As well as a full line-up of music, there's the Old Ways Makerspace, talks and activities and lots of ways to slow down, relax and re-connect.
We want to make sure there’s plenty to see and do, but also plenty of space, so we’ve scheduled things so that you don’t have to miss out on anything!
Steve Knightley, a highly acclaimed singer-songwriter and founding member of 'Show of Hands,' is a prominent figure in English Folk/Acoustic music. Celebrated for his deep connection to the West Country, his extensive body of work, uniquely blends historical narratives with contemporary themes. In 1994 with multi-instrumentalist Phil Beer he formed 'Show of Hands,' praised by Peter Gabriel as one of the 'Great English Bands.' As a songwriter, Knightley earned the title of Tom Robinson's Songwriter of the 90s and he has won three BBC Folk Awards. His influence extends to the visual arts, serving as the artistic director of the 'Shrouds of the Somme' installation in 2016. He also collaborated with actors Jim Carter and Imelda Staunton on an Album of Great War Poetry and music. Knightley's commitment to addressing social issues is evident in songs like 'Country Life' and 'Arrogance, Ignorance and Greed,' earning recognition at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards. His impact extends beyond accolades, with compositions like 'The Galway Farmer' recognised as a 'traditional' Irish folk song, and 'Cousin Jack' now taught in Cornish schools. In 2014 he began the ground-breaking 'Grow your Own Gig' tour empowering local communities to host concerts without financial risk. Plymouth University made Steve an Honorary Doctor of Music and he was also made an Honorary Rifleman by the local 6th Rifles Regiment. Despite pandemic challenges, his creative output remained robust, generating over 100 hours of content. With more than 4,000 performances and over fifty appearances at Glastonbury, Knightley leaves an enduring impact on audiences worldwide. Described by Tony Hall as 'A Showman and Craftsman at the peak of his powers,' praised by Mark Radcliffe for writing 'some of the best songs in the last twenty years,' and acknowledged by former head of Sony publishing Fran Malyan as ‘One of my favourite frontmen,' Knightley's essence is best encapsulated by Robin Denselow of The Guardian as 'The Gravel-voiced Spokesman of the rural poor.'
Rachael Dadd is a spirited independent songwriter and performer based in Bristol. With songs that disarm and inspire, she has headlined tours around the UK, Europe and Japan and regularly performs with long time friends and collaborators This Is The Kit and Rozi Plain. Her most recent album ‘Kaleidoscope’ included a limited edition DINKED vinyl with a bonus EP of non-album tracks featuring This is the Kit and Rozi Plain, which followed Rachael's critically acclaimed ‘Flux’ album, which gained a coveted 6 Music's Album of the Day. Co-produced "intuitively, boldly, and playfully" by Rachael and Rob Pemberton (The Staves, Emily Barker, Maja Lena), ‘Kaleidoscope’ includes musical collaborators such as Maja Lena (Low Chimes), long-time collaborator Emma Gatrill (Billy Marten, Willy Mason), Alex Heane (bass), Charlotte West (synths), Alex Garden (strings) and ‘Flux’ producer Marcus Hamblett (Villagers, James Holden, The Staves), giving the record "just the right colour combination, just the right pattern of shapes, plenty of space where needed and finally landing in a sound world that feels fresh and open and true” reflects Rachael. With a background in fine art, Rachael puts great attention into the conceptual and visual through her music videos, album artwork, hand-made merchandise and exhibitions. Alongside recording and performing with her band, Rachael writes songs for her Bristol based community choirs BYOB Choir (bring your own baby) and OAK Choir (Of All Kin) a new inclusive choir celebrating diversity and the coming together in the unity of song. Lately Rachael has become an integral part of a new network of Mothers in Music discussing the barriers in the music industry for mothers and how to challenge them and pave the way for change. She will headline an all dayer of music and live discussion, alongside many of the network on the 7th March at the Mount Without in Bristol.
