Moseley Folk Festival: The 2022 Experience

This is our fourth year of Moseley Folk Festival, and we’re always drawn to the Friday. There’s something that feels naughty about taking the day off work to go drinking. Our first Festival was back in 2016, with Levellers headlining; we inexplicably missed 2017 and 2018 before returning for Public Service Broadcasting in 2019. After the year that wasn’t, we watched The Waterboys headline in 2021. This year, it’s all about Supergrass.

Our Moseley Folk Festival Experience 2022

It’s a bit harder for us to get to Moseley now from home, so we base ourselves in my childhood home, Casa Lee. It’s always been lovely and sunny on Festival Friday. Our luck was bound to run out sometime. Heavy skies and a persistent drizzle threaten to put a dampener on things. Fingers crossed for a change in the weather, we don waterproof coats and hats; an umbrella nestles in my backpack along with sun cream and sunglasses. Ever the optimist.

We wave goodbye to the miserable taxi driver who drops us off on the Alcester Road. Taking our lives into our hands, we cross the busy road, and head down the small alleyway that leads to Moseley Park and Pool. Honestly, you would not know it’s there normally; only the number of people milling around with camping chairs give the game away.

Gates are open from 1pm; there is barely a queue when we arrive just before 3:30pm. Our bags are thoroughly checked for any contraband; even our water bottle is sniffed in case we’re trying to sneak in alcohol. You can bring food into Moseley Folk Festival, although with all the lovely food vendors on offer it’s not something we ever consider. Our mobile tickets are scanned; this year wristbands also come with a scanned tag. Our newly adorned wrists are carefully checked by security, and we’re finally into the festival site.

The park, as always, looks spectacular. Lights are strung up between trees, alternating with fluttering flags and windcatchers. The two main stages are directly ahead, with Moseley Pool as a backdrop. They are unusually side-by-side, meaning that there’s no interruption in entertainment as bands play on alternate stages. We’ve not eaten since breakfast time so we head past the bars – I know, unusual for us – in favour of the outdoor food court. As luck would have it, there’s plenty of space to throw down our picnic blanket – despite the intermittent drizzle – so I go off to procure provisions.

Eating & Drinking at Moseley Folk Festival

There’s a stellar food line-up, full of local independents. The English Indian for fish and chips with a twist. BOP kebabs, bringing the Middle East to Moseley. Vietnamese goodies from the excellently monikered Brúm Mì. Bonehead, serving the best chicken and waffle fries in Birmingham. So many more mouth-watering options. But I have a hankering for a burger, so head for the expert burger slingers Original Patty Men. Still the best burgers in Brum (in my humble opinion).

I’m happy once in possession of a couple of Cheezy-E burgers and seasoned fries. I try – and fail – to pop the foil wrapped burgers in the pocket of my waterproof, so instead precariously stack the two trays and try not to drop this precious cargo. It’s stopped raining (for the time being) so we eat whilst enjoying the delicate guitar and ethereal vocals of Bess Atwell. A rampant child does put their foot in our discarded food tray, spilling the remnants of ketchup-covered fries over our picnic blanket.

Mr Fletche goes off in search of beer. There are more bars scattered around this year, spreading the queues a little more thinly. A separate bar now offers the 4 pint canisters. I complained about this last year, after being forced to succumb to a 4 pint canister myself after a 45 minute queue behind everyone else ordering them. I subsequently blamed this for my hangover. There’s also a separate bar where you can purchase cans from local breweries including Attic, Glasshouse and Birmingham Brewing. Cocktail and fizz bars are also separate.

The main bars though are largely stocked with Purity ales. Mr Fletche works his way through the offering during the course of the day; I mainly stick with their Common Man hazy pale ale. Pints are £5.60. There’s a £2 “deposit” for the reusable pint glasses, although you don’t actually get your “deposit” back. We now have two more Moseley Folk Festival branded glasses as souvenirs. To add to last year’s.

Let’s talk toilets

We decide to stick with our spot, handily located for food, drink and portaloos. A word on the portaloos: largely these are kept in decent condition, with loo roll and hand gel regularly replenished. There are rarely queues – only for the first bank as you enter. Head on to the bank of portaloos opposite the urinals and you’ll find plenty available. Someone had pooped on my first mid-afternoon visit. Who comes to a festival to poop in the portaloos?

