Folk Gigs in May 2026

Fri, May 1 - Concorde 2 Brighton

LOVE with JOHNNY ECHOLS

Love with Johnny Echols at Concorde 2 is not a folk event but centres on J-pop sounds.

Fri, May 1 - Brudenell Social Club Leeds

LET IT HISS TOUR

Folk-rooted indie folk and folk rock from The Barr Brothers on the Let It Hiss Tour at Brudenell Social Club Leeds.

Fri, May 1 - Brudenell Social Club Leeds

LET IT HISS TOUR

The Barr Brothers perform folk rock and indie folk on their Let It Hiss Tour at Brudenell Social Club Leeds.

Fri, May 1, Wed, May 6, Thu, May 7

PEARL CHARLES

Folk rock takes centre stage as Pearl Charles tours intimate UK rooms with her storytelling-led songs.

Fri, May 1 - Sun, May 31

2026 Acoustic Tour

Lucy Spraggan’s 2026 Acoustic Tour is rooted in folk, with intimate storytelling shows across UK venues.

Fri, May 1, Sun, May 3, Mon, May 4

DOUBLE HEADLINER TOUR

Folk takes centre stage as The Trouble Notes and 3 Daft Monkeys share a double-headline run of UK dates.

Fri, May 1 - Sat, May 30 - Ramsgate Music Hall

May | What's on

Folk and folktronica at Ramsgate Music Hall come from The Pictish Trail’s electronic folk set on 5 May 2026.

Fri, May 1, Sun, May 3, Mon, May 4 - The O2 London

The Look at My Life Tour (Gracie Abrams)

Fri, May 1, Sun, May 3, Mon, May 4 - The O2 London

The Look at My Life Tour (Gracie Abrams)

Fri, May 1, Sun, May 3, Mon, May 4 - The O2 London

The Look at My Life Tour (Gracie Abrams)

Fri, May 1, Sun, May 3, Mon, May 4 - The O2 London

The Look at My Life Tour (Gracie Abrams)

Sat, May 2 - Sat, May 2 - La Providence Stage Rochester

Rochester Sweeps Festival 2026

William Harper plays alternative folk, contemporary folk and folk punk at Rochester Sweeps Festival 2026.

Sun, May 3 - The Half Moon Putney London

LIGHTNING THREADS

Lightning Threads head up a roots-driven bill at Half Moon Putney with Americana support from The Fargo Railroad Co.

Sun, May 3 - Moth Club London

2020s Vision Club Night

Folk and indie folk textures surface in Alex G and Mitski’s sets during the 2020s Vision Club Night at Moth Club.

Mon, May 4, Wed, May 6, Thu, May 7

20 Years of Undiscovered

James Morrison’s singer-songwriter roots add a folk edge to his pop and soul-driven 20 Years of Undiscovered shows.

Mon, May 4 - Leeds City Varieties Music Hall

L.Y.R.

Indie folk comes to City Varieties as Yoshika Colwell supports Lyr in Leeds.

Mon, May 4 - Sat, May 30

James Morrison - 20 Years of Undiscovered

Singer-songwriter storytelling sits alongside pop, rock and soul across James Morrison’s tour dates.

Tue, May 5 - Exchange Bristol

SEAN ROWE

Folk and singer-songwriter gig from Sean Rowe at Exchange in Bristol on 5 May 2026.

Tue, May 5 - The O2 London

ROSALÍA LUX TOUR 2026

Rosalía reworks flamenco-rooted folk traditions within a modern pop and Latin setting at THE O2.

Tue, May 5 - O2 Academy Glasgow

Stephen Sanchez!

Stephen Sanchez brings a folk-inflected folk pop and jangle pop headline gig to O2 Academy Glasgow.

Tue, May 5 - The Joiners Southampton

THE JOINERS SUMMER SHOWS

Wed, May 6 - Boilerroom Guildford

PICTISH TRAIL

Folk-rooted songwriting from The Pictish Trail at BOILERROOM Guildford on 6 May 2026.

Thu, May 7 - Union Chapel London

Albert Lee Band

Folk takes centre stage as Albert Lee plays a guitar-led folk gig at Union Chapel London.

