A photograph from the back of a concert in a beautiful church with a piano and singer onstage

We help people to build music careers in folk and beyond.

What We Do

News
Sound Roots welcomes David Agnew as new Chief Executive
Sound Roots welcomes David Agnew as new Chief Executive

Sound Roots is delighted to announce the appointment of David Agnew as its new Chief Executive, following an extensive national recruitment process. David will assume the role immediately, succeeding Tom Besford.

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Applications Now Open - Artist Mentoring Pathway 2025 / 2026
Applications Now Open - Artist Mentoring Pathway 2025 / 2026

The Sound Roots Artist Mentoring Pathway (previously known as the English Folk Expo Artist Mentoring Programme) is now open.

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WOMEX (Worldwide Music Expo) has arrived in Manchester!
WOMEX (Worldwide Music Expo) has arrived in Manchester!
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About Sound Roots

For our first 10 years, we were called English Folk Expo. Here’s a look back at our work.

In 2023, English Folk Expo undertook a rebrand to better reflect the scale and ambition of our work. We’re now called Sound Roots.

We still run English Folk Expo, the annual showcase for folk, roots and acoustic music in England. We also run Manchester Folk, promoting folk music concerts across Greater Manchester including the annual Manchester Folk Festival.

But we do lots of other things too, including:

  • Host Sound Roots Connect, an online learning and networking platform for the independent music industry

  • Commission the UK Official Folk Albums Charts

  • Run mentoring and learning programmes for artists and industry alike in any genre

  • Provide consultancy for music businesses, especially in the live sector

  • Present UK artists at international showcase events

  • Speak on panels and to groups about building sustainable music careers

  • Partner with organisations to deliver innovative new commissioned works

Our Partners