tonight at 9.45pm on Radio 3: political balladry hidden in legal documents and - most exciting of all - a score in Henry Purcell's own hand among the minutes of a town council. @musicheritageplace.bsky.social @nancyannfolk.bsky.social
October 24, 2025 at 1:55 PM
The Song Detectorists unearth music in the most unlikely places tonight at 9.45pm on Radio 3: political balladry hidden in legal documents and - most exciting of all - a score in Henry Purcell's own hand among the minutes of a town council. @musicheritageplace.bsky.social @nancyannfolk.bsky.social
Reposted by Matthew Bannister
The words of Robert Burns sung by The Wilderness Yet on Iping Common in West Sussex.
🍂 Listen to our Autumnal musical walk here: pod.fo/e/33eccc
🍂 Listen to our Autumnal musical walk here: pod.fo/e/33eccc
October 23, 2025 at 5:06 PM
The words of Robert Burns sung by The Wilderness Yet on Iping Common in West Sussex.
🍂 Listen to our Autumnal musical walk here: pod.fo/e/33eccc
🍂 Listen to our Autumnal musical walk here: pod.fo/e/33eccc
The Song Detectorists of @musicheritageplace.bsky.social take me to Northamptonshire tonight at 9.45pm on BBC Radio 3 in search of The Maunsell Family Music Book. Then @nancyannfolk.bsky.social and The Melrose Quartet bring it back to life. Top production by @natalie-steed.bsky.social
October 23, 2025 at 11:12 AM
The Song Detectorists of @musicheritageplace.bsky.social take me to Northamptonshire tonight at 9.45pm on BBC Radio 3 in search of The Maunsell Family Music Book. Then @nancyannfolk.bsky.social and The Melrose Quartet bring it back to life. Top production by @natalie-steed.bsky.social
Reposted by Matthew Bannister
Tonight on BBC Radio 3, Matthew and the Song Detectorists discover why a gentlewoman from Wiltshire collected this salty song of the sea (sung by the wonderful Melrose Quartet).
Tune in at 21:45 or listen afterwards on BBC Sounds.
@nancyannfolk.bsky.social
Tune in at 21:45 or listen afterwards on BBC Sounds.
@nancyannfolk.bsky.social
October 22, 2025 at 5:08 PM
Tonight on BBC Radio 3, Matthew and the Song Detectorists discover why a gentlewoman from Wiltshire collected this salty song of the sea (sung by the wonderful Melrose Quartet).
Tune in at 21:45 or listen afterwards on BBC Sounds.
@nancyannfolk.bsky.social
Tune in at 21:45 or listen afterwards on BBC Sounds.
@nancyannfolk.bsky.social
Reposted by Matthew Bannister
A great song from last night's The Song Detectorists on BBC Radio 3. The Jolly Miller, from one of the books in the Dixon collection in the archives in Lincolnshire. Performed by The Melrose Quartet. Catch up here on BBC Sounds. www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
October 22, 2025 at 11:01 AM
A great song from last night's The Song Detectorists on BBC Radio 3. The Jolly Miller, from one of the books in the Dixon collection in the archives in Lincolnshire. Performed by The Melrose Quartet. Catch up here on BBC Sounds. www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand... Here we are in Lincolnshire - tracking down the Devil and - on a brighter note - The Jolly Miller. @nancyannfolk.bsky.social @musicheritageplace.bsky.social @natalie-steed.bsky.social
BBC Sounds - The Essay - Available Episodes
Listen to the latest episodes of The Essay on BBC Sounds.
www.bbc.co.uk
October 21, 2025 at 9:49 PM
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand... Here we are in Lincolnshire - tracking down the Devil and - on a brighter note - The Jolly Miller. @nancyannfolk.bsky.social @musicheritageplace.bsky.social @natalie-steed.bsky.social
Reposted by Matthew Bannister
“Outed as a Morris dancer”! In our new episode, Rosie Hodgson of The Wilderness Yet tells how her secret was revealed in front of the whole school.
🎧 Listen to the full episode here: pod.fo/e/33eccc
🎧 Listen to the full episode here: pod.fo/e/33eccc
October 21, 2025 at 4:26 PM
“Outed as a Morris dancer”! In our new episode, Rosie Hodgson of The Wilderness Yet tells how her secret was revealed in front of the whole school.
🎧 Listen to the full episode here: pod.fo/e/33eccc
🎧 Listen to the full episode here: pod.fo/e/33eccc
We're off to Lincolnshire in search of the Devil with Carol Dawson, @nancyannfolk.bsky.social and the Melrose Quartet and @musicheritageplace.bsky.social in tonight's Song Detectorists on Radio 3 at 9.45pm. Lovely production, as ever, by @natalie-steed.bsky.social
October 21, 2025 at 9:31 AM
We're off to Lincolnshire in search of the Devil with Carol Dawson, @nancyannfolk.bsky.social and the Melrose Quartet and @musicheritageplace.bsky.social in tonight's Song Detectorists on Radio 3 at 9.45pm. Lovely production, as ever, by @natalie-steed.bsky.social
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/... In case you missed it - here’s tonight’s Song Detectorists - “rewilding” the West Gallery compositions of a thatcher from Shropshire. Thanks to @nancyannfolk.bsky.social and The Melrose Quartet, @musicheritageplace.bsky.social and @natalie-steed.bsky.social
The Essay - The Song Detectorists - 6. Shropshire - BBC Sounds
Matthew Bannister travels across England finding out about music discovered in archives.