Thu, May 7 - Thu, May 14

A Quiet Celebration

Paul Simon’s A Quiet Celebration focuses on contemporary folk across arenas in Liverpool, Glasgow and London.

Fri, May 8 - HOWARD ASSEMBLY ROOM

ROBERT FINLEY

Story-led songwriting from Robert Finley adds a roots and folk edge to this Howard Assembly Room show.

Fri, May 8 - The Academy Dublin

The Longest Johns

Folk and sea shanty group The Longest Johns headline The Academy Dublin, with support from Bog Bodies.

Fri, May 8 - Tengu Dublin 1

ADRIAN CROWLEY + Special Guest Lizzi Murtough

Sat, May 9 - The Attic Leeds

Smote

Smote’s folk-infused ambient and drone set at The Attic brings this gig onto the folk listings.

Sun, May 10 - 100 Club London

GREAT LAKE SWIMMERS

Great Lake Swimmers bring chamber folk and contemporary folk to 100 Club London with support from Portland.

Sun, May 10 - Brudenell Social Club Leeds

COMING SOON

Folk is represented by Leeds songwriter Chris Brain headlining Brudenell Social Club in April 2026.

Sun, May 10 - Brudenell Social Club Leeds

COMING SOON

Indie folk colours Ben Kweller’s June 2026 COMING SOON performance at Brudenell Social Club.

Mon, May 11 - Leeds City Varieties Music Hall

NEW RELEASES OUT THIS WEEK

Courtney Marie Andrews’ Brudenell Social Club show brings contemporary folk alongside her country songwriting.

Tue, May 12 - O2 Academy Bristol

english rain 2026

english rain 2026 centres on folk and indie folk from Gabrielle Aplin, with Lewis Watson joining at O2 Academy Bristol.

Tue, May 12 - Garage London

Tales of a Failed Shapeshifter

Singer-songwriter Em Beihold plays Garage London with Erica Manzoli, bringing storytelling-led pop rooted in acoustic songwriting.

Tue, May 12 - The O2 London

Wishbone WORLD TOUR '26 Conan Gray with Esha Tewari

Indie folk threads into the bill via Esha Tewari supporting Conan Gray at The O2 London.

Wed, May 13 - The Stables Milton Keynes

AN EVENING WITH COWBOY JUNKIES

Cowboy Junkies perform contemporary folk and folk material at The Stables in Milton Keynes on 13 May 2026.

Wed, May 13 - Brudenell Social Club Leeds

COMING SOON at the Brudenell Social Club

Folk sounds come through Jake Xerxes Fussell’s Americana set and Mad Dog Mcrea’s folk-rooted performance at Brudenell.

Wed, May 13 - Limelight Belfast

CHANCE PEÑA - WHEN I CHANGE MY MIND I DON'T MEAN IT

Folk fans can catch Chance Peña and Adam Melchor bringing indie and contemporary folk to Limelight Belfast.

Wed, May 13 - Limelight Belfast

CHANCE PEÑA

Chance Peña and Adam Melchor bring indie folk and contemporary folk to Limelight Belfast.

Thu, May 14 - Brighton Dome

The Great Escape

Indie folk group Kingfishr headline Brighton Dome for The Great Escape 2026.

Thu, May 14 - Brudenell Social Club Leeds

Jesca Hoop with support from Hot Springs

Jesca Hoop’s indie folk songwriting anchors this Brudenell Social Club show with support from Hot Springs.

Thu, May 14 - Albert Hall Manchester

NICK MULVEY

Indie folk features through Nick Mulvey’s headline set at Albert Hall Manchester, joined by Citizen Papes.

Fri, May 15 - Union Chapel London

Seth Lakeman Freedom Fields

Folk and folk rock come to the fore as Seth Lakeman performs Freedom Fields at Union Chapel London.

Fri, May 15, Sat, May 16, Sun, May 17 - Royal Albert Hall London

HIGHWAYS A FESTIVAL OF COUNTRY & AMERICANA

Folk-leaning country folk from Emmylou Harris brings a folk edge to Highways at Royal Albert Hall.

Sat, May 16 - The Sound House Dublin 1

THE FRANKLIN ELECTRIC

The Franklin Electric perform indie folk live at The Sound House in Dublin.