Merseyside hero Ian Prowse is a guitarist, singer-songwriter, and frontman of Amsterdam and previously the frontman of indie cult band Pele. Raised on protest songs, influenced by the Celtic sounds that make Liverpool so unique, and inspired by the song writing craftsmanship of Paul Weller, Mike Scott, Bruce Springsteen and Elvis Costello, Ian’s 30-year song writing career and 100% committed live shows have gathered him a reputation as the ‘Scouse Springsteen’ amongst his devoted fans. Amsterdam saw success with their first single ‘The Journey’ hitting the UK top 40, but it’s their song ‘Does This Train Stop on Merseyside?’ which reduced John Peel to tears live on Radio 1 because of its connection with Liverpool, the city he loved, as well as being the centrepiece of Irish legends Christy Moore’s No.1 album ‘Listen’. Pele’s first 3 singles stormed the Radio 1 A-List with Megalomania reaching No.1 in the South Africa charts. Ian is fresh off his successful Fireworks 30 Tour with his band Amsterdam and is enjoying success as the support of choice for Elvis Costello, The Wonder Stuff and The Blow Monkeys. We're pleased to welcome Ian to the Barn at Braziers as a duo with the Fiddle of Fire.
In a 20 year career, Brighton psych/folk singer Chris T-T released 10 acclaimed solo albums (“genius, a modern-day Blake, songs so unfettered they never had moorings to slip” — The Sunday Times, “brilliant” — Clive James, “a man we can trust with our lives” — Steve Lamacq) and played more than 2,000 shows around the world. In 2017 Chris abruptly retired from making his own music, and he's now a writer, record producer and counsellor. He does still play occasionally as a piano accompanist for other artists, notably Jim Bob (Carter USM). This summer, Chris T-T is “reforming" — for a few months only — to share new vinyl editions of his beloved albums, '9 Red Songs' (20th Anniversary Edition) and also 'London Is Sinking' (2003). His set at SeptemberSong will be one of just FOUR live appearances (alongside Glastonbury 2025, Lost Evenings 2025 in Edinburgh, and a one-off London headline show at the 100 Club). After that, Chris T-T will vanish again, for the foreseeable future.
Katy Rose Bennett is a Birmingham-based singer, multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, composer and arranger. She has been creating her earthy, intimate folk music for over 20 years, telling stories of love, despair, connection and community. She has released 7 albums to critical acclaim with plays on BBC Radio 2, 3 & 6 and RTE 1, and she has toured the UK and beyond. In recent years, Katy has collaborated across art forms, creating music for dance, spoken word and theatre. She loves bringing people together through song, whether that’s through performing her songs or getting 100 people singing in sweet acapella harmony - or sometimes both at the same time! "Fascinating stuff... a sort of folk-meets-Laurie Anderson" Mark Radcliffe, BBC Radio 2 "Lingering spell-craft of multi-layered acappella vocals" Songlines
Critically acclaimed artist Gabriel Minnikin is a mainstay in the international music scene. Over his career Minnikin’s albums have been nominated in the Best Americana, Best Country and Best Bluegrass categories. Originally from Nova Scotia Canada, Gabriel did his time as an honorary Mancunian for nearly a decade. At a young age the multi-instrumentalist became a sought-after session musician and songwriter internationally. He has toured Canada, America, UK, and the EU extensively. Minnikin’s latest album “Anne Lorraine” is out now and is already turning heads as he continues to intrigue listeners with his unique brand of Canadiana. He is no stranger to the Truck Festivals, Wood Festival, Harvest, and eagerly awaiting his performance at this year’s Septembersong Festival. If you’re not familiar already, have a listen. His music is available on all platforms. Minnikin can be found on Instagram as well.
