English singer and songwriter Maz O’Connor has been described by the Guardian as ‘one of folk’s brightest young talents’. Though she grew up in the wild Lake District of the Romantic Poets, her grandparents hailed from Ireland, and these roots shine through her music. She spent her teenage years singing in folk clubs, studied literature at Cambridge and has since settled in East London: these diverse influences work together to make Maz’s songwriting something unique.

After the release of her acclaimed album The Longing Kind in 2016, Maz has been writing and collaborating extensively, exploring beyond the traditional folk sound, as well as touring the U.K. and Europe, opening for such acts as David Gray, Thomas Dybdahl and Rosanne Cash. She’s been commissioned to write songs for UK Parliament and The Royal Shakespeare Company, and is now working on her own piece of music theatre.

Known for her captivating stage presence and her stunning voice, Maz is ending 2018 with a concert of songs old and new, looking forward to her next album in 2019.

‘Maz O’Connor’s ace, apart from her remarkable songwriting talent, is her captivating voice’ ★★★★ Q Magazine

‘There is an inquiring intelligence as well as an emotional sensibility at work here…she plays and sings beautifully’ ★★★★★ Songlines

Support comes from 22-year-old singer Kizzy Crawford. A Welsh speaker with Bajan heritage, her solo career began just a few years ago and, in that time, Kizzy has developed an increasing sophistication to her song writing and performance, which is complimented by her soulful voice that boasts both range and charisma.

Her ambition as a young Welsh Black artist is to make her mark by fusing bilingual soul-folk jazz and she’s already getting recognition for her work with airplay on BBC Radio 1, BBC 6Music, BBC Radio 4, BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru as well as live TV performances on S4C, Children in Need for BBC 1 and the 6 Nations advert campaign.

Kizzy has played at many venues and festivals including the National Assembly for Wales during WOMEX, Glastonbury, London Jazz Festival and others. She and has performed alongside Cerys Matthews at the House of Commons, and she co-wrote music with jazz pianist / composer Gwilym Simcock in 2016, for the collaborative project Birdsong – Can Yr Adar.

She recently signed to Freestyle Records (home to Omar and Courtney Pine) and released the single Progression which was chosen as a ‘New to BBC Radio 2’ track by Jo Whiley and was played daily on her BBC Radio 2 drive time show with Simon Mayo. Kizzy is looking forward to releasing her debut album via Freestyle in 2019.

‘Real talent’ Huw Stephens, BBC Radio 1

‘Wonderful’ Richard Coles, BBC Radio 4