Folk Fringe 2026: Granny’s Attic, café runs, and refugee-led acts take over Chapel Allerton
Acclaimed folk acts, pop-up cafe runs, and refugee-led performers are set to take over Chapel Allerton and Meanwood as the festival's Folk Fringe reveals its 2026 lineup
While the main festival site takes over Regent Street next weekend, the Chapel Allerton Arts Festival's Folk Roots Fringe has unveiled a packed four-day line-up celebrating traditional music, community singing, and intimate venue performances.
Organised by local musician Alan Gibson, this year’s fringe spans four distinct events across Chapel Allerton and Meanwood, bringing headline touring acts, village café pop-ups, and sanctuary-seeking musicians directly into local community spaces.
Kicking off the fringe schedule on Thursday (September 3), acclaimed English folk trio Granny’s Attic take to the stage at The Barn Coffee Shop in Meanwood.
Lauded by The Guardian and called "astounding" by folk legend Martin Carthy, the trio (Cohen Braithwaite-Kilcoyne, George Sansome, and Lewis Wood) bring an energetic, tradition-grounded performance style with strong local roots.
Both Sansome and Braithwaite-Kilcoyne studied at university in Leeds and recorded at the city's Evoke Studios, with Sansome remaining based locally.
Prolific songwriter Nick Battle, whose credits include tracks for Sir Cliff Richard and Michael Ball, provides support for what is expected to be an intimate, sell-out show.
The music moves to Seven Arts in Chapel Allerton on Friday for a traditional Irish Trad Session.
Led by local musicians from the popular Wednesday night gathering at the Chemic Tavern, the free-entry evening (with bucket donations welcome) starts with warm-up sets from Sligo-born vocalist Sam White before opening up to visiting instrumentalists and singers.
On Saturday, acoustic music takes over the heart of the village square during the popular Café Run.
Folk musicians will pop up for informal acoustic sets across four key local spots: Caffe Nero, The Woods, The Library, and Seven Arts.
Rounding off Saturday at Seven Arts, the Sanctuary Seeking Singers host a special performance featuring Hind & The Jafar Cakes.
Recognised as the UK's first and only official Band of Sanctuary, the refugee-led group will deliver a one-hour set celebrating global music traditions, diversity, and community solidarity.
How do I get tickets to attend the Folk Fringe Festival events this year?
Tickets for Granny’s Attic at The Barn Coffee Shop are priced at £17 in advance or £22 on the door, and can be booked online via the official festival store.
Due to limited capacity at venue spaces, advance booking is strongly advised.
The Irish Trad Session, Saturday Cafe Run, and Sanctuary Seeking Singers performances at Seven Arts are free entry, with bucket donations welcome to support visiting artists and festival charities.
For visitors wanting to explore the main street festival running along Regent Street from Friday 4 to Sunday 6 September, general weekend wristbands (£8, or £16 including drinks tokens) are also available via the official store or on site.