The Christian Raphael Prize
The Christian Raphael Prize was established in 2018 by Cambridge Folk Festival, Christian Raphael and his family. The prize provides the opportunity for an up-and-coming folk act to progress their career to the next level. Now in its sixth year, the prize has gone from strength to strength.
The winner of the prize receives a financial contribution of £300 per month over the following year to help them with their career. The winner is guaranteed a spot on Stage 3 at the following Festival plus is able to benefit from PR advice from roots publicist Richard Wootton. The runner up receives £250.
About Christian
Christian Raphael MBE has been attending Cambridge Folk Festival since his childhood. His decision to create this Prize Fund shows his commitment to helping us develop the next generation of Festival headliners.
Previous Winners
2018 - Mishra
In 2018, Mishra (Kate Griffin and Ford Collier), a global folk collective, were crowned the first winners of the prize. Since winning the prize, Mishra have received critical acclaim in Songlines and Mojo and airplay on BBC Radio 2 for their albums The Loft Tapes and Reclaim.
For details of upcoming gigs, please visit: mishramusic.co.uk
The runner up was Bella Collins.
2019 - Katherine Priddy
In 2019, Katherine Priddy, singer songwriter and acoustic guitar player, was the second winner of the prize. After winning the prize, Katherine released her debut album, The Eternal Rocks Beneath, in 2021. This reached no. 1 in the Official UK Folk Charts. Katherine has since performed globally and released her second album, Pendulum Swings in 2024, again reaching no. 1 in the Official UK Folk Charts and receiving great critical acclaim.
For upcoming gigs, please visit katherinepriddy.co.uk
The runner up was Copper Viper.
2020
The Christian Raphael Prize took a break in 2020 due to the pandemic.
2021 - Nick Hart
In 2021, the third winner was Nick Hart, a singer and multi-instrumentalist. After winning his prize, Nick released his third album in 2022, Nick Hart Sings Ten English Folk Songs which was named Folk Album of the Month by The Guardian. In 2024 Nick was leading the revival of the ballad through his Bristol Ballad School, delving into the history of folk music and helping students to explore the techniques to communicate the nuances of a narrative folk song.
For details of upcoming gigs, please visit: nickhartmusic.com
The runner up was Cynefin.
2022 - Angeline Morrison
By 2022, the Christian Raphael prize had become one of the most significant competitions throughout the country, for key emerging talent in this genre of music.
In 2022, the fourth winner was Angeline Morrison, a singer-songwriter. After winning the prize, Angeline's album The Sorrow Songs: Folk Songs of Black British Experience was named Folk album of the Year in The Guardian. Angeline then went on to perform at Festivals throughout the UK and appear on BBC 2’s Later with Jools Holland, performing Unknown African Boy (d.1830).
Visit angelinemorrisonmusic.com for details of Angeline's upcoming gigs.
The runner up was Ceitidh Mac.
2023 - Frankie Archer
2023 saw singer-songwriter Frankie Archer announced as the most recent winner of the Christian Raphael prize, since the winning moment Frankie has been touring the UK, building on her burgeoning reputation. In October 2023 she performed on Later with Jools Holland singing her song Oxford City. Following the release of her debut EP Never So Red in November 2023, she has supported the likes of Futureheads and The Last Dinner Party.
On winning the 2023 Christian Raphael Prize Frankie said: “Performing for the first time at Cambridge Folk Festival was very special; I’m still glowing from the wonderful connection with the audience. On top of that, to have been nominated and to have won the Christian Raphael Prize, it’s incredible news, and I’m really grateful to Christian, his family and the rest of the panel who believe in me and my music. I’ve been working hard to share my music with people, so this support is very welcome, and I’m sure it will lead to exciting things!”
Visit frankiearchermusic.com for the latest news of Frankie’s upcoming gigs.
The runner up was Amy Papiransky
2024 - The Deep Blue
The Deep Blue are now the sixth recipient of one of the most significant competitions throughout the country for key emerging talent in this genre of music.
An indie-folk, all-female band from Manchester and beyond, they came together in 2021. Praised for being quietly outspoken, with an air of rebelliousness and punk attitude fused with hypnotically beautiful harmonies and intertwined instrumentations, their lyrics are always deeply personal; ranging from small, detailed vignettes and musings to anthemic calls to arms, with strong elements of storytelling.
Delighted at winning the prize, The Deep Blue said: ‘We are absolutely over the moon to have been awarded the Christian Raphael prize! It means so much to us to have the support of Christian and his family, and the wonderful Cambridge Folk Festival. Their help for new artists navigating their way through a difficult industry is essential and amazingly generous. We can’t wait to get cracking! We’ll be using the support to tackle our new release, enhance our live performance and get our music to new ears!’
The Deep Blue are Georgia, Niamh, Katie and Sophie. Hailing from Scotland, Republic of Ireland, England and Wales respectively.
The runner up was Tricia Collins
‘Over the last 6 years it’s been wonderful to watch each artist grow in their career. As a family it’s brings us so much happiness that the Christian Raphael Prize has helped these talented musicians create stunning music and do amazing things, and long may that continue’
Cambridge Folk Festival would like to thank Christian Raphael MBE and his family for generously supporting this hugely significant prize, also both The BBC Radio 2 Folk Show with Mark Radcliffe and Richard Wootton for their very helpful involvement.