Ellie Wilson is a composer and violinist whose work 'braids together so many musical worlds’ (Tom Service, BBC Radio 3). Her output ranges from live performances to immersive sound installations and draws on themes of psychogeography, nature, memories, history and folklore. Her music has been described as 'reflective, playful and mesmerizing' (Songlines Magazine) and ‘beautifully poised’ (Errollyn Wallen, BBC Radio 3). Her new piece Moth x Human highlights declining UK biodiversity. Commissioned by Oxford Contemporary Music it captures the ebb and flow of moth activity throughout the night by sonifying data provided by scientists at UKCEH. It has been selected for PRS Foundation’s New Music Biennial with performances in Bradford and London and will be broadcast on BBC Radio 3 and released on NMC Recordings. Recent highlights include: a sound installation for Epping Forest as part of an artist residency, the score for Shakespeare’s Globe productions of Henry VI and Richard III and a solo album Memory Islands of works for violin, hardanger fiddle and electronics. Ellie’s live set at Eavesdropping Festival, Café Oto (2024) was recorded for BBC Radio 3’s New Music Show and hailed by The Wire Magazine as one of ‘the weekend’s best moments. Mix[ing] humility and adventure’. Photo credit Michelle Foulser.
Thomas Truax is an inventive American songwriter who makes music that takes you on a whimsical and unpredictable sonic journey. His live performances captivate audiences with a delightful blend of homemade instruments, live guitar looping, and enchanting storytelling. His unique self-made ‘band mates’ include a motorized drum machine made of bike wheels, spoons and other found items called 'Mother Superior' and a souped up Gramophone called 'The Hornicator’ Armed with these and a guitar named Hank, he writes poetically evocative songs about insects, trees, technology, love, and a lifelong fascination with the Moon. His music evades easy pigeonholing, dancing between art rock, post-punk, touches of 50s rockabilly and a distinct brand of surreal Americana. Ten studio LPs include a highly-rated covers album 'Songs From The Films Of David Lynch’. Though he usually performs solo, other notable past supporters and collaborators have included Jarvis Cocker, Duke Special, James Smith of Yard Act, Richard Hawley, Bob Log III, Brian Viglione (Dresden Dolls/Violent Femmes) drummer Budgie (Siouxsie & the Banshees, the Slits, The Creatures), and the late author Terry Pratchett. "Endlessly inventive and creative…A show not to be missed!” -Oxford Times “The spectacle of Truax’s live set is unlike anything that you’ll see elsewhere, but if it was all about the mechanical stagecraft it wouldn’t keep bringing us back. Thankfully the songs sparkle with the same sense of invention, imbued with humour and heart” -Joyzine "Truax is shaping up nicely as one of the great rock eccentrics.” -UNCUT
“I play for peace in these uncertain times” Jali Fily (a GRIOT) is a traditional storyteller/musician who can trace his roots back to 12th century Mali where they entertained and advised the Kings of the empire. Born into the great lineage of Cissokho Griots from Southern Senegal, he began his training at the age of 6 with tuition from his Griot father and songs learnt from his Griot mother. His music and compositions are deeply rooted in his Mande tradition and his performances show the virtuosity of his kora playing as he is able to pick three parts at once: bass line, melody and improvisations above them, mixing fearsome technique with an ability to improvise scintillating runs out of thin air. He creates a unique musical blend that spans centuries and continents, ranging from solo traditional Mande music to rocking electro-kora with his Coute Diomboulou Band. Since moving to the UK in 2002 he has performed at many major festivals and worked with many renowned musicians including his nephew Seckou Keita, Toumani Diabate, Baba Maal, AR Rahman and Will Gregory (of Goldfrapp fame).
With Misadventureland, Mountaintop Junkshop take listeners on a journey through the winding roads of alternative folk-country, blending haunting melodies and evocative storytelling into a rich sonic landscape. Featuring lush arrangements of guitar, strings, lap steel, and piano, this album pulses with the warmth of vintage vinyl, yet carries a distinctly modern edge. The album’s lyrics, deeply influenced by literary traditions, read like short stories—each track unfolding with a new chapter of longing, loss, and hope. At the heart of it all is the interplay between the male and female vocals, which complement each other perfectly, creating a dialogue of emotional depth. Misadventureland is a record for those who appreciate music that lingers, a sound that is both timeless and fresh, and an album that sounds right at home on a turntable.
Our ‘Old Ways’ maker space aims to showcase some almost-lost skills and technologies, in some cases with the chance to take part yourself, or just to watch the crafts-folk at work. Here's what happened at last year's event. More info about what's on at Septembersong 2025 will be available soon...
