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Yet more restrictions
With new variants popping up all over the world it seems clear that we have to find a way to live with the virus. Obviously the first link in the chain is governments having the foresight to close borders to hotspots in a timely manner (like that’s going to happen).
These four extra weeks of restrictions are right when the festival sector should be shifting into high gear. Instead it’s cancellations and uncertainty.
REVIEWS
Reassembled – Bellowhead
Artists have always been creative, and the pandemic has led them down all kinds of paths to creatively generate income. Whether a first or not, ‘Reassembled’ is a recording of Bellowhead’s live streamed performance from Stabal Mansion in December 2020. Its 74 minutes and 17 tracks ticking the value for money box straightaway as well as it being a...
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Joe Bonamassa, Now Serving: Royal Tea Live From The Ryman, Provogue
Through adversity triumph tastes all the sweeter. Joe’s last studio album ‘Royal Tea’ had a tortuous road to completion and as the man himself said he felt almost ‘cursed’ as physical mishaps and the pandemic delayed all best laid plans. Despite these obstacles his...
The Missing Star – Lunatraktors
Described as 'alt-folk' there comes a point where the 'alt' bit becomes more current or progressive than alternative and 'The Missing Star' fits that definition in that it’s a good indicator of what is happening now in many folk circles. It contains a melange of...
Soo Line Loons/Geodesia – Luis Peixoto
Soo Line Loons, (loons as in diving birds, check your Observers Book of, other identification guides are available,) are a happily diverse crew of rockers who tip their hat to all kinds of roots music. The Soo Line bit of the name is apparently a Minneapolis railway...
NEWS
MILESTONE the new Album Release from Duncan Lyall
Milestone is the new album from composer/producer/multi-instrumentalist Duncan Lyall. A busy performer on the folk scene as bassist with Kate Rusby...
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Multi-Award Winning Talisk Announce New Single and Live Dates
You can’t keep a good band down – and TALISK are widely recognised as one hell of a band! Described by Glasgow Herald as ‘a rockin’ powerhouse’ Talisk are one of the most exciting acts on the UK folk scene, renowned for their innovative, show-stopping, high energy...
Trio Teases Launch of New Band with Run of Three Videos
Tarren (n.) Small Hill [Old English] Well now you know ?! Don't worry there won't be a written test at the end of this post, but I have a feeling it is not going to be a word you forget, after you've checked out what this new collaboration has to offer. Tarren is...
Award-Winning Festival Moves Outdoors for the Ultimate Underneath the Stars Experience
After a year out, award-winning family festival, Underneath the Stars, is set to return for its seventh year on Friday 30th July to Sunday 1st August bringing live music, performance arts and delicious dishes to the stunning rural setting of Cinderhill Farm, Barnsley....
FEATURES
Greg Hancock – His Sure Fingers
Comparisons with Al Stewart, John Martyn and a whole host of other acoustic troubadours along with a rave review for his latest recording, something's brewing in the far corners of Devon. Phil Thomas was dispatched to locate and question Greg Hancock. I recently had the pleasure to review Greg Hancock’s new album ‘Architecture and Archaeology’...
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Earworms For The Thinking Generation
With current circumstances you’d think that we’d be awash with decent social commentary and bands who’d want us all to think before we act. Merry Hell do great work but they could do with a hand. Enter Headsticks with C.O.W. the first album of 2021 to delve deeper in...
From Wandering Troubador to Scottish Laird
Born in Massechusetts in 1945, Marc Ellington lived an unusual life; to say he was a colourful character would not be an exaggeration. The early 1960s saw him as a fully paid up member of the American folk boom, singing with The Highwaymen in Oregon. By the middle of...
What do the four steps to lockdown lifting mean for gigs and festivals?
On the 22nd February the government announced its roadmap to lifting lockdown, with a potential complete lifting of restrictions for theatres, venues and large outside events by late June - so we seem to be on course to be enjoying gigs and festivals across the summer...
When You Can’t See The Wood For The Trees
Mysterious and enigmatic the music of Trees has historically been hard to find and expensive, yet has become the stuff of legend. A new 50th Anniversary box set from Earth Records, creatively titled ‘Trees,’ collects everything worth hearing by this iconic band. Folk...
THIS WEEKS CHARTS
FOLK
Sure to keep the 'what constitutes a folk album' debate going. Flyte at No1 with This Is Really Going To Hurt
Americana
The Black Keys stand at the top of the Americana and Blues charts this week with Delta Kream
Jazz & Blues
FESTIVALS
Award-Winning Festival Moves Outdoors for the Ultimate Underneath the Stars Experience
After a year out, award-winning family festival, Underneath the Stars, is set to return for its seventh year on Friday 30th July to Sunday 1st August bringing live music, performance arts and delicious dishes to the stunning rural setting of Cinderhill Farm, Barnsley. To keep within Covid guidelines, festival goers can enjoy the event as the...
All Festivals
The Association of Festival Organisers react to the extension of restrictions
The 'Delta Variant' has resulted in the government extending restristions for another four weeks, which is exactly the time frame where the festival season should be cracking into full swing. The AFO have summed up the situation well in their latest press release:...
Brighton and Hove Folk Festival is on this September
Originally planned for summer last year, The first Brighton and Hove Folk Festival will finally be going ahead on September 11th 2021. A timely addition to the folk festival circuit, this one-day event will be run by established local promoters Folkroom, with renowned...
Hundreds of Free Events Planned to Celebrate Make Music Day on 21 June
Make Music Day is a global celebration of music that takes place in 125 countries on 21 June every year. The concept, which originates from France’s Fête de la Musique, started in 1982, and now involves two thirds of the population of France. The event traditionally...
Lights – Music – Action! – FolkEast returns this Summer !
With the biggest easing of COVID restrictions about to go ahead, and the roadmap out of lockdown on target, England’s most easterly folk festival, FolkEast, has confirmed it is on course to return this August – with weekend tickets now on sale. Last summer FolkEast...
‘Virtually’ Orkney Folk Festival Digital Plans Announced for May 27-30
An international bill of leading folk artists from Scotland, England, Norway, Denmark and Canada will feature as part of this year’s online Orkney Folk Festival - alongside a number of newly commissioned performances from homegrown Orcadian artists. Dubbed the...
Boomtown Fair forced to postpone in face of Government intransigence
Owing to the lack of a Government backed COVID specific insurance scheme to provide a vital safety net to events this summer, the organisers of Boomtown Fair have come to the difficult decision to no longer go ahead in 2021. Rumours and speculation about vaccination...
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