Folk Album of the Year Award Jury Announced

Last month, The Folk Album Of The Year Award was launched to celebrate the most artistically acclaimed albums released in Britain and Ireland.

Nominees will be chosen by a distinguished panel of performers, and music and media professionals, chaired by celebrated English folk singer-songwriter and Executive Producer of BBC Radio 2’s ‘The Folk Show’ and ‘21^st Century Folk’, Kellie While.

The high-profile jury, who will shortlist the albums to be revealed in November, includes:

• Mark Radcliffe (BBC Radio 2)
• Jude Rogers (The Guardian)
• Rob Cowen (Author of The North Road, Common Ground and The Heeding)
• Anna Massie (BBC Scotland / Musician)
• Lynette Fay (Broadcaster / Producer)
• Becky Marshall-Potter (FolkEast Festival)
• John McCusker (Musician)
• Jo Frost (Journalist)
• Georgia Ruth (BBC Cymru / Musician)
• Sam Hindley (Thank Goodness It’s Folk)
• Philip King (Other Voices)
• Alexandria Carr (Southbank Centre)

The Award will spotlight eight shortlisted albums released in 2025, with the overall winner unveiled at an inaugural ceremony featuring live performances from nominated artists. The live streamed event will take place at Rochdale Town Hall on Tuesday 17 March 2026.

Find out more and submit your album here.