Britain's What's On Event Guide

Conservatoire Folk Ensemble

Truly the most joyous noise I have ever heard and re-affirming my faith in the potential of the human race. – Jon Bens

The UK's largest and most exhilarating folk band, Joe Broughton’s Conservatoire Folk Ensemble, is set to bring its explosive energy to Huntingdon Hall, Worcester on Friday 12th June 2026 for an unforgettable evening of genre-defying, high-octane music.

A firm Worcester favourite, the Ensemble has regularly lit up the Huntingdon Hall stage but the band have recently been busy all across the UK, leaving a lasting impression at Fairport’s Cropredy Convention, Kendal Calling, and Birmingham Symphony Hall in 2025 alone. Over the years They've played everywhere from The Royal Albert Hall to venues across France, Germany, Holland and Belgium – and now they’re bringing their uncontainable festival spirit to one of Worcester’s most atmospheric venues.

Formed in 1997 at Birmingham’s Royal Birmingham Conservatoire by boundary-breaking fiddle player Joe Broughton (The Urban Folk Quartet, The Albion Band, Joss Stone), the Ensemble has become a national institution. Their live shows are huge in every sense – emotionally uplifting, musically adventurous, and physically massive, with a 50-piece lineup including 15 horns, 4 cellos, 6 percussionists, electric guitars, fiddles, flutes, clarinets, accordion, bass and more. It’s beautifully controlled chaos – and it works.

Expect a thrilling fusion of British and Celtic folk traditions with elements of rock, funk, jazz, ska, hip-hop, and rhythms from around the world – from Eastern European melodies to Afrobeat grooves. It’s a powerful celebration of musical diversity, performed with heart and flair by some of the UK’s most exciting young players.

This is more than a gig.
This is a 21st-century folk experience.
They call it Power Folk.