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Lady Maisery Return with their First Studio Album in Six Years
Uniquely captivating band Lady Maisery return with their first studio album in six years. The combined vocal and multi-instrumental talents of Hazel Askew, Hannah James and Rowan Rheingans (individually three of the most accomplished and adventurous artists in modern folk) transmute to form a unified voice, carrying stories of sisterhood, human...
Collaborative Maritime Collection from Leading Folk Luminaries Set for Release
‘Sea Song Sessions’ is a collection of British maritime folk songs and sea shanties, performed by a collective of some of British folk music’s leading lights: Jon Boden, Seth Lakeman, Ben Nicholls, Emily Portman & Jack Rutter. The concept for the album came to...
Blackbeard’s Tea Party ‘Kick The Curb’ Tour
Their bold and riotous modern folk rock is built for late nights and big stages. Hold on to your tri-corn hats and be prepared to stamp your wooden legs, Blackbeard’s Tea Party are in town. Sea-shanties will be given a bombastic rock edge, and folk instrumentals will...
Angeline Morrison Announces First Single from The Sorrow Songs ‘Unknown African Boy (d. 1830)’
The Sorrow Songs: Folk Songs of Black British Experience is the upcoming record by Cornwall-based folk singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Angeline Morrison, releasing on the historic Topic Records label. Produced by Eliza Carthy and featuring some of her...
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Jacob & Drinkwater ‘Waters of England 2’ Autumn Tour
Jacob & Drinkwater have come a long way since their first gig together in a tea tent at Glastonbury 2014; cementing their reputation as one of the most enthralling live acts on the scene. The duo of acoustic singer-songwriter Tobias ben Jacob and...
Eliza Carthy Celebrates 30 Years with New Album & Tour
Queen Of The Whirl is a celebration of thirty years of silliness and profundity; thirty years of music reimagined, from Billy Bragg to Peggy Seeger, from The Ratcatchers to Imagined Village, from bloody boots in Trafalgar Square to the moors of North Yorkshire, and...
Gilmore Roberts Celebratory Tour to Mark 10th Anniversary of Third Album
Contemporary folk/acoustic duo Gilmore & Roberts combine award-winning songwriting with astounding musicianship and their trademark harmonies to create a powerful wall of sound. Nominated three times at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards, Katriona Gilmore and Jamie...
REVIEWS
Roses – Jadea Kelly.
If you are a fan of contemporary folk music with a country tinge then this may be for you. Jadea (pronounced ‘Jay-Da’) is a Canadian former winner of the ‘Contemporary Singer Of The Year’ at the Canadian Folk Music Awards and it’s easy to see why. She splits her time between Ontario and Los Angeles and clearly both places have had their...
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Resilience – Songs of Uganda- Rachel Magoola.
Rachel Magoola released this album in a return to solo work after success with the legendary band Afrigo. Her music is inspired by Uganda's culture and history and this album is a delightful mix of Rachel’s versions of traditional Ugandan songs and her own...
To Have You Near – Hannah Rarity.
When you've been listening to music that though worthy fails to push your buttons, there's always a silver lining just round the corner and in this case she's called Hannah Rarity. Appropriate name there, indeed she is a rarity. I first came found her when Niteworks...
Rosewood – Ben Robertson.
Does exactly what it says on the can or in this case in the press release. Ben Robertson is a first class guitarist with hints of classical stylings about his efforts. His grounding is listening to the likes of John Renbourn and Davy Graham and there's nothing better...
FEATURES
Farewell Sandy.
William 'Sandy' Roberton was in many ways an unacknowledged pioneer, Simon Jones remembers and tips his hat to his legacy. Never given full credit for his work in the dawning days of the new genre folk rock, Sandy Roberton was nevertheless, there right in the mix alongside Joe Boyd when interested souls began to dabble mixing acoustic and...
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Making Progress.
Harry Styles, Ed Sheeran....Adele? Making your audience think, " we're not afraid to twist the knife." Simon Jones talks effective song writing with the good people of Milton Hide. Sunday night, just gone 8pm, over half way through my weekly two hours on the radio...
Time Span.
Technically 50 years old back in late 2019, celebrations had to be put on the back burner until that pesky Covid was largely dealt with. However with typical tenacity, Steeleye Span are once more out on the road, determined to party with their audience. Adjustments...
When Spriguns Come In.
Four and a half decades on albums of Spriguns and Mandy Morton have become cult favourites and hot items amongst the rarest record collecting fraternity. Some see on line sparring rise to four figure sums. With such diverting activity the actual story of the band and...
Brighter Days Ahead?
The history of British musicians finding their own voice and reflecting their own back yard in a contemporary manner is a fraught one. Few have done it with any success, Ray Davies, Alan Hull, Richard Thompson, Bob Pegg, Billy Bragg, Squeeze, Runrig, The Tansads/Merry...
FESTIVALS
Brighton and Hove Folk Festival Needs Your Help!!
Folkroom Records have launched a plea to save Brighton and Hove’s Folk Festival which is set to run on September 10th. The line-up includes folk legends like Martin & Eliza Carthy, to thrilling live acts like Gwenifer Raymond and Rachael Dadd and a wealth of local musicians including Bird in the Belly. However, unless just eighty more tickets...
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Return Of The Crop!
After a two-year hiatus, Fairport’s Cropredy Convention returns with a fantastic line-up (see below). The roster includes host band Fairport Convention, singer/songwriter Richard Thompson, Trevor Horn Band, Steve Hackett’s Genesis Revisited, the legendary Clannad, and...
Full Line Up for Cambridge Folk Festival Including Day Splits
Cambridge Folk Festival continues its tradition of hosting the biggest international stars in folk and roots music whilst also providing a platform for up and coming new artists and nurturing promising young talent. Returning in 2022 after a 2 year hiatus, headliners...
Indoor Festival of Folk Reveals Stellar Line Up at Cecil Sharp House
The “Indoor Festival of Folk” is a collaboration between folk/rock band The Magpie Arc and the English Folk Dance and Song Society and features a stellar line up of award-winning UK folk artists performing at Cecil Sharp House, Camden, London on Saturday the 3rd of...
The Den and Club Tent Line-ups Revealed for Cambridge Folk Festival
HOTTEST NEW ARTISTS IN FOLK AND ROOTS MUSIC CONFIRMED AS CAMBRIDGE CONTINUES ITS SUPPORT FOR NEW TALENT Cambridge Folk Festival has long been renowned for providing a platform for up and coming new artists and nurturing promising young talent. This commitment...
Underneath the Stars Festival Gender Balanced Music Line-Up
Underneath the Stars festival is leading the march for gender balance at festivals, announcing its final music line-up with a 50/50 artist split including an all-female headline bill, Imelda May (Friday), Kate Rusby (Saturday) and Suzanne Vega (Sunday). This year, the...
CAMBRIDGE FOLK FESTIVAL 2022 EXCITING ON-SITE ACTIVITIES ANNOUNCED
Whilst Cambridge Folk Festival* is celebrated for an eclectic mix of first-rate music across four stages, the exciting extra activities around the site help to create a fully immersive weekend experience and keep Festival-goers returning year after year. The Festival...