Seth Lakeman
Seth Lakeman has already had a pretty good career and he's still only 26. He's one of the artists that has shown that the new folk scene is more gender balanced than that of the previous seven or so years.
Seth started off in the Lakeman Brothers, moved into the Equation, appeared with Brother and Sister in law Sam Lakeman and Cara Dillion.
Add on to that a really good solo album, a fantastic album with Steve Knightly and Jenna. A Bizarre BBC nomination for best newcomer and a more expected nomination for best song and you get an idea where Seth is coming from.
Seth Lakeman has shown himself to be consistently talented as writer, performer and arranger, expect lots.
POST FESTIVAL VERDICT
With two folk artists up for the Mercury Prize this year we can no longer apply the phrase token folkie. Seth throughly deserves his nomination. He would have packed out the Club Tent on the Sunday anyway, but the Mercury Nomination has fuelled the publicity. Seth delivered a virtuoso performance and has kept his feet firmly on the ground. If the nomination gets Seth better known, all the better, but when you deliver performances like Seth's in the Club Tent, word of mouth will do a fine job too.