In a new move, Bristol Folk Festival is to present Brit-nominated singer songwriter Newton Faulkner at the city’s O2 Academy as part of its three-day May Bank Holiday event.

The Festival, which returned to the city last year after 32 years, has staged all its events at the Colston Hall to date. But a new diversion this year will see the busy Colston programme augmented with events at the O2 Academy, with Faulkner as the flagship act on Saturday, May 5.

Surrey-born Faulkner, with his trademark red dreadlocks, shot to prominence in 2007 when his debut album Hand Built by Robots rocketed up the charts to No 1 and went double platinum in the UK, triggering singles “Dream Catch Me” and “Teardrop” (a cover of the Massive Attack track). The Sun commented: “His guitar gymnastics and extraordinary vocal range mark him out as one of 2007s hottest properties.” 

The singer-songwriter and acoustic guitar virtuoso, known for his percussive style, crosses a number of genres from folk to blues, soul and country. Hailed by many as “the British Jack Johnson” he has sold over 1 million albums in the UK and performed at numerous key festivals from the Isle of Wight to Glastonbury, V Festival to Latitude and Beautiful Days to T in the Park.

Having toured the USA and before starting to record his second album, Faulkner dislocated his right hand but with the aid of nine pins and a metal plate in his wrist he got back to the studio to make the aptly named Rebuilt by Humans.

Faulkner will embark on an eagerly awaited UK tour in April and May ahead of his third album release.

Bristol Folk Festival is this year being co-organised by the new Bristol Music Trust and local music promoter, Jan Ayers. Says Jan: “We are delighted to be presenting an artist of Newton’s calibre as part of the 2012 festival and broadening the event’s platforms to include the Academy.”

 Faulkner will be supported by artists including singer-songwriter Jake Morley whose innovative songs and unusual style of “lap tapping” guitar playing has gained him plaudits from fans and critics alike. His debut album Many Fish To Fry was released last year on his own label while his debut single 'Feet Don't Fail Me Now' was played on Dermot O’Leary, Janice Long and Jo Whiley’s BBC Radio 2 shows. See video of Jake performing here "Great real life lyrics and superb virtuoso playing.Extraordinary"! -Tom Robinson, 6 music about Jake Morley.

Tickets for Bristol Folk Festival’s 7.30pm Newton Faulkner show will be by separate ticket, price £16, available from Ticket Web

The much anticipated 2nd Bristol Festival will be buzzing over the early May Bank Holiday (May 5-7). In addition to headliners Show of Hands, Cara Dillon and Afro Celt Sound System, those already announced include Scotland’s Karine Polwart and Rua Macmillan Trio along with Cornwall’s effervescent 3 Daft Monkeys and BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards “Best Newcomer”, Lucy Ward .

Top value 3-day weekend tickets are now available price £80 (concessions £70) whilst family tickets are £250 (2 adults and two children aged 5-15).Under 5s go free. Tickets here