Frankie Insley: The Power of Queer Folk Spaces

Frankie Insley is a multi instrumentalist based in Newcastle who has a deep love for the one-row melodeon and fiddle. After discovering folk through Morris dancing as a teenager, and completing the Newcastle University Folk Music Degree, she has become a passionate advocate for the joy of folk.

Frankie is an absolute force for community folk music and dance. She is the founder of DIY Ceilidh, a chaotic, joyful and hugely popular monthly ceilidh series that is volunteer-run and queer friendly. 

When she’s not calling ceilidhs she is also heavily involved with Newcastle’s punk scene, performing in her band Bitchfinder General. She also performs with the Newcastle drone folk collective Powtes. 

Frankie will be guest tutoring alongside Mel and Lucy Huzzard on the inaugural Folk Unbound: The Gathering folk music summer camp for women and marginalised gender musicians looking to gain confidence and explore group music making in a celebratory way.

Frankie's Links

Instagram | YouTube

Join my PATREON for extended episodes, guest tutor Melinar tutorials & learning resource archive:

www.patreon.com/melbiggsmusic

Learn melodeon with Mel at The Stables, Milton Keynes June 28th 2025:

https://stables.org/workshops

Apply to join Folk Unbound: The Gathering 14-18th July 2025

www.melbiggsmusic.co.uk/folkunbound

Mel's workshop/session/concert at Birmingham Accordion Centre 5th July:

https://melbiggsmusic.co.uk/calendar

Visit my website for on demand classes, courses, live dates, merch & more:

www.melbiggsmusic.co.uk

Intro & outro music:

'Dream Big' by Mel Biggs. All rights reserved.

Listen to the full track on my album 'From Darkness Comes Light':

www.melbiggsmusic.bandcamp.com

Get in touch: chatterbox@melbiggsmusic.co.uk

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