The first acts playing a music festival in Hatfield next summer have been announced.

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Folk by the Oak will return to the grounds of Hatfield House on Sunday, July 15, 2018 – the day after the Battle Proms classical concert held at the same location.

And organisers at JSL Productions have confirmed the first three acts set to perform in the Queen Elizabeth Oak Field next year.

Appearing on the main stage in July will be Eliza Carthy & The Wayward Band, the award-winning Young’uns, and Sam Kelly & The Lost Boys, who played FBTO and Kimpton Folk Festival this year.

A festival spokeswoman described the acts announced as “a lively bunch” and “three of the UK’s most captivating live folk acts”.

Welwyn Hatfield Times: Folk by the Oak [Picture: Alan Davies]Folk by the Oak [Picture: Alan Davies] (Image: Archant)

It was in 2013 that Eliza Carthy assembled The Wayward Band, a hugely talented group of 12 musicians from around the UK, to perform her ‘Best of’ compilation: Wayward Daughter.

This winning combination of artists and their obvious on-stage enthusiasm for performing together quickly ensured their place as firm favourites in the festival circuit, beloved by traditionalists and modernists alike.

Their debut album, Big Machine, recorded at Real World Studios, was released to critical acclaim by Topic Records early in 2017, and in November 2017 Eliza and the band embarked on their first major UK tour.

The festival’s website states: “The energy and vitality that this incredible array of artists bring to the stage is something we are very excited to share with you at Folk by the Oak, and we know that this welcome return by Eliza will be one worth waiting for!

Welwyn Hatfield Times: Folk singer Eliza Carthy will be appearing at Folk by the Oak in the grounds of Hatfield HouseFolk singer Eliza Carthy will be appearing at Folk by the Oak in the grounds of Hatfield House (Image: Supplied by The Alban Arena)

“The last time we were lucky enough to have Eliza Carthy grace our main stage was part of the highly accomplished-all female quartet Carthy, Hardy, Farrell and Young in 2013.

“We are absolutely delighted that she will be joining us again in 2018, this time with The Wayward Band.”

Also returning to the Hatfield festival are two-times BBC Radio 2 Folk Award Best Group winners The Young’uns – Sean Cooney, David Eagle and Michael Hughes – who went down a storm on the Acorn Stage two years ago.

FBTO’s website says: “In the last few years the Young’uns have deservedly secured their rightful place at the forefront of the English folk scene.

Welwyn Hatfield Times: The Young'Uns played to a packed crowd on the Acorn Stage at Folk by the Oak 2015 at Hatfield HouseThe Young'Uns played to a packed crowd on the Acorn Stage at Folk by the Oak 2015 at Hatfield House (Image: Archant)

“It was their rare ability to combine perfect harmonies and sparkling wit that first brought this hugely entertaining trio to our notice, and their 2015 performance on our Acorn Stage was so well received we knew that they would be returning one day to perform on our Main Stage.

“That day has now come, and we are delighted to welcome back the Teeside trio, Sean Cooney, David Eagle and Michael Hughes, who will once again surprise and delight you with old favourites and songs from their latest album, Strangers.

“In their own words this is ‘a collection of folk songs for our times – a homage to the outsider, a eulogy for the wayfarer and a hymn for the migrant’.

“We look forward to sharing the uplifting voices, spine-tingling harmonies and raucous humour that has seen these down-to-earth lads win BBC Radio 2 Folk Award Best Group two years running (2015 and 2016) and earned them a loyal and happy following of folk fans.”

Welwyn Hatfield Times: Sam Kelly and the Lost Boys went down a storm on the Acorn Stage at Folk by the Oak in HatfieldSam Kelly and the Lost Boys went down a storm on the Acorn Stage at Folk by the Oak in Hatfield (Image: Archant)

It was a no-brainer for organisers to book Sam Kelly & The Lost Boys again.

A festival organiser said: “If you joined us in 2017 and were lucky enough to catch their headline performance on our Acorn Stage, it will be no surprise to hear that we have invited the boys back, but this time to take up their rightful place on our Main Stage!

“Sam first joined us in 2013 as an early act on our, then much smaller, Acorn Stage.

“Incredibly, in the four short years since that early performance and his return to Folk by the Oak in 2017, 24-year-old Sam has recorded and produced over 10 acclaimed records, had multiple live sessions and airplay on BBC Radio 2 and 3, and his music regularly featured on Sky Arts.

Welwyn Hatfield Times: Sam Kelly and the Lost Boys went down a storm on the Acorn Stage at Folk by the Oak in HatfieldSam Kelly and the Lost Boys went down a storm on the Acorn Stage at Folk by the Oak in Hatfield (Image: Archant)

“With folk luminaries such as Kate Rusby, Seth Lakeman, and Cara Dillon waxing lyrical about Sam’s live set, it was no surprise to see him awarded the prestigious Horizon Award for emerging artists at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards 2016 .

“Since forming The Lost Boys, Sam’s star has continued to be ever in the ascendance.

“Sam is respected far and wide for his passionate rekindling of traditional songs, and he and his Lost Boys have earned a reputation for captivating performances that leave audiences clamouring for more.”

Tickets for Folk by the Oak 2018 are on sale now at the super early bird price of £33.50 per adult.

This price is available if tickets are booked online by Wednesday, January 31, 2018.

A family ticket for two adults and two children costs £95.

Children’s tickets are still just £18.

• To book tickets visit www.folkbytheoak.com/