Pottery
Lucy Young will be bringing her pottery wheel to Septembersong to demonstrate the art of throwing clay on a wheel with the opportunity for people to experience the thrill and complexities of throwing their own pot. We are so pleased that Lucy has made bespoke tankards for Septembersong which will be available in advance on our website (with a free pint of course!) or at the festival while supplies last.
Sourdough Bread Making
Learn all about the art of sourdough bread baking with Hannah Bironzo (aka The Gypsy Baker). Hannah has taught hundreds of bakers from all over the UK (and beyond) in monthly workshops where she shares her San Francisco sourdough starter with every baker who joins. We were lucky to have Hannah at Wood Festival 2024 and super pleased she returns for Septembersong to bake and break delicious sourdough bread together.
Porch Preserves
Perhaps the ultimate in food recycling, volunteers use donations from the Oxford Food Bank and produce from their own allotments to make Porch Preserves. Experience jam, marmalade and chutney made by hand, with love and with the aims of providing a therapeutic experience and raising money for the Porch Day Centre for the homeless and vulnerably housed in Oxford.
Willow Weaving
Emma and Stuart of The Coddiwomplers will be running Willow Weaving and Willow Crafts drop-in workshops throughout the day. Just turn up, tell them what you'd like to make, then they help you make it! They offer a wide range of things to choose from, from simple woven fish, through to more complex bird feeders. Check out this instagram reel to get a feel for what it’s like.
Toko Bowls
Try your hand at carving a wooden toko bowl using bespoke carving tools with Simon Clements. Notice the growing pile of delicate curved wood chips as your bowl takes shape, and learn about the character and nature of timber as you carve. Carving with a knife or ‘whittling’ is a quiet, contemplative activity. Simon is a sculptor and printmaker working from his rural Oxfordshire studio.
Stone carving
Will O’Leary will again be demonstrating the art of stone carving. Will has been carving stone for many years and specialise in memorials and carving work. Major commissions have included: a half ton green Cumbrian slate plaque with cut and gilded lettering for Prince Charles' architectural foundation in London and even a 4 ton lobster for a private garden in Shropshire!
Visible Mending
Sam (The Red Robe) will be running a visible mending workshop where you can learn techniques to mend your favourite pieces of clothing. Sam designs and hand makes one of a kind festival jackets and accessories using vintage and repurposed fabrics and zero waste designs. Each piece is unique, and made in a sustainable way so that you can express yourself and have fun, whilst looking out for the environment!
The Junior Makerspace features crafts, like hapa zome natural printing, as well as kids’ yoga, and a loose parts play area. As always, the Woodland play area will be open too!
Start each day with ways to connect to yourself, the environment and one another, like yoga, meditation and singing groups. Take a look at what was on offer in 2024. More info about Septembersong 2025 coming soon!
Seasonal Meditation
Anna, an Oxford-based yoga teacher and sound bath facilitator with over a decade of experience, will lead a guided yoga nidra style meditation inspired by the cycles of nature and the Celtic wheel of the year, blended with the soothing sound of gongs, chimes and singing bowls.
Barefoot Walking
Hannah Secouet of Base Camp takes us on a morning barefoot walk for adults. Find out why regular barefoot walks (or grounding) are good for your health and wellbeing, and be guided through mindfulness and reflection exercises along the way, to ensure you’re present and prepared for the day ahead.
Family Barefoot Walk
Join Hannah on a family walk where participants can take time to really feel what is beneath our feet as we tread (carefully!) through the different textures of nature, without our shoes and socks. There’ll be a few games along the way, as well as the chance to make your own lasting footprint from Septembersong - that is, if you’re brave enough to walk in mud!
Communal Singing
Lisa Doscher, who will also be performing on Sunday at 4:20 pm in the Wonky Church, will lead a harmony singing workshop on Saturday: a joyful singing experience welcoming all types of voices. Sing layered harmony songs and add a bit of rhythmic body percussion/ beatboxing if the spirit moves us! No singing experience necessary.