www.bbc.co.uk
October 20, 2025 at 9:29 PM
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/... In case you missed it - here’s tonight’s Song Detectorists - “rewilding” the West Gallery compositions of a thatcher from Shropshire. Thanks to @nancyannfolk.bsky.social and The Melrose Quartet, @musicheritageplace.bsky.social and @natalie-steed.bsky.social
Reposted by Matthew Bannister
Series 2 of The Song Detectorists launches tonight! Featuring me with Melrose Quartet, and the @musicheritageplace.bsky.social team.
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
BBC Radio 3 - The Essay, The Song Detectorists, 6. Shropshire
Matthew Bannister travels across England finding out about music discovered in archives.
www.bbc.co.uk
October 20, 2025 at 3:22 PM
Series 2 of The Song Detectorists launches tonight! Featuring me with Melrose Quartet, and the @musicheritageplace.bsky.social team.
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
I loved going back on the road with The Song Detectorists from @musicheritageplace.bsky.social and the brilliant Melrose Quartet - all under the acute creative ear of @natalie-steed.bsky.social . Hear the musical gems we uncovered in the County archives on BBC Radio 3 all this week at 2145.
October 20, 2025 at 9:19 AM
I loved going back on the road with The Song Detectorists from @musicheritageplace.bsky.social and the brilliant Melrose Quartet - all under the acute creative ear of @natalie-steed.bsky.social . Hear the musical gems we uncovered in the County archives on BBC Radio 3 all this week at 2145.
Reposted by Matthew Bannister
Celebrate the “Beauties of Autumn” in our new episode, featuring the gorgeous harmonies of The Wilderness Yet on Iping Common in West Sussex.
🎧 Listen here: pod.fo/e/33eccc
🎧 Listen here: pod.fo/e/33eccc
October 19, 2025 at 9:04 AM
Celebrate the “Beauties of Autumn” in our new episode, featuring the gorgeous harmonies of The Wilderness Yet on Iping Common in West Sussex.
🎧 Listen here: pod.fo/e/33eccc
🎧 Listen here: pod.fo/e/33eccc
Is it an angel? No, it’s Frankie Archer making a striking appearance at yesterday’s Indoor Festival of Folk (North). @themagpiearc.bsky.social @settlevictoriahall.bsky.social
October 19, 2025 at 9:22 AM
Is it an angel? No, it’s Frankie Archer making a striking appearance at yesterday’s Indoor Festival of Folk (North). @themagpiearc.bsky.social @settlevictoriahall.bsky.social
The mighty @themagpiearc.bsky.social bringing the Indoor Festival of Folk
(North) to a powerful end. Thanks to The Bookshop Band, Frankie Archer, Ashley Hutchings and Sam Carter for an amazing day here at @settlevictoriahall.bsky.social
(North) to a powerful end. Thanks to The Bookshop Band, Frankie Archer, Ashley Hutchings and Sam Carter for an amazing day here at @settlevictoriahall.bsky.social
October 18, 2025 at 9:45 PM
The mighty @themagpiearc.bsky.social bringing the Indoor Festival of Folk
(North) to a powerful end. Thanks to The Bookshop Band, Frankie Archer, Ashley Hutchings and Sam Carter for an amazing day here at @settlevictoriahall.bsky.social
(North) to a powerful end. Thanks to The Bookshop Band, Frankie Archer, Ashley Hutchings and Sam Carter for an amazing day here at @settlevictoriahall.bsky.social
Sound checking in Settle with the Bookshop Band ahead of today’s Indoor Festival of Folk at the Victoria Hall. Not long now……….
October 18, 2025 at 11:42 AM
Sound checking in Settle with the Bookshop Band ahead of today’s Indoor Festival of Folk at the Victoria Hall. Not long now……….
Reposted by Matthew Bannister
🌟The Song Detectorists are back🌟
Tune into BBC Radio 3 at 9.45pm between Monday 20 October and Friday 24 October to join @matthewbannister.bsky.social @natalie-steed.bsky.social @nancykerr.bsky.social the Melrose Quartet, project team, archivists and local historians to discover more musical gold
Tune into BBC Radio 3 at 9.45pm between Monday 20 October and Friday 24 October to join @matthewbannister.bsky.social @natalie-steed.bsky.social @nancykerr.bsky.social the Melrose Quartet, project team, archivists and local historians to discover more musical gold
October 17, 2025 at 6:36 PM
🌟The Song Detectorists are back🌟
Tune into BBC Radio 3 at 9.45pm between Monday 20 October and Friday 24 October to join @matthewbannister.bsky.social @natalie-steed.bsky.social @nancykerr.bsky.social the Melrose Quartet, project team, archivists and local historians to discover more musical gold
Tune into BBC Radio 3 at 9.45pm between Monday 20 October and Friday 24 October to join @matthewbannister.bsky.social @natalie-steed.bsky.social @nancykerr.bsky.social the Melrose Quartet, project team, archivists and local historians to discover more musical gold