**The call is out to young musicians under the age of 25 who sing or play traditionally based music to enter for New Roots 2026.**
Whether your style is traditional or contemporary folk, roots or world music, whether you perform traditional material or write your own, the organisers would like to hear from you. There are two categories, under 18 and 18-24. New Roots has been running since 2000 and the standard rises every year. After temporary changes during the Covid pandemic and taking a break in 2025, it has returned to its usual schedule
The list of judges for 2026 has been finalised. Between them, Tash Daly, Valmai Goodyear, Megan Wisdom and Mossy Christian represent a wide spectrum of insights into the folk scene.
The judges’ task will be firstly to listen to the entries sent in and select the performers who will take part in the final on Sunday April 19, 2026 at Trestle Arts Base in St Albans. On the day they will give constructive feedback to performers. There is no overall winner and we try to ensure that everyone who makes it to the final will win one or more performance opportunities and everyone who takes part will get a video of their perfomance. The aim is to match the performers to the opportunities which are offered to New Roots finalists.
Performers who want to enter are invited to complete the entry form on the New Roots web site and email it to
The closing date is 31 January 2026.
For further and more up to date information visit our web site www.new-roots.org.uk This also has a form for event organisers who wish to offer performance opportunities for young musicians.