These are the artists we have released so far.
Keep an eye on our socials for the latest updates
Alice Howe & Freebo have undeniable chemistry. Rock bass legend Freebo weaves his fretless stylings into Alice’s soulful, impeccably-tuned vocals for a harmony-driven performance showcasing two uniquely compelling songwriters.
Boubacar Samake, son of the late Malian music legend Sibiri Samake, carries forward the deep spiritual tradition of Mali’s donso (hunter) music.
A lineage of ritual melodies and rhythms played for courage, healing, and connection to the natural world.
Ibibio Sound Machine are one of the most compelling and forward-thinking bands emerging from the UK scene – a genre-defying afro-futurist collective blending West African rhythms, electronic textures, disco, post-punk and global club energy into a sound that’s as powerful on record as it is explosive live.
Romano Drom, one of the best-known representatives of contemporary Gypsy culture in Hungary, celebrates its 25th anniversary this year. Since its founding in 1999, the band has toured the world from Cairo to New York and in October they’ll be touching down in Whitby!
Experimental duo Kefaya collaborated with the cream of the world’s musicians, and will be performing together with wonderful London-based singer, songwriter and composer Elaha Soroor. Together they use contemporary production techniques from the worlds of pop/rock and electronica to create a fresh, state-of-the-art spin on world music!
Meet Eko, a 13-foot-tall Sea Giant, brough to life by 5 world-class puppeteers. As the captivating star of Austin Dance Theatre’s acclaimed show Out of the Deep Blue, Eko rises from the depths, inspiring awe and wonder wherever he roams.
North Shields-based artist Aaron Duff works both solo and with his band under the moniker of Hector Gannet, they’ve been described as “masters of a kind of new, modernist folk music” and have taken their name from an ill-fated trawler which sank in the North Sea under heroic circumstances in 1967…
Playing traditional Gnawa (sacred trance music from Africa Morocco) and agetrance, blues, jazz, reggae & afrobeat is Gnawa Blues All Stars, who’s
been seen and heard all over the world including on BBC World Service and BBC Proms! Next up; Musicport.
Grounded in deep roots and ancient desert sound, we welcome Danto Aya to Musicport 2026 
Originally from Ghat in the south of Libya and now based in London, Danto is a Tuareg musician whose work is shaped by the powerful guitar-driven style known as assouf – a music of nostalgia and solitude, where “assouf” in Tamazight reflects longing, memory, and distance.
His music speaks directly to lived experience – reflecting the realities faced by Tuareg communities, from political and environmental pressures to displacement, drought, and cultural marginalisation. Through his songs, he gives voice to stories shaped by the Sahara and its people, often in the face of hardship and silence.
Blending ancient nomadic ballads with contemporary Tibetan folk, Ngawang performs on electric mandolin and the traditional dramnyen lute, creating a sound that is both timeless and powerful.
From evenings filled with tales of Tibetan heroes and songs praising the snow mountains, to years spent studying as a monk in a Gelugpa monastery; expect a moving, authentic and unforgettable musical experience.
With hushed, confessional vocals and a beautifully distinctive, folk-influenced percussive guitar style, Jessie is fast becoming one of the UK’s most captivating emerging voices.
Following over 6 million streams, support from BBC 6 Music, and a standout appearance at Glastonbury Festival 2024, Jessie’s rise has been impossible to ignore. From opening for Loudon Wainwright III across sold-out London shows to performing at beloved festivals like Black Deer Festival and Moseley Folk Festival, her music continues to resonate deeply with audiences worldwide.
Don’t miss this spellbinding artist live at Musicport – intimate, raw, and utterly unforgettable!
The boys in blue are BACK
Hope & Social return to Musicport Festival 2026 with their trademark, life-affirming, joy-filled show and trust us, this is one you feel as much as you hear!
An electrifying mix of chaos, heart, and world-class musicianship, their shows are built on incredible songwriting, huge energy, and a whole lot of Northern charm. With a 3-piece horn section and soaring 5-part harmonies, they deliver a massive sound blending soul, indie, folk, disco, and art rock.
Think Dexys meets Bowie, think Bruce & the E Street Band
Think the most fun you’ve ever had at a gig
From Glastonbury to Leeds Arena, and festivals across the UK (and beyond). Expect singing. Expect dancing. Expect your face to hurt from smiling.
Debasmita Bhattacharya is a celebrated Indian classical sarod virtuoso known for bridging traditional heritage with contemporary global innovation.
Trained by her father and the legendary Pandit Buddhadev Dasgupta, she has mastered the intricate nuances of her instrument to become one of India’s most acclaimed performers.
A versatile global collaborator, Bhattacharya has graced prestigious stages like London’s Queen Elizabeth Hall and World Expo 2020. Her cross-cultural projects blend the sarod with diverse instruments, including the African kora and Chinese guzheng. Also a dedicated educator, she brings her soulful, boundary-pushing artistry to Musicport, offering a mesmerizing fusion of classical depth and contemporary expression.
A powerful voice in modern English folk . Jon Wilks is a singer, songwriter and masterful fingerpicking guitarist rooted in tradition, memory and place.
With a sound deeply embedded in English folk traditions, Jon’s work has earned widespread acclaim from The Guardian, MOJO, Uncut, Songlines and RNR, alongside a standout feature in Guitarist magazine.
A powerful voice in modern English folk. His live shows are intimate, rich and deeply authentic.
Whether performing solo or with The Grizzly Folk, his live shows are intimate, rich and deeply authentic.
PitchWitches bring a spellbinding vocal experience – a glorious blend of six female voices creating rich, powerful a cappella soundscapes.
Led by singer-songwriter and choral leader Em Whitfield Brooks, this exceptional group showcases some of the finest a cappella singers in Yorkshire, combining precision, warmth and undeniable energy.
Expect stirring songs, soulful delivery and soaring, sizzling harmonies that captivate from the very first note. With no instruments needed, PitchWitches create a full, immersive sound using nothing but their voices – raw, expressive and beautifully connected.
Pure vocal magic – uplifting, moving and unforgettable.
The Peace Artistes are a vibrant, high-energy street band born out of the protest movements of 1980s Britain, where music, activism and community came together in powerful ways.
Formed in Bradford by Peace Studies students and CND members, the band began by bringing joyful, rhythmic noise to marches and demonstrations – quickly evolving into a bold and unmistakable streetband sound.
Inspired by global brass and street band traditions, from New Orleans jazz to the Balkans, South America and beyond – their music blends saxophones, drums, wind instruments and infectious rhythms into a performance that’s both celebratory and subversive.
Rooted in a spirit of collaboration and community, The Peace Artistes embody the idea that music can be greater than the sum of its parts, uniting people through rhythm, movement and shared energy. Expect colour, character and a whole lot of groove.
A joyful explosion of sound, protest and global streetband culture.
The Quiet Fire is a meeting place of voices, stories and shared musical spirit – a band that feels both timeless and quietly powerful!
There’s an intimacy to The Quiet Fire, a sense of gathering, of connection – where in the right space, with the right listeners, something truly special begins to glow.
Subtle, soulful and deeply moving – music to gather around to!
Based in Ho Chi Minh City, Saigon Soul Revival (SSR) have been reviving the spirit of pre-1975 Saigon music since 2016, bringing the golden era of Nhạc Vàng back to life with a fresh, electrifying edge.
Through powerful live performances, the band pays tribute to the original composers and singers of this iconic era while reimagining classic Vietnamese songs with new arrangements and original compositions.
Subtle, soulful and deeply moving – music to gather around to!
The five-piece lineup – Nguyễn Anh Minh (vocals), Indy Jeremy Vinh Laville (guitar & Đàn Nguyệt), Nguyễn Hương Bảo Hiếu (drums), Gabriel Kaouros (bass/percussion), and Đăng Nguyễn Khoa (keys), delivers a rich, dynamic sound blending tight grooves with psychedelic textures and unmistakable energy.
A vibrant fusion of nostalgia and innovation – expect groove, soul and a journey through Vietnam’s rich musical past and present.
The Ballad of Blea Wyke is an evocative, lyrical spoken word performance inspired by the Selkie myth reimagined for a not-too-distant future.
A young woman breaks free from city lockdown to return to the wild coastal cliffs of her past, drawn by memory, myth and the call of the sea. What unfolds is a haunting, atmospheric journey blending storytelling, music, poetry and song, layered with rich harmonies and immersive vocal looping.
Created by Yorkshire theatre-maker and slam-winning poet Hannah Davies, alongside multi-instrumentalist Jack Woods and director Em Whitfield Brooks, the piece brings together powerful narrative and sound in a deeply moving live experience.
Developed from its beginnings at York Theatre Royal, the work has evolved into a fully staged performance following runs at York Theatre Royal Studio and Scarborough Fringe Festival.
A spellbinding fusion of myth, music and modern storytelling.
