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Gigs, Fests, Pubs?
So the Government announcement on 22 Feb has given us a loose timetable for the reopening of indoor venues, outdoor events and the pub. Not that we’re counting the days or anything.
When does indoor entertainment open?*
Day(s)
:
Hour(s)
:
Minute(s)
:
Second(s)
and the pub!
REVIEWS
First Farewell – Peggy Seeger
Anyone familiar with Peggy Seeger's life will know that she's an irrepressible tour de force of an artist. So, no surprises for fans when the album rumoured as her last arrives with a touch of irony in its title, 'First Farewell'. It's Seeger's 24th solo album in a career that has continued with songwriting and performing into her 80's....
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Live At The Bonington Theatre, Nottingham. 1991 – Iain Matthews With Andy Roberts/ Fake Tan – Iain Matthews & The Salmon Smokers.
Mark my words dear reader, there will come a year when Iain Matthews releases only one album, 2021 isn’t it though. Until then he keeps up his prodigious output with each new or archive release holding a charm all its own. As many as he produces I don’t believe he’s...
A Maid In Bremen – The John Renbourn Group
Unearthed by MIG- Made In Germany- this album may have a groan inducing title but the contents from a 1978 radio broadcast more than justifies the archaeology. Just what was it with maids? The Smart Alecs among you will know this crew had already named one album after...
A Pocket Full Of Acorns – Ninebarrow
The new album from Jon Whitley and Jay LaBouchardiere marks an interesting stage in their journey as Ninebarrow. The enforced isolation of lockdown has encouraged self reflection for many of us, whether by purpose or not. Jon and Jay had a stark realisation of the...
NEWS
Canadian Singer-Songwriter Delivers New Career Statement With ‘My Name is Suzie Ungerleider’.
Two-time Canadian Juno Award nominee Suzie Ungerleider officially opens a new chapter of her already distinguished and highly successful career with...
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Paul Hutchinson Records Album of Compositions During Lockdown
A member of the much-loved duo Belshazzar’s Feast, Paul Hutchinson has 20 years of touring in the UK, He is regarded as one of the top accordionists in the country because of his unique, refreshing, and at times ‘classical’ approach to playing. For Paul, the March...
Suthering Announce their Arrival by Releasing new Single Gather
If the interweaved vocals, pure harmonies, and plaintive piano of new single ‘Gather' from Devon-based folk-duo Suthering ring some familiar bells, it is because those voices belong to acclaimed composers, choir leaders, and songwriters Julu Irvine and Heg...
All Aboard for Special Skerryvore Livestream from Edinburgh’s Exclusive Floating Hotel Fingal
Multi-award-winning band Skerryvore have announced a special livestream show to be broadcast from Edinburgh’s exclusive floating hotel, Fingal on Saturday 24 April 2021 – and tickets went on sale at 9am today, Friday 2 April. Skerryvore Onboard will see the...
FEATURES
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 the decade though as the folk boom wound down and Vietnam War draft threatened...
All Features
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...
Shiny Things, The Magpie Arc bring back sunnier times
Just when you were thinking these strange times had wiped out all the decent things about music, along come a band to flip your wig. The Magpie Arc are exactly what’s needed to bring back sunnier days. Simon Jones checks out their fine feathers. “Alex is the biggest...
Robert Jon: Wreckless!
With a terrific new album ‘Last Light on the Highway’ ROBERT JON & THE WRECK have realised their potential and left rivals to the Southern Roots Rock crown in their slipstream. On the line from California ROBERT JON BURRISON talks to Lyndon Noon about his latest...
THIS WEEKS CHARTS
FOLK
Good Woman is at Number 1 for The Staves. It's been in the Americana chart for weeks as well.
Americana
The really rather good Evermore by Taylor Swift dominates the chart
Jazz & Blues
Freedom Fables from London nine piece Nubiyan Twist at number 6, a slice of excellence
FESTIVALS
Shrewsbury Folk Festival gains from second round of Government’s Culture Recovery Fund
Shrewsbury Folk Festival has received a grant of £45,256 from the Government’s £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund to help organisers plan and deliver its four-day event this August Bank Holiday weekend. The press release reads: More than £300 million has been awarded to thousands of cultural organisations across the country including Shrewsbury,...
All Festivals
“If all the world’s a stage” …. As You Like It Festival
If all the world’s a stage and the men and women are merely players, then there are plenty of players for the stage at the unique 'As you like it' Festival being held in Stratford-upon-Avon from 26th to 30th July this year. Following the postponement of Costa del...
Top Scottish and International Folk Talent to Feature at new Online Folk Festival
Some of the most renowned names in Scottish folk music will return to the stage this weekend, February 26-28, as part of CCM Live - a brand new, three-day event being broadcast live from Glasgow. The festival’s bumper line-up features Blazin’ Fiddles, Talisk, Siobhan...
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...
Folk on Foot Signs Top Artists for Valentines ‘Festival of LOVE’
In these dark and challenging times, we all need love. And the award-winning podcast Folk on Foot has signed up over twenty of the UK and Ireland’s leading folk artists to provide it on Valentine’s Day (Sunday February 14th 2021). For the Folk on Foot Festival of...
Celtic Connections 2021, the digital one…
Celtic Connections 2021 has drawn to a close, and the organisers have issued this press release: With audiences from over 60 countries and over 27,000 tickets and passes sold, the first ever digital Celtic Connections has been a huge success. Over 10.5 million minutes...
The AFO virtual conference 2021
The Association of Festival Orgnisers annual conference generally takes place over a weekend in November. Obviously that kind of face to face social interaction is a thing of the past, so it is now coming to you on Saturday 20 February 2021 from 10am to 10pm as an...
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