Rain showers come and go. Our waterproofs go on and off. Thankfully, it is a warm day, despite the drizzle. Although not a good combo for my hair. I’m not likely to part with my hat any time soon. There are bands that we’ve heard of, largely thanks to 6 Music. The Weather Station. Kurt Vile and the Violators. And bands I haven’t heard of. Novelty Island. Solar Eyes. LYR. No-one offends my ears which is a bonus.

Not wanting to lose our prime spot, we take it in turns to stroll around the festival site. Mr Fletche heads to the Kitchen Garden Stage, where there is a much more chilled vibe. I mooch around the merchandise stall, fingering band t-shirts but not making a purchase. Mr Fletche returns from The Bournville Waffle Company stall, brandishing a Biscoff waffle and looking pleased with himself. Flirting with the staff has earned him a free waffle*

*Disclaimer. We know the team behind the waffles. No flirting necessary.

It’s late in the day…

Time for headliners, Britpop/Indie/Rock darlings Supergrass. We make our way towards the front of the main stage, collecting beer on the way. We stay towards the front for the first song, but underneath the speakers Gaz’s vocals are drowned out by the guitar so we find a new position. There’s plenty of space for us to dance, sing and wave our arms in the air (like we just don’t care). I say sing. I soon realise I only know one line of every Supergrass song. But I sing that line enthusiastically.

Considering the single entrance/exit to the park can be quite a bottleneck, everyone leaves in a polite and civilised manner. We spill out onto the streets of Moseley. I toy with the idea of heading for the after party at the Hare and Hounds, but Mr Fletche points out that we are encumbered with two backpacks and a picnic blanket. Instead we board the surprisingly punctual No 1 bus, a step closer to Casa Lee.

What to bring to Moseley Folk Festival

The triumvirate of festival essentials. Tickets (digital or otherwise). Contactless payment (the festival prefers to be cashless where possible). Mobile phone for food photos, gurning selfies and fuzzy band footage. You’ll also want something to sit on, be it camping chairs or a picnic blanket. September weather – scrap that, English weather – can be a little unpredictable so plan for sunshine, snow, high winds, monsoons and a plague of locusts.

What not to bring

Alcohol. The festival is licenced for on-site sales only. They’re not just trying to grab extra money from you. Soft drinks and water are permitted, preferably in reusable metal containers. Glass isn’t allowed, and single-use plastics should be kept to a minimum. We were allowed a plastic water bottle once security had done the alcohol sniff test.

Is it kiddie-friendly?

Moseley Folk Festival is a family-friendly event, and under 12s are free of charge with no ticket required. However there isn’t a lot there to specifically entertain children as the focus is on the live music. Face-painting (£3 a pop) was highly popular with small and big kids alike. I didn’t partake as I thought it may be rude to mess up the pillowcases at Casa Lee.

One thing I think odd is enthusiastic parents shepherding their small children to the front of the stage for the headliners. And then inevitably shepherding them back out five minutes later when they’ve been crushed/trampled on/subjected to a shower of beer. Then again, I’m not a parent. What do I know? Maybe it’s character-building. As someone who once accidently entered a moshpit and my feet didn’t touch the floor for five minutes, the only thing I learned was to never do it again. I value my life too much.

Is it accessible?

Moseley Folk Festival takes place in a naturally landscaped park, so there are plenty of tree roots and uneven inclines. There is a covered disabled viewing area and accessible toilets available, and efforts are made for the site to be as inclusive as possible. The Festival access and disability policy can be found here.

Is it dog-friendly?

As much as any experience is improved by the presence of doggos, Moseley Folk Festival is strictly no-dogs. Apart from guide dogs, naturally.

Getting tickets

Tickets for Moseley Folk Festival usually go on sale around March time, with early-bird tickets available before bands are announced. Our one-day tickets were £55 each; weekend tickets are also available. Keep an eye on the festival’s socials for the 2023 ticket launch.

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How to get to Moseley Folk Festival

Moseley Park and Pool is smack-bang in the middle of Moseley Village, and therefore there is no on-site parking. There are a few off-site car parks in Moseley but public transport is your best option. The No 50 bus goes direct from Birmingham City Centre, and takes about 15 minutes.

Moseley Folk Festival Friday is one of my favourite Fridays of the year. Chilled out vibes, good music, good food, good beer, good weather… usually. I’m already looking forward to next year.

Moseley Folk Festival takes place the first weekend of September, Friday-Sunday. It takes place at Moseley Park and Pool, 93B Alcester Road, Birmingham B13 8DD.