The organisers are pleased to announce that they have confirmed the first of many artists for Folklore’s Main Stage, the internationally renowned blues and folk artist Joan Armatrading.
With 19 albums to her name since her 1972 debut LP Whatever’s For Us, (and a new one due out in 2012) Joan Armatrading (MBE)’s career has been long, prolific and incredibly decorated. She holds the distinction of being the first UK female artist to enter the US Billboard Blues Chart at Number One, with 2007’s Into The Blues, and has numerous awards wins and nominations. She has been nominated three times for a Grammy, picking up a nod for the Grammy Blues category in 2007 – the first UK female artist to do so. She has also twice been nominated for a Best Female Artist Brit Award, won an Ivor Novello for Outstanding Contemporary Song Collection in 1996, and a much-coveted Gold Badge Award. Not to mention the numerous platinum, gold and silver discs to her name.
As well as her plentiful accolades, Armatrading can boast of having worked with some of the most important musicians in living memory, including Mark Knopfler, Steve Lillywhite and members of The Police, Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band, Fairport Convention. She has performed twice for Nelson Mandela, including for his historic 70th birthday concert at Wembley Stadium. As the first female UK artist to achieve mainstream international success, she truly is one of Britain’s very finest national treasures.
Having performed in Jersey to a sold out Opera House audience for three consecutive nights in 2008, it’s clear that she has a firm fan base already in the island, and that her return will be warmly welcomed. 2012 is set to be a big year for the artist, with a new album on the way and a huge world tour planned for later in the year. Her international standing, huge back catalogue and uplifting blend of blues, folk and pop make her the perfect first addition to the FOLKLORE line up.
