FOLK singer Kate Rusby will be making an emotional homecoming as part of Barnsley Folk Festival.

The Mercury Music Prize nominee from Penistone will perform at the Civic on Friday May 29.

Kate’s journey into music began at the same venue four decades ago.

She said: “Forty years ago I was inspired to be an actual singer, I was 12.

“In the old Civic, at Barnsley Folk Festival, there I was in the dark sat beside my dad, who was sound engineer for that concert.

“I was captivated by Barnsley’s own Dave Burland.

“I remember the moment, thinking to myself how lovely and amazing that would be to sing to people like that, tell stories, make people laugh and move people to tears, all through music.

“I had been brought up with folk music of course, but also listened to anything and everything I could get my hands on via the incredible Barnsley Library music department, I had learnt to play fiddle and chords on the guitar, worked out chords on the piano, but that was ‘the moment’.”

Kate has had a long career in music and continues to successfully record and tour.

She added: “All these years later, 34 years in the music industry, I am lucky enough to tour the world but always it remains Barnsley in my blood, Barnsley in my brain, born to be an advocate of all things Barnsley.

“I am now a very proud Freeman of the Borough, all due to music and that moment.

“I cannot wait to take to the Civic’s stage myself 40 years after that ‘light bulb moment’, so it’s a full circle complete.”

Kate will be supported by local act Eletto.

Tickets are available from the Civic.

More music and dance is scheduled for Saturday and Sunday.