Sam Sweeney

Sam Sweeney is one of the UK’s most captivating and innovative folk musicians. A master of the English fiddle, he is known for his deeply emotive playing, bold compositional voice, and a career that has consistently pushed the boundaries of traditional music.

After rising to prominence as a member of the award-winning Bellowhead, Sam went on to forge a distinctive solo path. His albums — The Unfinished Violin, Unearth Repeat, and Escape That — have received widespread acclaim for their emotional depth and inventive approach. His most recent release, Escape That, saw Sam compose entirely away from the fiddle, later translating his ideas into rich, fiddle-led soundscapes that blur the lines between folk, classical and electronic music.

“The fiddler with the Midas touch… an English equivalent of the great Irish fiddle player Martin Hayes.” — The Guardian

“Sweeney’s playing is unearthly at times… an outstanding and deeply moving experience.” — Songlines

Sam is also a founding member of the acclaimed trio Leveret, a group known for its intimate, conversational approach to traditional tunes, and for the spontaneity of its live performances. He has collaborated widely with artists such as Eliza Carthy, Fay Hield, The Full English, Jon Boden, and many others — always bringing sensitivity, clarity, and invention to the music.

In addition to his performance career, Sam is a dedicated educator and was the inaugural Artistic Director of the National Youth Folk Ensemble, where he helped shape a new generation of English folk musicians. His commitment to sharing and evolving the tradition is a defining part of his work.

“One of the defining English fiddle players of his generation.” — Mark Radcliffe, BBC Radio 2

Whether on stage, in the studio, or in a workshop, Sam Sweeney continues to redefine what English folk music can be — grounded in history, alive in the present, and open to the future.