Sat, May 16 - The Sound House Dublin 1

THE FRANKLIN ELECTRIC

Folk comes through The Franklin Electric’s indie folk sound at The Sound House in Dublin with support from Marianne Beaulieu.

Sat, May 16 - Patterns (Downstairs) Brighton

FORM TGE SHOWCASE

Folk pop drives this FORM TGE SHOWCASE, led by Tessa Rose Jackson at Patterns (Downstairs).

Sat, May 16 - The Pipeline Brighton

Brighton Music Showcase

Brighton Music Showcase leans to indie and alternative styles rather than traditional folk at The Pipeline.

Sat, May 16 - Rooz Studios London

Looney Hearts Rooz Band

Indie folk appears through The Mitchells on the Looney Hearts Rooz Band line-up at Rooz Studios.

Sun, May 17 - Leeds Irish Centre

The Longest Johns

Folk-driven bill as The Longest Johns bring sea shanties to Leeds Irish Centre with Seán Dagher.

Mon, May 18, Wed, May 27 - Brudenell Social Club Leeds

Coming soon at the Brudenell in March/April/May

The Handsome Family’s Americana and gothic country Brudenell date anchors the folk-leaning side of this run.

Mon, May 18, Fri, May 22, Sat, May 23 - Brudenell Social Club Leeds

New Releases Out This Week

Folk and indie folk feature in Aldous Harding’s nuanced set at Leeds Irish Centre.

Mon, May 18 - Brudenell Social Club Leeds

THE HANDSOME FAMILY UK/IE TOUR – MAY 2026

Folk-leaning americana and gothic country from The Handsome Family at Brudenell Social Club.

Mon, May 18 - O2 Forum Kentish Town London

TINARIWEN TOUR 2026

Tinariwen bring desert blues, Tuareg folk and traditional pop influences to this O2 Forum Kentish Town gig.

Tue, May 19 - THE WORKMAN'S CLUB Dublin 8

DOVE ELLIS

Dove Ellis brings indie folk and singer-songwriter songs to The Workman's Club with support from Existing Conditions.

Wed, May 20 - Barrowland Ballroom Glasgow

Glen Hansard

Glen Hansard brings his folk-rooted singer-songwriter material to Barrowland Ballroom Glasgow.

Wed, May 20, Thu, May 21, Fri, May 22

RAY LAMONTAGNE TROUBLE 20TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR

Folk and contemporary folk from Ray Lamontagne with support from singer-songwriter Natalie Jane Hill in Dublin and Belfast.

Wed, May 20 - 3Arena Dublin 1

A Quiet Celebration

Paul Simon’s A Quiet Celebration at 3Arena centres on contemporary folk and folk rock songwriting.

Wed, May 20 - 3Arena Dublin 1

PAUL SIMON In Concert

Paul Simon brings contemporary folk and folk rock to 3Arena Dublin 1 on 20 May 2026.

Wed, May 20 - 3Arena Dublin 1

PAUL SIMON In Concert

Paul Simon performs contemporary folk and folk rock at 3Arena Dublin in May 2026.

Thu, May 21 - St Matthias London

Sarah Blasko

Any Young Mechanic’s alternative folk sits alongside Sarah Blasko and Slow Leaves at St Matthias Church.

Thu, May 21 - Limelight 2 Belfast

ROADRUNNER - Kaitlin Butts

Folk threads run through Kaitlin Butts’ headline set and Meels’ support at Limelight 2 Belfast.

Fri, May 22, Sat, May 23 - Stithians Showground Truro

Fisherman's Friends Festival

Folk anchors the festival, from Seth Lakeman and Sharon Shannon to Fisherman's Friends and Kate Rusby.

Fri, May 22, Sat, May 23

GLEN HANSARD

Glen Hansard brings folk-rooted singer-songwriter material to Manchester Albert Hall and London Roundhouse in May 2026.

Fri, May 22, Sat, May 23

GLEN HANSARD

Glen Hansard brings folk-rooted songwriting with folk rock dynamics to dates in Manchester and London in May 2026.

Fri, May 22 - Holroyd Arms Guildford

TOTAL REX

This listing includes folk alongside rock and pop acts across the programme.

