Emily Portman + Rachel Newton + Lucy Farrell

Seemingly a big fan of Margaret Atwood and Carol Ann Duffy, harp and viola-backed folk darling Portman is fascinated by the dark feminine places at the heart of fairytales, though her shy, school girlish delivery won't suit all tastes. She's best and boldest when writing honestly about her own feelings – 'Little Longing', her meditation on the idea of motherhood, is soul-baringly bittersweet. Plus Newton of Scottish folk, Gaelic song and bluegrass band The Shee, and Portman's fellow Folk Awards nominee Farrell.