Sunday summer sun and fun, as you head north. (At least one is guaranteed.)

Seeing as this summer just keeps on giving, how better to enjoy the sunshine than a day out in the leafy pastures of Hatfield Park? Well, by adding a top notch bill of folk, roots and acoustic music would be one way, something the organisers of this now established fixture on the circuit are now past masters of. A constant since 2008, give or take Covid, this is Folk By The Oak numero 18, and manages to cram more into the one day than do many over two or three.

Hatfield and the north

The map tells me it is 21 miles from London, yet you could be. million miles away, in the verdant parkland abounding Hatfield Hall, in Hatfield, Herts, tucked neatly between St. Albans and Welwyn Garden City. Proggers will know it, or the road sign thereto, as the inspiration for the Let’s Eat (Real Soon) hitmakers, Hatfield & The North. And, rather than one, there are a host of oaks.

Don’t miss a trick

Whilst there are two stages, the festival has a trump card for those completists that can’t stand missing their favourites or wrangling with clashfinder; the two swap timings to allow the canny punter to catch all the featured acts. It’s a bit like the old 2 stage trick at Reading, as one stage has performers in action, so the other is setting itself up, and vice versa. OK, you have to move, as they aren’t next to one another, but it is possible. (Breaks for food and drinks and, um, comfort stationing, well, that you have to work out for yourself, but, talking of, there is the sort of array of food stalls and bars to please the fussiest. Or bring your own picnic, many do. Did I say decent loos, as well, this being important. And free car parks. (Yes, you read that right.))

The musical vista is, frankly, quite atonishing, seeming to tick all the many and variable niche boxes that folk, roots and acoustic might today include. National Treasure/Folk Legend, Traditional English, Scotish Neo-Trad, Worldbeat, Singer-Songwriter, Spiky Agit-Prop, Shantymen, they are all featured, present and correct, with the additional coup of attracting Bear’s Den out into one of only 3 UK appearances this summer.

The Den

Bear’s Den, should you be unfamiliar, are one of those bands with a sound that is utterly their own. For just over a decade they have built up an enviable reputation for encompassing elements of folk, indie-rock, country and electronica into entirely their own template. Trademark features include the sensitive and introspective vocal style, and lyrics, of Andrew Davie, the 5 string banjo of Christof van der Ven and the pastoral brass that permeates much of their music.

At any instant both the band’s drummer and additional guitarist are likely to pick up a trumpet or flugelhorn, with french horn as well, if you are lucky, making for peculiarly poignant moments. Nominally, since the departure of Kevin Jones, earlier this year, they are down to just Davie as name holder for the b(r)and, but van der Ven has been there nearly from the start, with other musicians dipping in when needed. It is this flexibility that is another Bear’s Den benchmark, the ability to switch between a duo tour of the Highlands and Islands, or a full up to six-piece band arena show. I am guessing somewhere between the two for this one. We are keen on them here, and heartily endorse (at least) one of the quotes on the Folk By The Oak web page about them. Here’s our review of the last album.

Treasure & other troves

Elsewhere Kate Rusby will be there to provide the guarantee of why she should count as both legend and treasure. One of the singers in folk, she can raise goosebumps on goosebumps, such is her control and mastery of her instrument. Matching songs ancient and modern, along with some of her own, she has always made also sure she has a top notch band about her, including hubby, Damien O’Kane. Add in her engaging stage presence and it is always splendid.

Personal must-sees will include the exciting instrumental heft of Project Smok, awash with bagpipes and whistle, the consummate vocal pairing of Janice Burns and Jon Doran. Astonishingly, I have never caught the mighty Melrose Quartet and their high octane vocal assault, nor Cornwall’s Fisherman’s Friends, possibly the only performers present with a feature film built about their existence. Orchestre Baobab are giants of African music, their Afro-Cuban and Griot fusion should be as phenomenal on stage as it is on disc. Add in the gritty charm of Grace Petrie, let alone the others on the bill, and it is all going to be mighty difficult to find any time for refreshments.

Let’s get you in the mood! Bear’s Den, with Sophie, from 3 months ago:

Folk By The Oak: Website / Tickets

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