Song Fishing
Dan Whitehouse (performing on Friday at 7:25 pm in the Marquee) will lead a songwriting workshop on Saturday morning, in association with Company of Song and Songwriting Campfire, called ‘Song Fishing’, designed to connect with your inner child and focus on the activities of writing as a playful experience, a kind of performance in itself.
Feral Singing
Singing to ground you, lift you, inspire and connect you. Elena Harris leads a singing workshop on Sunday morning. Elena is deeply inspired by the natural world to sing and serenade respect and gratitude in return for it's incredible gifts. Experience the joy of putting voices together to connect to each other and the earth.
Circling
In the afternoons, Karen Skehel will be facilitating a circling session. Circling is an authentic relating practice that fosters deeper, more meaningful connections with ourselves and others. Put simply, circling is a different way of having a conversation. Karen is a Facilitator of the Healing Arts, leading wellbeing workshops and sharing her work on ITV, BBC1 as well as being a regular contributor to Natural Health Magazine.
"Inheritance"
Romilly Swann talks about her chapter Inheritance from the recently published Wild Service. "In Wild Service we meet Britain's new nature defenders: an anarchic cast of guerilla guardians who neither own the places they protect, nor the permission to restore them. Still, they're doing it anyway..." Romilly will discuss her chapter and give some updates on the Hardwick Estate with time for questions afterwards.
Sound Worlds
Listen to the sounds of frogs, hippos, bats and more as you immerse yourself in these composed sound worlds. Sound artist Nikki Sheth created these as part of a series of soundscape works using field recordings taken from around the world. Nikki is an internationally recognised sound artist and composer whose work aims to give voice to the environment and foster a deeper connection with the natural world.
Sound Bath
Satyagraha Gongs offers individual sound baths- an immersive experience where a safe space is created in a cocoon of sound for relaxation and letting go. Sound baths are an effective way of triggering a release of tension and stimulating the natural good feeling of the body. Colin & Olive have over 38 years experience and their sessions are unique in the field of using sound for deepening wellbeing.
Tea Meditation and Journalling
James from the Tiny Tea House will share a tea meditation followed by a free-form journaling exercise. Tea meditation acts as a bridge to help us connect with a state of mindful awareness - using sight, sound, smell and taste to connect with ourselves and the season. Free-form journaling helps us to empty our thoughts unfiltered onto the page before reflecting on our words to gain new insights, perspectives and clarity on the summer that has passed and the autumn season ahead.
Iris of Palestine Art Installation
Artists Lucy Irvine and Jenny Pickford invite you to take a moment to reflect on recent events in Palestine through and interactive exhibition to create of a field of irises- the national flower of Palestine. Jenny’s Iris of Palestine sculpture is on loan from her current exhibition SUPERNATURE on at WaterPerry Gardens and will be on display next to a temporary installation field of paper irises. 50% of all sales of Jenny’s Iris sculptures will go to support humanitarian needs for the children in Gaza.
Linescapes
Hugh Warwick spends a lot of time talking about hedgehogs, but this year he is offering something a little different. Humans have marked the landscape with their lines - the hedges, walls, green lanes, canals, railways and roads all slice up the land as boundaries or transit. These lines have an impact on the nature with which we share the land. Some of them have become great corridors for wildlife, some of them deathtraps that fragment. Hugh will talk about the potential these lines offer as a way to reconnect the landscape and also to reconnect ourselves with what remains. Hedgehogs will appear … throughout … who is he kidding …
Converations with Owls
Accompanied by Owla and Phyllis her rescued barn and tawny owls, Zoologist, Dr Sasha Norris will speak about the needs of wild animals in the wild and our desperate desire for and need for connection with the natural world; how this manifests in wildlife rescue work and how we can best direct it to help biological diversity everywhere. Sasha runs a wildlife sanctuary in Herefordshire and registered charity Siren conservation Education. Sasha shares her home with over 100 rescued animals and 20 different species whom she cares for and observes diligently throughout the year. They are, she says, her greatest teachers.
event photos by Fyrefly Studios
Location
Braziers Park, Ipsden, Wallingford, Oxfordshire, OX10 6AN
Opening Times
Doors open Friday 19th September (6pm)
Music ends Sunday 21st September (9pm)
Braziers Barn, Braziers Park, Ipsden, Wallingford, Oxfordshire, OX10 6AN
BUS: Braziers Park is served by the X40 Thames Travel service connecting to Oxford, Wallingford and Reading. The Braziers Lane stop is a request stop so ask the driver, and it’s a 5 minute walk to the festival site from the stop. Take care if crossing the busy A4074.
