Heidi Talbot

Heidi Talbot

Born in Ireland, shaped by years in New York, celebrated across the United States, and now based in Edinburgh, Heidi Talbot is one of the most quietly captivating voices in contemporary folk music. First gaining international recognition as a member of the acclaimed Irish-American group Cherish the Ladies, Talbot has since forged a deeply personal solo career rooted in Irish tradition yet open to the wide emotional landscapes of Americana.

At the heart of Heidi Talbot's music is subtlety and songcraft. Her voice — pure, gossamer-light and emotionally resonant — carries centuries of folk storytelling while remaining unmistakably her own. Whether delicately reworking traditional material or breathing life into contemporary songs, she sings with a grace and restraint that draws the listener closer, earning rapt attention rather than demanding it. The girl from County Kildare, who spent several formative years immersed in the New York folk scene, moves effortlessly between musical worlds while retaining a humility and authenticity deeply grounded in Irish folk tradition.

Over the past twenty years, Heidi has toured extensively across North and South America, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Europe, Scandinavia, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand, performing in renowned concert halls and at major international festivals. She is equally at home in the intimacy of a folk club, the grandeur of a symphony orchestra, a performing arts centre, or even performing at the White House — always letting the song lead the way.

Her work has been recognised with nominations for Folk Singer of the Year and Best Traditional Song by BBC Radio 2, Best Live Act at the Scottish Traditional Music Awards, and Best Female Vocalist at the Irish Music Awards.

Heidi has shared stages and recording studios with an extraordinary and eclectic range of artists, including Mark Knopfler, Graham Coxon, Eddi Reader, Idlewild, King Creosote, Kris Drever, Tim O'Brien, Jerry Douglas, and Matt Rollings.

Critical acclaim has followed her throughout her career, with praise from The Guardian, The Independent, The Telegraph, Q Magazine, OK! Magazine, and Maverick. The Sunday Times called her performances "simply vocal heaven," while The New York Times described her voice as "both awestruck and tender."

Her music has received extensive radio support, including airplay on BBC Radio 2 (Simon Mayo Drivetime, Mark Lamarr), BBC 6 Music (Gideon Coe, Cerys Matthews, Tom Robinson, Marc Riley), alongside live sessions for Bob Harris, Janice Long, Loose Ends, In Tune, and Mark Radcliffe.

Television appearances include RTÉ's Late Late Show, BBC Hogmanay Live, CBS This Morning, NBC, and Imus In the Morning in the United States.

While signed to Nashville-based Compass Records, Heidi recorded four solo albums. Over the past six years she has released a further four self-released albums and EPs, distributed by Universal Records, including her most recent and critically acclaimed release, Sing It For A Lifetime.

In 2023, Heidi worked with multi-award-winning composer Christian Henson on an upcoming television series while completing her degree in Composing for Film and Games with the Film Scoring Academy of Europe. That same year, she was awarded Composer of the Year at the Scots Trad Music Awards.

This performance at Barnoldswick Music & Arts Centre offers a rare opportunity to experience Heidi Talbot exactly as her music is meant to be heard — up close, unfiltered, and deeply human. In one of the most intimate listening rooms in the country, her songs, stories, and spellbinding voice promise an evening of quiet beauty, Irish soul, and timeless folk magic.