Fairport Convention have been entertaining music lovers for over half a century, having formed in 1967. During that time, the band that launched British folk-rock has seen many changes, but one thing has remained the same – Fairport’s passion for performance.
They have won a BBC Lifetime Achievement Award, and Radio 2 listeners voted their ground-breaking album Liege & Lief ‘The Most Influential Folk Album of All Time‘. Their story has been celebrated with television documentaries on BBC Four and Sky Arts.
The band features founding member Simon Nicol on guitar and vocals, Dave Pegg on bass guitar, Ric Sanders on violin, Chris Leslie on bouzouki, mandolin, banjo, fiddle, and vocals.
Ahead of their triumphant return to the fields of a sold-out Cropredy Convention this August, legendary British Folk-Rockers – Fairport Convention – announce dates for their 2025 Autumn Tour…
Celebrating a whopping 58 years in business in 2025, Fairport Convention continue to shape the musical landscape of British Folk-Rock. With a passion for performance that has never waned, the formidable Fairport live experience continues to sell out venues across the country.
Beginning in Kinross on Wednesday 8th October, this year’s Autumn tour will take in 23 dates across England and Wales – plus an extended stay in Scotland for 5 shows. The tour will wrap up in Liverpool on Sunday 2nd November – which also happens to be bassist Dave Pegg’s birthday!
Each trip around the sun heralds another milestone, with 2025 marking 40 years since ‘Gladys’ Leap’ – the first album of the reunited Fairport Convention, featuring Simon Nicol, Dave Pegg and the first contributions from Ric Sanders – all of whom join the lineup for the Autumn 2025 Tour.
Fairport have always been partial to obscure titles, with this particular album being named after Gladys Hillier – a 65 year old postwoman from Cranham, who created a shortcut on her daily route by jumping across a fast-flowing brook. The spot was recently named after her on the Ordnance Survey map as ‘Gladys’ Leap’.
Dave Pegg and Chris Leslie on their Winter UK Tour in Worthing (2025). Courtesy of Pavel Ivanov.
Formed in 1967, Fairport Convention pioneered the blending of traditional instruments with electric instrumentation, in turn becoming synonymous with the ‘electric-folk’ sound. The band have won a BBC Lifetime Achievement Award and Radio 2 listeners voted their ground-breaking album Liege & Lief ‘The Most Influential Folk Album of All Time’. They were also awarded ‘Favourite Folk Track of All Time’ for Who Knows Where The Time Goes? at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards.
Entertaining music lovers for over half a century, this year’s repertoire will feature a host of Fairport favourites, along with some surprises from albums old and new.
“Stuffing their set with a surprising amount of new material for a vintage act, Fairport are still clearly having fun and brought the house down.” – The Guardian
The lineup features Simon Nicol on guitar and vocals, Dave Pegg on bass guitar and vocals, Ric Sanders on violin and Chris Leslie on bouzouki, mandolin, banjo, fiddle and vocals. Carrying on the Fairport torch, the chaps prove to be Fairport’s most consistent and long-lasting lineup to date – 28 years and counting.
Fairport Convention’s Autumn Tour runs from 8th October to 2nd November, with some shows already sold out. Tickets are available to purchase now on the links below.
Ric Sanders and Simon Nicol on their Winter UK Tour in Worthing (2025). Courtesy of Pavel Ivanov.
Fairport Convention Wintour 2025
Wed, 8th Oct 2025
The Green Hotel, Kinross
Thu, 9th Oct 2025
The Green Hotel, Kinross
Fri, 10th Oct 2025
Byre Theatre, St Andrews
Sat, 11th Oct 2025
Lemon Tree, Aberdeen – TICKETS
Sun, 12th Oct 2025
St Lukes, Glasgow
Tue, 14th Oct 2025
Crookes Social Club, Sheffield
Wed, 15th Oct 2025
The Witham, Barnard Castle
Thu, 16th Oct 2025
Victoria Hall, Settle
Fri, 17th Oct 2025
Town Hall, Masham
Sat, 18th Oct 2025
The Met, Bury
Sun, 19th Oct 2025
The Mill, Banbury
Tue, 21st Oct 2025
The Exchange, Twickenham
Wed, 22nd Oct 2025
St Mary’s Arts Centre, Sandwich
Thu, 23rd Oct 2025
Theatre Royal, Winchester
Fri, 24th Oct 2025
St James’ Church, Emsworth
Sat, 25th Oct 2025
Medina Theatre, Isle of Wight
Sun, 26th Oct 2025
The Cutty Sark, London
Tue, 28th Oct 2025
Acapela Studios, Pentyrch
Wed, 29th Oct 2025
The Sub Rooms, Stroud
Thu, 30th Oct 2025
Assembly Rooms, Ludlow
Fri, 31st Oct 2025
Norden Farm, Maidenhead
Sat, 1st Nov 2025
Village Hall, Lowdham
Sun, 2nd Nov 2025
The Tung Auditorium, Liverpool
Tickets for all thing Fairport here :www.fairportconvention.com/gigs-tours
#OurBusRollsOn
