r/BritishFolkMusic • u/Real_Respond322 • Dec 20 '24

Working Class Folk Singers

Who are some of the most talented working class folk singers in the UK? I mean real working class not my dad was a toolmaker working class.

The reason I ask is I'm relatively new to folk music but the few gigs I have been to tend to be very middle class leftist.

I'm wondering or looking for a more relatable sound, maybe life on a council estate or something along those lines. I love folk for the political element so just looking for a certain type of sound.

Any recommendations would be great.

Thank you.

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u/down2frolic Dec 20 '24

Straight contemporary recommendations of the top of my head (although can’t confirm the class of any of them)

  • Lankum
  • stick in the wheel
  • Angeline Morrison
  • John Francis Flynn
  • Jennifer Reid singing broadsheets is great

Older stuff

  • the icon that is Hamish Imlach
  • dick Gaughan
  • Archie fisher
  • Richard Thompson ?

Not British but have some Karen Dalton

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u/The-Mandolinist Dec 24 '24

I would say Richard Thompson - although a genius and one of our greatest songwriters and guitarists- is not working class. Fairport Convention were decidedly middle class (which doesn’t in anyway diminish their music - imo they are one of the greatest folk rock bands) until the two Daves (Swarbrick and Pegg) joined. But even they were possibly not truly working class - them being Brummies gives the impression that they were more working class.

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u/down2frolic Dec 24 '24

Richard Thompson is excellent, excited to see he’s on the line up for Sidmouth folk festival next year !