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.
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Tune in at 6pm tonight, as we announce the 9 shortlisted albums for the Folk Album of the Year Award 2025! Matthew will be joined by chair of the jury Kellie While and the nominated artists for a very special announcement show on our YouTube channel and podcast.
Find out more: folkonfoot.com/award
Find out more: folkonfoot.com/award
So excited to share this incredible shortlist of albums with you tonight at 1800 GMT.
Such a wonderful list of extraordinary albums!
The shortlist for the Folk Album of the Year 2025 is out now! You can hear tracks from all these amazing albums, plus the artists’ reactions to being nominated, in our nominations announcement show - available on the Folk on Foot YouTube channel and podcast.
Watch here: youtu.be/UDrHNykW5cQ?...
Watch here: youtu.be/UDrHNykW5cQ?...
November 27, 2025 at 1:15 PM
Such a wonderful list of extraordinary albums!
Reposted by Matthew Bannister
And we're off! Head over to YouTube now, as we announce the nine fantastic albums shortlisted for the Folk Album of the Year Award 2025.
Watch here: youtu.be/UDrHNykW5cQ
Watch here: youtu.be/UDrHNykW5cQ
Folk Album of the Year Award 2025 | Nominations Announcement
YouTube video by Folk On Foot
youtu.be
November 26, 2025 at 6:03 PM
And we're off! Head over to YouTube now, as we announce the nine fantastic albums shortlisted for the Folk Album of the Year Award 2025.
Watch here: youtu.be/UDrHNykW5cQ
Watch here: youtu.be/UDrHNykW5cQ
Reposted by Matthew Bannister
It's almost time! Tonight at 6pm GMT, we'll be unveiling the nine albums shortlisted for the Folk Album of the Year Award 2025, alongside our friends at @soundrootsuk.bsky.social.
Join us on YouTube at the link below, or tune into the Folk on Foot podcast - youtu.be/UDrHNykW5cQ
Join us on YouTube at the link below, or tune into the Folk on Foot podcast - youtu.be/UDrHNykW5cQ
November 26, 2025 at 5:32 PM
It's almost time! Tonight at 6pm GMT, we'll be unveiling the nine albums shortlisted for the Folk Album of the Year Award 2025, alongside our friends at @soundrootsuk.bsky.social.
Join us on YouTube at the link below, or tune into the Folk on Foot podcast - youtu.be/UDrHNykW5cQ
Join us on YouTube at the link below, or tune into the Folk on Foot podcast - youtu.be/UDrHNykW5cQ
So excited to share this incredible shortlist of albums with you tonight at 1800 GMT.
Tune in at 6pm tonight, as we announce the 9 shortlisted albums for the Folk Album of the Year Award 2025! Matthew will be joined by chair of the jury Kellie While and the nominated artists for a very special announcement show on our YouTube channel and podcast.
Find out more: folkonfoot.com/award
Find out more: folkonfoot.com/award
November 26, 2025 at 10:27 AM
So excited to share this incredible shortlist of albums with you tonight at 1800 GMT.
Reposted by Matthew Bannister
Enjoy a musical walk down @frankturner.bsky.social's Memory Lane (otherwise known as Holloway Road in North London) in this classic episode of Folk on Foot from July 2020.
🎧 Listen here - pod.fo/e/3587a1
🎧 Listen here - pod.fo/e/3587a1
November 24, 2025 at 9:03 AM
Enjoy a musical walk down @frankturner.bsky.social's Memory Lane (otherwise known as Holloway Road in North London) in this classic episode of Folk on Foot from July 2020.
🎧 Listen here - pod.fo/e/3587a1
🎧 Listen here - pod.fo/e/3587a1
Reposted by Matthew Bannister
Boss Morris lead us a merry dance onto Rodborough Common near Stroud in our latest episode, out now.
🎧 Listen here: pod.fo/e/35274f
🎧 Listen here: pod.fo/e/35274f
November 22, 2025 at 10:07 AM
Boss Morris lead us a merry dance onto Rodborough Common near Stroud in our latest episode, out now.
🎧 Listen here: pod.fo/e/35274f
🎧 Listen here: pod.fo/e/35274f
Never miss a chance to make a fool of myself in the interests of entertaining passing motorists in Stroud! Thanks for trying Alex.
With infinite patience, Alex Merry of Boss Morris tries to teach Matthew “Two Left Feet” Bannister to dance. Spoiler alert: it doesn’t go well.
🎧 Hear more of our walk with Boss Morris on Rodborough Common in our new episode, out now: pod.fo/e/35274f
🎧 Hear more of our walk with Boss Morris on Rodborough Common in our new episode, out now: pod.fo/e/35274f
November 20, 2025 at 7:32 PM
Never miss a chance to make a fool of myself in the interests of entertaining passing motorists in Stroud! Thanks for trying Alex.
Beautiful harmonies and enchanting lyrics from @boohewerdine.bsky.social and Heidi Talbot in Shoreham tonight. They have lots more dates - see them if you can.
November 19, 2025 at 10:47 PM
Beautiful harmonies and enchanting lyrics from @boohewerdine.bsky.social and Heidi Talbot in Shoreham tonight. They have lots more dates - see them if you can.
Nothing stops a Boss Morris dancer!
Mind the cow pat! Alex Merry of Boss Morris puts her foot in it as they dance on Rodborough Common in our new episode, out now.
🎧 Listen here: pod.fo/e/35274f
@alexmerryart.bsky.social
🎧 Listen here: pod.fo/e/35274f
@alexmerryart.bsky.social
November 18, 2025 at 6:40 PM
Nothing stops a Boss Morris dancer!
Saucy? All good clean fun.
Matthew joins in with a new ritual invented by Boss Morris in our new episode, out now. “Finger In The Spring” (complete with saucy song) involves a perilous scramble down slippery steps.
🎧 Listen here: pod.fo/e/35274f
🎧 Listen here: pod.fo/e/35274f
November 16, 2025 at 7:25 PM
Saucy? All good clean fun.
Tremendous uplifting evening with the brilliant @nancyannfolk.bsky.social and @jamesfagan.bsky.social at @cecilsharphouse.bsky.social tonight. A privilege to join their 30 year celebration. Congratulations! X
November 15, 2025 at 11:02 PM
Tremendous uplifting evening with the brilliant @nancyannfolk.bsky.social and @jamesfagan.bsky.social at @cecilsharphouse.bsky.social tonight. A privilege to join their 30 year celebration. Congratulations! X
Get your dancing bells on!
Hankies at the ready as we dance, talk and walk with Boss Morris on Rodborough Common near Stroud in our new episode, out now. Featuring music from Rob Harbron, Miranda Rutter and @samsweeney.bsky.social, and plenty of fun along the way!
🎧 Listen here: pod.fo/e/35274f
🎧 Listen here: pod.fo/e/35274f
November 14, 2025 at 9:14 AM
Get your dancing bells on!
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