Beans on Toast

Essex-born folk singer Beans on Toast has been writing songs, touring the world, and telling stories for nearly two decades. A Glastonbury institution, he’s played the festival every year since 2007, along with countless others across the globe, from major events to tiny grassroots gatherings. When he’s not at a festival, he’s on the road, playing packed-out venues across Europe, Australia, America, and beyond. His music is a celebration of life and the human spirit—simple songs about big ideas, packed with warmth, wit, and an unshakable sense of hope.

Beans on Toast has released a new album on his birthday, December 1st, every year since 2009. Each record is made with a different producer and a fresh set of musicians, giving every release its own distinct flavor. He’s worked with the likes of Ben Lovett (Mumford & Sons), Frank Turner, Blaine Harrison (Mystery Jets), Kitty and Lewis Durham (Kitty, Daisy & Lewis), and many more. The result? A sprawling and ever-evolving discography that documents the world as he sees it—whether that’s tackling politics and the environment, singing love songs to his wife, or toasting the simple joys of a night at the pub.

But Beans isn’t just about songs—he’s also put his stories onto the page. His books Drunk Folk Stories (2018) and Foolhardy Folk Tales (2021) offer a hilarious and heartfelt look at life on the road, filled with festival antics, tour adventures, and musical mischief. He’s also stepped into the world of children’s books with The Fascinating Adventures of Little Bee, a ten-part series that sees a curious little bee travel the world, learning about nature, kindness, and the joy of discovery.

Beyond his own music, he also curates Foolhardy Folk Festival, a one-day celebration of music, trees, and revelry held every August in Nottingham Arboretum. Inviting a mix of old friends and new favourites, the festival brings together an eclectic lineup of artists in a beautiful outdoor setting, capturing the same community spirit and DIY ethos that Beans on Toast has championed throughout his career.

His live shows are legendary—whether he’s leading a packed festival field in a singalong or playing an intimate backroom gig, they’re always full of heart, humour, and connection. A wild night with an old friend, where the songs are honest, the laughs are plenty, and the good times roll. Nearly 20 years in, he’s still doing things his way, proving that folk music, at its core, is about bringing people together and sharing something real.