BBC Radio 2 has announced details of its 2017 Folk Awards.

Mark Radcliffe, who presents the station’s Folk Show, made the announcement today (February 6) on Simon Mayo’s programme. The awards will return to London’s Royal Albert Hall on Wednesday April 5 2017, with performances from Billy Bragg, Afro Celt Sound System and Orkney group Fara.

Al Stewart will receive a prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award for his contribution to folk music, while Woody Guthrie will be inducted into the Radio 2 Folk Awards Hall Of Fame. More performers will be announced in the coming weeks.

Last year’s event saw performances from Joan Armatrading, Mark Knopfler, Sam Lee, Lynched and Rufus Wainwright. Celebrity folk fans including musicians Richard Hawley and Graham Coxon and actors Martin Freeman and Matt Berry presented awards at the ceremony.

Nominees for the awards categories will be announced by Mark Radcliffe in the Radio 2 Folk Show this Wednesday (February 8). 

The categories include: Folk Singer of the Year, Best Duo, Best Group, Best Album, Horizon Award, Musician of the Year, Best Original Track, Best Traditional Track and BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Award. The show will also include the presentation of Lifetime Achievement Awards.

Lewis Carnie, head of Radio 2, said: “We are very excited that the Radio 2 Folk Awards are making a return for 2017. The Folk Awards, now in their 18^th year, are a wonderful occasion for us to celebrate the huge array of talent that exists in the thriving folk music industry. Specialist music is a key part of the Radio 2 schedule and folk continues to be very popular with our audience. We are very much looking forward to sharing the evening with everyone.” 

Mark Radcliffe, presenter of the Radio 2 Folk Show, added: “I know people are always saying they’re ‘thrilled’ about things in press quotes…but what can I tell you? Hosting the Folk Awards at The Royal Albert Hall is genuinely thrilling. Everyone and anyone in folk will be there and there is a real sense of a big night out and a gathering of the clans. So, predictable though this quote is, I’m thrilled to be doing it”.

Simon Mayo will broadcast a special show live from the Royal Albert Hall on the day of the awards. Listeners will be able to watch the ceremony live on the Radio 2 website, while highlights of the awards will be broadcast on the BBC iPlayer after the event and via the Red Button. Tickets and further details are available via the Radio 2 website.

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