TRAIN: It’s best to go to Reading station and then catch theX40 bus to Braziers Park, as these buses run from just outside the station. Goring & Streatley Station is around 40-60 minutes walk with steep hills and no buses- occasionally taxis.
To catch a bus from Reading railway station, leave the station at the main entrance, cross the road opposite and make your way to bus stop EB. The bus takes approximately 30-35 minutes.
There is a £20 (weekend) parking charge.
Parking can be paid in advance.
Why not try Liftshare?
Liftshare is free to use and helps people who are going to the same place connect to share lifts. There is a dedicated Liftshare Community for people attending festivals.
A limited number of camper van passes are available.
You will require a separate camper van ticket – available from the ticket page.
3 nights camping in the beautiful surrounds of Braziers Park, Oxfordshire, is included with your weekend ticket.
No gazebos are allowed in the campsite.
For your safety the campsite is monitored 24 hours.
Luxury bell tents for 2 - 4 people are available to hire from our friends at Beautiful-Bells.co.uk.
Your tent will be ready and waiting for you on your arrival at the festival!
Includes:
5m cream canvas bell tent furnished with flooring, rug, cushions, mirror, bedside tables, LED lanterns, fairy lights and REAL plants.
Beds and mattresses - Each single comes with additional memory foam topper, duvet with cover, fitted sheet, and 2 pillows with cases.
Bell tents can be booked when purchasing tickets for the event.
Our wood-fired showers will be running throughout the weekend.
A limited number of rooms can be booked in Braziers Park house.
Please contact Braziers Park directly to book – 01491 680 221.
Children under 18 must be accompanied by a paying adult.
Children under the age of 16 must be supervised by a parent or guardian at all times.
Children aged 13-17 need to have a Teen ticket.
Children 2 and under need to have a Child ticket.
Children under the age of 2 go free but we do ask that you include them in your purchase so we know who's coming.
We kindly ask that all children under 13 wear wristbands with the phone number of their parent or guardian These wristbands will be provided when you arrive at the main entrance to the festival.
Wood HQ is committed to understanding and improving access for everyone and new for 2026 has signed the Attitude is Everything Live Events Access Charter, a framework, toolkit, and assessment process designed to drive genuine accessibility across the live events and music industry.
We have accessible parking, camping and toilet facilities.
We offer a free Personal Assistant or Carer ticket for ticket holders over the age of 18 or for children requiring additional support. This requires supporting documentation.
Please get in touch if with us you have specific access requirements.
Please report any issues or concerns to Festival HQ. Someone in our team will be able to direct you to the help you need.
Wood HQ works hard to make our festival a safe and inclusive space and have signed the Safer Spaces charter. A link to our full Safer Spaces policy, including how and where you can get support, can be found by clicking this link.
We’re sorry but dogs must stay at home. This field is used for grazing when we are not here.
Open fires are not allowed. You are warmly invited to sit around the main campfire from dusk ‘til late.
All the toilets are composting. Don't knock it until you try it!
Here's what people have to say about them:
"..much more environmentally friendly and much nicer to use." -Laura M.
"It proves that you don't have to go to the loo in a horrible plastic box that smells awful."- Sam I.
"Some of the nicest loos on a festival site that I've ever used!" -George U.
Food Stalls and Trading at Septembersong
If you sell ethically sourced, fairly traded, traceable goods in environmentally friendly packaging and would like to trade at Septembersong, please get in touch!
Keep up to date with all the latest news!
