Manchester Folk Festival will return for its second edition on October 18-21.

This year's four-day event will feature artists including Billy Bragg, Eliza Carthy, This is the Kit, The Wilsons and Tunng at various venues including Home, Gorilla, Great Northern Warehouse and The Ritz.

It is the only festival dedicated to promoting and supporting new English folk and acoustic with a programme curated to represent “both innovative and traditional international artists”. The proximity of the venues is designed to create an intimate festival hub in the city.

The festival also hosts English Folk Expo, a showcase for the national and international music industry which promotes the English folk, roots and acoustic music sector.

Xtra Mile Recordings will be hosting a night at the O2 Ritz featuring Beans on Toast, Skinny Lister and Will Varley.

Following last year’s partnership with Prince Edward Island in Canada, in 2018 Manchester Folk Festival’s international partner is Wales, supported by Arts Council of Wales.

Festival producer David Agnew says “Inviting the most exciting artists in Folk today to play in the city’s vibrant and culturally significant music scene, Manchester Folk Festival invites audiences to leave their preconceptions of folk behind and experience this powerful and diverse genre in new and inspiring way.”

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