Harp and a Monkey @ Village Folk – 25th February

Once again I was released from the steel gates of Sheffield and able to descend the long-winding roads to Derbyshire. There I went to see the latest artist “Harp and a Monkey” to perform for a throng of rapt Derbyshire people at the “Village Folk” session in the The Lawns Hotel, Chellaston. Continuing to draw crowds […]
Merrymaker at Village Folk, Chellaston 28th January 2017

During a brief hiatus to the excessively cold weather last month, I had the pleasure of heading down to Chellaston in Derbyshire for a gig at the Lawns Hotel to see Merrymaker. High over the street like a small fortress on top of a rocky outcrop; the Lawns Hotel is indeed a hotel (and pub) […]
Show of Hands w/Megan Henwood Live @ Royal Northern College, Manchester

I am happy on this Wednesday in November…. I am in Manchester. Christmas stalls are up, but it is not that seasonal treat that interests me. It is instead the chance to catch a music group, a well-established roots band that is characterised by many years of playing and writing. I am talking of course […]
Adverse Camber- Fire in the North Sky at The Crucible Studio, Sheffield 11/10/16

For one night only the Studio space of the Crucible was turned into a a kaleidoscope of story, wonder and history with a combined storytelling and musical performance of “Fire in the North Sky” by Adverse Camber. There were birds, bears, men forging with gold and silver, and other incredible creations told and performed from […]
Derby Folk Festival 2016 – Some of the Happenings – Megapost

Hi all. Derby Folk Festival has been a really good event, I have seen some great acts over the three folk-filled days and wanted to give a rundown of the bands that have come on to my radar since the weekend. There were many big names, there were some energetic new acts and a variety […]
South Yorkshire FRW Music Festival – Sep 2016: Gilmore and Roberts

Folk tales done somewhat contemporary with audacious combination of source material, rhythm and wonder. In Doncaster the day turned to night, the amber lights came on and Gilmore and Roberts came out, though vampires I am sure they are not. On their 10th year working together Katriona Gilmore and Jamie Roberts are going strong, as […]
South Yorkshire FRW Music Festival – Sep 2016: Said The Maiden
Authentic energy brought to dark, traditional numbers and original work. http://www.saidthemaiden.co.uk/ Admittedly one of the two acts that drew me to the the new festival in Doncaster (South Yorkshire Folk, Roots and World) at the Leopard, “Said the Maiden” fantastic in name, and beginning to flourish in notability. They are like a group on their way […]
South Yorkshire FRW Music Festival – Sep 2016: Lucy Marshall

Later in the day I was able to catch Lucy Marshall, a Hull-based acoustic artist with three EPs and experience of touring across festivals such as Cambridge Rock and Blues, and Cornucopia, her website is very nice indeed I am totally jealous http://www.lucymarshallsings.com/. She was playing in the 1st floor room of the The Leopard pub, […]
The Silver Darlings: Watermark- Single Launch in Sheffield (review)

A band with fire enjoying their musical influences without putting themselves in a box I recently had the pleasure of attending the single launch with The Silver Darlings, a Sheffield-based indie-folk group at The Heeley Institute (Sheffield) and was more than pleasantly surprised. The Silver Darlings are part of Ankle Breka Records, a growing independent […]
Steamchicken@Shakespeares “A dynamic, captivating performance that stays in the mind”

Shakespeares’ Pub, Sheffield 2 April 2016 These chickens can play, in a dynamic, captivating performance that stays in the mind I have recently had the good fortune to be very pleasantly surprised at a local gig in Sheffield; I scoured the ‘net looking for something I’d not heard of and the name “Steamchicken” leapt out […]