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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
Calla Lily – The Brother Brothers
As the history of music shows, from The Everly Brothers to The Bee Gees, there's nothing quite like siblings harmonising. Identical twins, David and Adam Moss have added to this long line of close harmony vocalising as The Brother Brothers with their album 'Calla Lily'. It follows on from a debut that set ripples astir on the musical waters...
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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...
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...
NEWS
Miranda Sykes and Hannah Martin Debut Tour 2021
In this exciting new collaboration from two of British folk's finest voices, Miranda Sykes (Show of Hands) and Hannah Martin (Edgelarks, Gigspanner...
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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...
Suffolk Duo Honey and The Bear Cast off on Journey Through The Roke
Roke: An old East Anglian word describing the smoke-like mist that rises in the evening off marshes and water meadows. East Anglian-based duo Lucy and Jon Hart have always had a strong sense of place. Performing as Honey and The Bear, the multi-instrumental...
GANDHI – New Album by Rão Kyao Honours the Man who Changed the World Peacefully
GANDHI is the beautiful new album from Portuguese bamboo flute master, Rão Kyao, honouring one of greatest spiritual and political leaders of the 20th century, Mahatma Gandhi (1869 - 1948). It features proud and peaceful music evoking the spirit of Gandhi’s life and...
FEATURES
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 its quest for answers. Our man with them at the barricades; Nick Barber. Riding...
All 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...
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...
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
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 passports and testing have left event organisers scratching their heads. In light...
All 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...
“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...
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