W: Paula Murphy

In an era of digital gloss and overproduced pop, Birmingham-born, Chichester-based artist Bennie Hayfield is offering a much-needed palate cleanser. Having spent years fronting the Sussex rock band Saiphon, Hayfield has traded the high-octane energy of a full ensemble for something far more intimate: a guitar, a harmonica, and a story to tell. It is a transition from the loud to the local, finding a "barebones" beauty in the "honesty" of a song that has nowhere to hide.

"I am really fond of the raw, imperfect sound of some old Americana folk. I write songs I’d personally like to listen to."

For those encountering Hayfield for the first time, his music evokes the dust of the railroad and the amber glow of a British sunset. It is folk music in its truest sense—unfiltered and unapologetic. His songs often explore the human condition, specifically the feeling of wanting more out of life without being able to put a finger on what "more" actually looks like. It’s a relatable, universal yearning that he captures through a lens of "simplicity," preferring to let the emotion breathe rather than smothering it in production.

His latest single, ‘Part of the Game’, signals a sharp, political turn in his songwriting. Written in a stream-of-consciousness style, the track is a fast-paced, "finger-pointy" protest song that captures the frustration of the everyman. Hayfield describes the track as a musical tableau, depicting a town of ordinary people caught in a rigged political game. It is a work of fiction grounded in very real emotions—a testament to his ability to blend narrative storytelling with raw, rhythmic energy.

"‘Part of the Game’ is one of the angrier, more finger-pointy songs from my catalogue. It’s fast-paced and fuelled by frustration."

Despite the weight of his lyrics, Hayfield remains refreshingly grounded. You won't find any diva demands in his dressing room; his pre-show ritual consists of nothing more than a glass of water and a quick check of his harmonicas. He admits his greatest weakness is his own ambition—writing so many lyrics that he occasionally struggles to remember them all—but this abundance of ideas is exactly what is driving his prolific output.

The journey to becoming a solo artist wasn't without its obstacles. Stepping away from the safety net of a band to perform alone is a "nerve-wracking" experience, yet Hayfield maintains that the only way to overcome the fear is to face it head-on. Now, with total creative autonomy, he is entering his most productive era yet.

"These songs were written from the perspective of wanting more out of life, but sometimes not knowing exactly what that is."

With 2026 set to be a landmark year, fans can expect a steady stream of new material as his current singles blossom into a much larger project. Drawing on a diverse range of influences—from the narrative wit of Tim Minchin to the haunting grit of Bruce Springsteen’s Nebraska—Bennie Hayfield is carving out a unique space in the UK music landscape. He isn't just playing folk music; he's living it.