Lucy Ward

Lucy Ward

Lucy Ward is a folk singer from the United Kingdom, originally from Derby. She sings traditional English folk songs and her own material, and also plays guitar and concertina. She describes her voice as her first instrument, and her performances often include unaccompanied songs.

Career

Ward starts performing at a local folk club when she is 14, then continues into the wider folk circuit across the UK. She appears at clubs and festivals including Nettlebed Folk Club, Priddy Folk Festival, Big Session, Shrewsbury Festival and Glastonbury. After finishing her A-levels, she devotes herself fully to music.

Her early career includes support slots with Dave Swarbrick, Tams, Coope, Mawkin:Causley, Jim Moray, Nancy Kerr and James Fagan, and Seth Lakeman. Her sets combine traditional and contemporary folk interpretations with her own songs.

Recordings and recognition

Ward's debut album, Adelphi Has to Fly, is released by Navigator Records and receives critical acclaim. Her other releases include the single Flame. She wins the BBC Folk Awards 2012 Best Newcomer category, also referred to as the Horizon Award.

Style

Her music is rooted in English folk, with a strong emphasis on clear, powerful vocal delivery and an expressive approach to both traditional repertoire and original songwriting.