Naomi Bedford & Paul Simmonds

The duo of Naomi Bedford and Paul Simmonds is a collaboration of two highly respected folk and country performers that has drawn widespread praise. They played a well-received support slot at TwickFolk last year, and we are delighted to welcome them back to headline.

Naomi has made four acclaimed albums. Her most recent offering, recorded with Paul, is Singing It All Back Home, a collection of Appalachian ballads that was a Guardian Album of the Month in 2019. Produced by BBC Folk Award winner Ben Walker, it has been described by Ian Anderson, editor of fRoots, as "21st-century folk music". Naomi's previous albums have featured contributions from UK music legends such as Justin Currie, Andy Summers, Alasdair Roberts and Paul Heaton.

Paul has been the songwriter and mandolin/guitarist with English folk rock institution The Men They Couldnt Hang since 1984. He has recorded more than 15 albums on major labels, toured the world twice and appeared at most major festivals including supports to David Bowie, Van Morrison and The Pogues. His songs have featured in documentaries, TV shows, adverts, trails and also in academic courses and dissertations.