“You won’t find English folk music played better than this” R2

Leveret are a highly acclaimed English folk trio renowned for their innovative approach to traditional music, blending consummate musicianship with captivating spontaneity. Formed in 2014, the band comprises three of England’s most celebrated folk musicians: Andy Cutting (melodeon), Sam Sweeney (fiddle), and Rob Harbron (English concertina). Together, they explore English tunes with a fresh yet deeply rooted perspective, drawing on their individual mastery of their instruments to create a sound that is both timeless and strikingly original.

Andy Cutting is widely regarded as one of the finest melodeon players of his generation. A three-time winner of the BBC Folk Awards’ Best Musician title, he has collaborated with an impressive array of artists, including June Tabor, Kate Rusby, Martin Simpson, Blowzabella, and even Roger Daltrey of The Who.

Sam Sweeney, named the 2015 BBC Folk Awards Musician of the Year, is a virtuoso fiddler best known for his work with Bellowhead, as well as projects like The Full English and his solo work including Unearth Repeat and The Unfinished Violin.

Rob Harbron, described by The Guardian as a “concertina wizard”, has a uniquely inventive approach to the English concertina and is known for his work with artists including Emily Portman, Jon Boden, and The Full English.

Leveret’s music is firmly grounded in the English folk tradition but stands apart thanks to its spontaneous nature. The trio eschew conventional arrangements, instead relying on mutual trust, keen listening, and real-time musical interplay.  This approach ensures that no two performances are ever the same, offering audiences a uniquely spontaneous experience that feels both ancient and contemporary. Their repertoire blends original settings of traditional tunes with new compositions crafted by the trio, who are themselves regarded as some of the finest tunesmiths in modern folk music.

Over their 12+ years together, Leveret have released a string of critically acclaimed albums that highlight their distinctive style and evolving creativity.  Their first album, New Anything (2015), introduced their elegant and intuitive take on traditional material, earning widespread praise. Subsequent releases, including Diversions (2019), Variations Live (2020), and Forms (2023), have continued to demonstrate their ability to unearth and reimagine traditional gems, and their next release, due out Autumn 2025, will feature another great selection of rediscovered traditional tunes alongside some fine original pieces. The trio’s chemistry is a cornerstone of their appeal. Critics have lauded the “almost telepathic interplay” between Cutting, Sweeney, and Harbron as they weave their melodies together.

Named after the term for a young hare, Leveret embodies the spirit of English folk with a poise and grace that feels both understated and revolutionary. Their music, described as possessing a “very English kind of swing,” reinvents tradition with a modern sensibility, appealing to seasoned folk enthusiasts and newcomers alike.

As they continue to explore the endless potential of the folk tune, Leveret remains a vital and exhilarating force in the contemporary folk scene, proving that tradition is not static but a living, breathing art form ripe for reinvention.

The English instrumental trio have just announced their return, touring with a sixth studio album Lost Measures a beautiful collection of unearthed traditional treasures and striking new tunes.

Some music feels like it has been waiting for centuries to be played again. On this their sixth studio album together, the trio breathe life into old melodies found dormant in dusty manuscripts, pairing them with luminous new tunes of their own. The result is Lost Measures, a record that approaches centuries of English vernacular music with the band’s trademark poise and originality.

The album’s title reflects both the act of rediscovering forgotten tunes and also the group’s fascination with the subtle interplay of rhythm, phrasing and melody that underpins their sound. The trio’s telepathic, conversational style — honed over more than a decade of performing together — allows each tune to unfold with intimacy and depth, free from rigid arrangements yet rich with detail. There is no leader, no hierarchy, no fixed role — just three deeply attuned musicians listening, responding and shaping each piece in the moment.

Their interplay can be as intricate or direct; their freedom comes from years of trust, a deep understanding of the music they play and an integral shared sense of rhythmic pulse. Leveret have long been celebrated for their commitment to presenting traditional music as a living art form. A key element of the band’s work is their willingness to root out the tunes that have fallen out of the wider contemporary repertoire and breath new live into them — approaching them not as museum pieces, but as vibrant, evolving works that invite listeners into the moment.

With Lost Measures, Leveret continue to prove that old tunes can feel utterly new, and new tunes can feel timeless.

Don’t take our word for it though, the best way to experience these musicians is live.  So check to see if they are coming to a venue near you.

Lost Measures Tour Dates

26/09/25 Ruskin Mill, Nailsworth
27/09/25 Lewes Saturday Folk Club, Lewes
28/09/25 Matthews Hall, Topsham, Devon
30/09/25 North Wall Arts Centre, Oxford
1/10/25 Spring Bank Arts Centre, New Mills
2/10/25 Neuadd Ogwen, Bethesda
3/10/25 Ludlow Assembly Rooms, Shropshire
4/10/25 Calstock Arts, Cornwall
5/10/25 The Lantern, Bristol

For further details please visit: www.leveretband.com

Featured Image Emlyn Banbridge