We love our blissful afternoon sets at Folk by the Oak, and always strive to bring you something truly enthralling, music to envelope and transport you. With her crystalline voice and exquisite songwriting Olivia Chaney promises just such an experience when she takes to our Main Stage in July.

Born in Florence to a writer and painter-turned-academic, Olivia grew up with an eclectic musical diet ranging from Prince to Joni Mitchell to Henry Purcell, sparking a passion for songwriting later nurtured at Chetham’s School of Music and The Royal Academy, a schooling that is evident in her elegant arrangements and superb vocal talents, beautifully complementing her natural, intuitive musicality.

After showcasing at SXSW and a stint as lead singer for electronica outfit Zero 7, Olivia signed with Nonesuch, leading to collaborations with Kronos Quartet and a Grammy nomination for Offa Rex, a collection of Fairport Convention-era classics made with The Decemberists. Olivia’s first two solo studio albums, The Longest River and Shelter, established her reputation as the author of luscious and sophisticated music that explores inherited trauma, the clash of tradition and modernity, and the paradoxes of love.

Following her EP Six French Songs (2023), bringing together ballads from medieval crusader dirge to 60s pop classic Tous les garçons, Olivia’s much anticipated third studio album Circus of Desire was released in 2024. Worked up over five eventful years, this collection of lovingly wrought songs really caught our attention. Recorded with long-time collaborator, producer and musician Thomas Bartlett and featuring an all-star line-up of friends old and new, including Sam Amidon, Nico Muhly and remixes by Dave Okumu, Oliver Coates and Vessel, Circus of Desire is Olivia set free.

Olivia is currently garnering much deserved mass exposure thanks to her latest single Dark Eyed Sailor – recorded with producer Oli Deakin (CMAT) – featuring in the new Wuthering Heights film. Joined on our Main Stage by Owen Spafford on violin, we so look forward to sharing Olivia’s incredible talent and simply enchanting voice with you this summer.