English Folk Expo (EFEx) supports the English folk, roots and acoustic music sector through a variety of projects and initiatives. We host festivals and events throughout the year to introduce the best folk, roots and acoustic music to new and existing audiences.
The Manchester Folk Festival happens each October, the Rochdale Folk Festival is in June, our promotions programme presents concerts across Greater Manchester and beyond.
Each October we invite 180 music industry to Manchester to see more than 40 artists perform over three days. Our annual showcase event runs alongside the Manchester Folk Festival and generates in excess of £2mill of work for artists within two years of each event (source: the hub).
Our artist mentoring programme gives in depth training, industry mentoring and showcase opportunities to selected artists over the course of a year. We work in partnership with a variety of organisations including Americana Music Association UK, FOCUS Wales, Cambridge Folk Festival and the FAC.
Alongside Beverley Fringe Festival and the Rochdale Folk Festival, we are running a Promoter Training Programme which will support 5 selected fans to learn the skills and develop networks which will enable them to host their own folk concerts.
We have an online platform for fans, artists and industry which enables networking, resources and bespoke offers to subscribers – EFEx Digital
To help reach new audiences, we are keen to support the commissioning of new work which reaches beyond existing folk, roots and acoustic audiences. In 2019 alongside EFDSS and Unite, we commissioned Rising Up which explored themes of protest, freedom of speech and democracy. We’re currently working up new commission projects.
In order to expand the reach of English folk, roots and acoustic music and to grow the audiences, we have a series of international partnerships, collaborations and projects.
EFEx is an Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation
