Birmingham's Moseley Folk and Arts Festival 2023 wrapped up on Sunday night with the unexpected reunion of Wilco and Billy Bragg.

The headlining Americana stars and British songwriter/activist collaborated 25 years ago on the much lauded Mermaid Avenue project – an album which set previously unheard lyrics by US protest singer Woody Guthrie to music.

After his own set, Bragg was invited on-stage for Wilco’s encore, Mermaid Avenue highlight California Stars, before an on-stage hug between Bragg, Wilco’s Jeff Tweedy and the band.

It was just one of several stand-out moments at the 2023’s Moseley Folk and Arts Festival, which kicked off on Friday 1 September with appearances from ’60s rock royalty Graham Nash, Londoners Squeeze, and Mercury Prize nominated Welsh singer Gwenno.

Saturday saw Irish acts from across the decades perform rousing sets to a capacity crowd as rising newcomers The Mary Wallopers made way for the famed Saw Doctors. The day also welcomed performances from Rozi Plain and folk/EDM act Nogood Boyo, as well as witnessing a wedding proposal, as long-standing festival attendee Matt rowed Tiff out into the middle of the park’s lake to pop the question (she said ‘yes’).

Further highlights across the three-day event included appearances from a reformed Stornoway (who last visited the festival in 2011), and cult morris dancing troupe Boss Morris, who led a spectacular site-wide Sunday procession with masked woodland creatures and a huge corn dolly. There were also partnerships with Black Country Living Museum, Birmingham Comedy Festival, Verve and The Glee Club.

Meanwhile, Moseley Folk and Arts Festival also revealed Norwich six-piece Brown Horses as the winner of their Janice Long ‘Hello You’ Bursary – giving the band an opening slot on Friday.

The 18th Moseley Folk and Arts Festival is set for Friday 30 August to Sunday 1 September 2024. Loyalty tickets go on sale to subscribers and previous attendees on Friday 8 September 2023. For more information, see: moseleyfolk.co.uk