Oundle Folk Weekend - star duo return with some friends

The Talbot Hotel's Westgate Suite is hosting the Oundle Folk Weekend on November 14 and 15, with Boo and Heidi closing both nights with an hour-long set. Ticket prices are £60 for the Full Weekend, £30 for Under 25s; or £35 for a Saturday Day Ticket and £35 for a Sunday Day Ticket – all very limited. Saturday’s line up kicks off at 4pm with Gráinne Brady, a musician, songwriter and composer from Co. Cavan, Ireland, known for her work across traditional and contemporary folk music. While widely recognised as a fiddle player, songwriting has become an increasingly important part of her creative work in recent years. UK-based Jessie Reid's hushed, confessional vocals and innovative, folk-influenced, percussive guitar style have drawn keen interest from tastemaker press, UK national radio and comparisons with the likes of Lucy Rose, Nick Mulvey, Iron & Wine, Memorial & Ben Howard. Following last year’s Glastonbury (Acoustic Stage) and Camp Bestival debuts, Jessie enjoyed a great 2025 festival season with acclaimed sets at Fuse Fest, Kendal Calling, Green Man, Found Festival, Between The Trees and Moseley Folk. Winner of the MG Alba Composer of the Year Findlay Napier is widely regarded as one of the finest performers on the UK music scene. Tirelessly creative he has been touring and releasing music since the early noughties. First with groundbreaking trad folk band Back of the Moon, then with Nu-Folk pioneers Findlay Napier and the Bar Room Mountaineers and most recently as a solo act. His breakthrough solo album VIP: Very Interesting Persons, produced by Boo Hewerdine, was number 2 in The Telegraph’s top folk albums of 2014. On Sunday, Reel Thyme will get things started at 4pm. With over 30 years playing together, this talented four-piece brings a wealth of experience, character and passion to Scottish and Irish traditional music. Jenn Butterworth is widely recognised as one of the UK’s leading exponents of traditional folk guitar. Renowned for her exceptional skills in collaboration, accompaniment and arrangement, she seamlessly adapts to any stage, whether performing in an intimate venue or commanding a large festival audience.

 In 2019, Jenn was named Musician of the Year at the Scots Trad Music Awards and was a nominee for the same title at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards. T

Brooks Williams is one of those select few ‘'how on earth does he do it?” artists. He can sing. He can write. And, man oh man, can he play guitar.

Cambridge UK-based, Statesboro, Georgia US-born, admired by both listeners and fellow musicians, Brooks has been a leading light on the acoustic music scene for three decades.

Taking to the stage at 9pm (for the second night) will be headliners Boo & Heidi with Friends.

For over 30 years Ivor Novello award winning Boo has been considered one of the UK’s finest singer-songwriters. As lead singer of seminal band, The Bible through to his subsequent solo work and long-time collaboration with the incredible Eddi Reader he has become something of a national treasure. He is in demand as a writer, producer and performer.

Heidi has shared the stage and recorded with Mark Knopfler, Graham Coxon (Blur), Eddi Reader, Idlewild, Matt Rollings, King Creosote, Kris Drever, Tim O'Brien and Jerry Douglas.

On this special weekend with their Friends, Boo and Heidi will be singing songs new and old with a dash of humour and a good measure of storytelling. Their gigs are always a total joy.