Better Late Than Never: The Dovetail Trio at Village Folk, Chellaston, Derbyshire – May 2017
Ahoy! Circumstances all over the place and a packed schedule of festivals has meant that I am on the folk treadmill to returning to writing about the music I love. I am not very far along it yet, but one event I wanted to talk about prior to the last festival I attended is the […]
Steamchicken @ The Bury Met – 11 Mar – Album Launch
Steamchicken is a universally fun and energetic band boasting shamelessly soulful vocals and a catchy, booming brass-line. Chocks away! Somewhere between a smoky jazz outfit and a blues brass extravaganza, “Steamchicken” are a group who set out to entertain, and do so in spades. Much like the wise, old traveller from a Western or the […]
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 […]
The Shahnameh “vibrant and colourful with ancient intrigue” – Derby Folk Festival 2016
Title: The Shahnameh: The Epic Book of Kings Company: Adverse Camber http://www.adversecamber.org/ Producer: Naomi Wilds Arts Council England It is Friday 30 September and the first night of the Derby Folk Festival 2016. The marquee is up, the rain is generally holding off and the crowds are just forming. With the choice that there is I […]
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: Madison Violet
Madison Violet “light Americana which grabs and appeals across the board” Starting off the South Yorkshire Folk, Roots, and World Festival there was the incredibly talented duo of “Madison Violet”. Madison Violet consists of Brenley MachEachern and Lisa MacIsaac, two great robust names and musical artists with a sound I am going to describe as […]