Sisters from Hertfordshire have been added to the county's largest folk festival line-up.
Ahead of the release of their new album All Now, Watford's The Staves have joined the Folk by the Oak 2024 festival line-up set to entertain thousands in the grounds of Hatfield House this summer.
Previously a trio with their sibling Emily, indie-folk band The Staves now feature the skilful musicianship and exquisite harmonies of sisters Jessica Staveley-Taylor (vocals/guitar) and Camilla Staveley-Taylor (vocals/ukulele).
They will join festival headliners Levellers, Seckou Keita’s Homeland Band, and The Young’uns on Folk by the Oak's Main Stage on Sunday, July 21.
On booking The Staves, festival director Adam Slough told us: “We last welcomed The Staves to Folk by the Oak in 2019 and their performance was nothing short of exceptional.
The combination of their outstanding musical talents and sisterly banter make them one of the best bands you will catch live this summer and we can’t wait to welcome them back to our Main Stage!”
The Staves, who began performing together at open mic nights hosted at The Horns pub in Watford, release their fifth studio album All Now on March 22.
An uplifting summer festival of the finest folk, roots and acoustic music, Folk by the Oak takes places in Hatfield Park the day after the annual Battle Proms picnic concert.
Tickets are available from folkbytheoak.com with 50p from every ticket sold donated to charity partner Willow.
In a line-up that offers everything from internationally renowned artists and exciting up-and-coming talent, iconic band Levellers will headline the Main Stage, with a high-energy set packed with their most loved tracks.
Announced to headline the festival’s second stage, the Acorn Stage, is Essex legend and festival favourite Beans on Toast.
Folk by the Oak regulars will recognise Kora master Seckou Keita, who has wowed in previous years as both a solo performer and in collaboration with Catrin Finch and the Spell Songs band.
He returns to the festival with his new collaboration, the Homeland Band, featuring an array of exceptionally talented artists and promising an uplifting, upbeat set.
Also returning to Folk by the Oak are The Young’uns, with their spine-tingling harmonies, heart-on-the-sleeve storytelling and raucous humour, while making their first appearance here is the The Furrow Collective, a collaboration between Lucy Farrell, Rachel Newton, Emily Portman and Alasdair Roberts.
Also announced for the Acorn Stage are the Malin Lewis Trio and the Grace Smith Trio.
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