Fri, May 22 - Albert Hall Manchester

GLEN HANSARD

Folk comes to Albert Hall Manchester with Glen Hansard and Courtney Marie Andrews both drawing on contemporary folk traditions.

Fri, May 22, Tue, May 26

Seafret - Celebrating 10 Years of Tell Me It's Real

Folk and contemporary folk sounds from Nati. frame Seafret’s Tell Me It's Real anniversary shows in May 2026.

Fri, May 22 - Whelan’s Dublin 2

ROADRUNNER

Folk-leaning songwriting from Kaitlin Butts pairs with Meels’ folk, country and bluegrass at Whelan’s.

Sat, May 23, Sun, May 24

Neighbourhood Weekender

Folk and folk rock appear at Neighbourhood Weekender via Jamie Webster and Brògeal’s sets at Victoria Park.

Sat, May 23, Sun, May 24

OUTER WAVES FESTIVAL 2026

Outer Waves Festival 2026 brings folk and avant-folk from ØXn to MAKE LIVERPOOL over two consecutive May shows.

Sat, May 23 - Moth Club London

RON GALLO checkmate

Ron Gallo brings a singer-songwriter sound with folk leanings to MOTH Club, joined by Special Guests.

Sat, May 23 - Albert Hall Manchester

KINGS OF CONVENIENCE

Kings Of Convenience perform indie folk with delicate acoustic arrangements at Albert Hall Manchester.

Sat, May 23, Sun, May 24

Neighbourhood Weekender Victoria Park Warrington 23rd - 24th May 2026

Folk and folk rock colour the weekend via Tide Lines, Jamie Webster and Brògeal at Victoria Park Warrington.

Sat, May 23, Sun, May 24 - Union Chapel London

THE HANDSOME FAMILY UK/IE TOUR - MAY 2026

The Handsome Family’s storytelling-driven americana and gothic country gigs bring a dark folk edge to Union Chapel.

Sun, May 24 - City Hall Sheffield

RAY LAMONTAGNE TROUBLE 20TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR

Folk and contemporary folk feature as Ray Lamontagne brings the Trouble 20th Anniversary Tour to Sheffield City Hall.

Mon, May 25 - The National Stadium Dublin 8

rodrigo y gabriela 20th Anniversary Tour

Rodrigo Y Gabriela mix folk rock guitar work with flamenco flair and acoustic storytelling at The National Stadium.

Mon, May 25 - The National Stadium Dublin 8

rodrigo y gabriela - 20th Anniversary Tour

Folk rock elements shape Rodrigo Y Gabriela’s acoustic guitar interplay at The National Stadium in Dublin.

Thu, May 28 - LOW FOUR STUDIO Manchester

CARLA J EASTON

Fri, May 29 - St Mary's Stadium Southampton

TAKE THAT - THE CIRCUS LIVE

Onerepublic’s folk pop sound adds a folk-inflected twist to the Aviva Stadium finale of Take That’s Circus Live tour.

Fri, May 29 - The Ferret Preston

THE FERRET PRESENTS

Ben Ottewell’s folk and folk rock songs anchor this Preston bill with James Walsh at The Ferret.

Fri, May 29 - Albert Hall Manchester

SOFIA ISELLA

Sat, May 30 - LEIGH SPORTS VILLAGE STADIUM Leigh

LOTTERY WINNERS

Folk and folk punk come via Frank Turner on the Lottery Winners stadium bill at Leigh Sports Village in May 2026.

Sat, May 30 - LEIGH SPORTS VILLAGE STADIUM Leigh

LOTTERY WINNERS

Frank Turner’s folk and folk punk songs put this Lottery Winners stadium bill firmly on the folk map.

Sat, May 30, Sun, May 31

BEARS IN TREES

Bears In Trees bring their indie folk side to Belfast and Dublin, joined by Dutch Criminal Record.

Sat, May 30 - St. Annes Park

CMAT

Cmat’s folk pop songs shape the setlists at St. Annes Park and Virgin Media Park.

Sat, May 30 - The Aster Events Place Mandaluyong City

THE FLYING LUGAW 10TH ANNIVERSARY PARTY

Sat, May 30 - NETWORK

BRING THE NOISE