From ‘hanging around’ Rockers and putting on Brum’s first-ever Acid House night… it’s been some musical journey for Carl Phillips, the co-founder and co-director of Moseley Folk and Arts Festival, which this year celebrates its 20th anniversary

BEEN THERE, DONE THAT

I was always interested in Birmingham music. I used to hang around Rockers on Hurst Street, and then got onto club promoting through their influence really. I put on the first Acid House night in Brum in ’88 and ended up as a club promoter at the Custard Factory and the Que Club. Gerv Havill, the Moseley Folk co-director, printed my flyers – that’s how we met. I did the marquee for L’Esprit Manouche Festival in Moseley Park (2004-05). When I found out it wasn’t going to be on anymore, I had this sense of it being a big loss, and I had a thought – wouldn’t it be great to have a folk festival in Moseley Park? Bands like Pentangle, but also some of the newer acts who were being influenced by folk, like Tunng, Jane Weaver. I mentioned to Gerv that I’d got permission to do a festival in the park, and he said he wanted to get involved, so we went from there – a silly idea that’s turned into one of best ideas I’ve ever had.

IT’S WHAT I DO

My role has evolved as we’ve gone from a tiny little stage under a gazebo to something that draws people from all over the world. My side is more about the logistics of building the festival site. Gerv and John Fell, the Festival manager, get everything booked in, the concessions, health and safety, ticketing. All three of us work on line-ups together.

BIGGEST SUCCESS

It’s Moseley Folk and Mostly Jazz Funk and Soul Festival – which we also do. I’ve been in a lot of bands, done a lot of things, academically at school I didn’t do well, but I loved music. It’s crazy to think I’ve made a living out of what I love – it never feels like work.

WHAT I’D LIKE TO SEE

The acts we’ve had, some are my heroes. You get to meet all these people, like Graham Nash, and it can be a very emotional thing. So, my ambition’s done in many ways. It’s more about carrying on bringing world-leading artists to a concert in the most magical setting.

WHAT I LIKE ABOUT BRUM

I think the multi-culturalism of the city has been always been great, especially in Moseley. It’s always been a massive, magical melting pot. It’s the bohemian capital of Birmingham, isn’t it?

DOWNTIME

I take up lots of past-times and get bored with them quickly. I’ve done wood carving, metal detecting – long bow archery is my latest one! I also like history, medieval England…

FINALLY…

I am so proud of the whole Moseley Folk thing, and we’ve got a great close-knit team that works so hard to make sure it goes off every year. So, I’d like to thank everyone who’s helped me to do this thing that’s become so great – this silly idea that’s become something bigger.