BOLTON DJ Mark Radcliffe will host an event launching the UK's first Official Folk Albums Chart.
Launched in partnership with English Folk Expo’s Manchester Folk Festival and supported by Showcase Scotland Expo, the first chart will be revealed on October 17.
The monthly chart will be compiled using physical and digital album sales, downloads and streams, from UK and Irish musicians releasing folk albums within the past 18 months.
The chart will be unveiled on the first Monday of each month on OfficialCharts.com and to englishfolkexpo.com. A monthly Official Folk Albums Chart playlist will also be available to stream on Spotify.
The very first chart will be unveiled at a special live-streamed event from HOME in Manchester on October 17, the weekend which would have seen the fourth annual edition of the Manchester Folk Festival.
Hosted by Radcliffe, who presents BBC Radio 2’s Folk Show, the event will feature performances from top UK and Irish folk artists, with more details to be announced.
He said: “Some people might say that folk and charts are odd bedfellows, but I don’t think so.
"Whatever kind of musician you are, you want to be successful, and imagine the thrill, whoever you are, of being number one in the charts! I’m very proud to be involved with the Official Folk Chart and wish everybody involved with it lots of luck."
Martin Talbot, chief executive of the Official Charts Company, added: “We are delighted to be supporting this fantastic new chart, celebrating all that is great about British and Irish folk music.
"The emergence of artists such as Laura Marling, Frank Turner and Kate Rusby as stars of the folk scene while also taking their place in the mainstream charts and award categories, illustrates how much love there is for this genre which is simultaneously one of the most ancient and contemporary genres in music.”
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