Acoustic sounds and news about 21st Century Folk

The best folk and acoustic music from Britain and beyond.

This week, Mark shares news about 21st Century Folk, which returns to Radio 2 later this month.

Following in the footsteps of the BBC's Radio Ballads, the project sees five people inspire five new folk songs. Previous years have focused on the north east of England, the sea and the railways.

Songs in the project have previously been created by Martyn Joseph, The Young'uns, Thea Gilmore, Findlay Napier, Kris Drever, Kate Rusby, Angeline Morrison, The Unthanks, Squeeze's Chris Difford, Kathryn Williams, Cara Dillon, Sam Lakeman, Seth Lakeman, Fisherman's Friends, Lady Nade, Boo Hewerdine, Bill Ryder-Jones, Richard Thompson, Chris While and Julie Matthews.

Mark announces the theme and the songwriters for 2026.

Plus new releases by Frankie Archer and Karine Polwart & Pippa Murphy.

Produced by Pomona Audio in Salford for BBC Radio 2.