Eliza Carthy

Event information

Describing herself simply as a ‘modern English musician’, Eliza Carthy is one of the most recognisable faces in British folk.

She has received an MBE; numerous BBC R2 Folk Awards; two Mercury Prize nominations; was the first English traditional musician to be nominated for a BBC R3 Award for World Music, and in 2021 became President of the English Folk Dance & Song Society.

Born into a formidable musical dynasty, her mother Norma was one of The Watersons and her father Martin Carthy is a hugely influential singer and guitarist, the incredible range of traditional and contemporary musicians who were part of the extended Waterson/Carthy world helped her develop her own unique approach to music.

Launching head-on into the UK folk scene in the early 90s, she quickly became one of its great innovators. Championed from an early age by the likes of John Peel, Andy Kershaw & Billy Bragg, Eliza has rarely stood still artistically.

From the purest unaccompanied traditional songs to original music incorporating myriad influences, she has moved through English folk music like a force of nature, both stirring it up & putting it back on the map, and as a member of big bands The Imagined Village, and the musical force-of-nature that was The Wayward Band she has headlined main stages at festivals around the world.

With a wealth of musical & life experience under her belt, Eliza’s talent has matured and is flourishing. She continues to bring new audiences to English folk through well-judged recordings, performances, and collaborations with the likes of Paul Weller, Jools Holland, Patrick Wolf, and Kae Tempest.