After embarking on a solo career, releasing his debut solo album The Unfinished Violin on Island Records and touring it to sell-out crowds on the 2019 album launch tour, Sam released his highly anticipated second solo album, Unearth Repeat, in Spring 2020. Having waited twenty months to tour the record, Sam and his band are finally taking to the road.
Moving on from his five year connection to the First World War, which inspired his first album and captured the nation’s hearts through appearances on Antiques Roadshow and BBC Breakfast, alongside BBC Radio 2, 3, 4 and 6Music, Sam is moving on to making music on his own terms, with three of his favourite musicians and with a totally fresh approach and a big sound.
“One hell of an album from one hell of a fiddler.” ***** R2
Sam and his new band are putting something into English music that has never been there before. This album has the swagger and groove of traditional English music with the huge sound, flare, energy and festival spirit of bands coming out of the Celtic and Scandinavian music scenes.
The new album occupies a very different sound world to The Unfinished Violin. Leaving string sections, piano and harmonium behind, the new band features acoustic and electric guitars and double bass.
Here’s a sneaky peak :
Jack Rutter – guitar (Seth Lakeman, Jackie Oates, Moore Moss Rutter
Ben Nicholls – double bass (Seth Lakeman, Nadine Shah, Kings Of The South Seas, Wild Rose, The Full English)
Louis Campbell – electric guitar (member of National Youth Folk Ensemble 2016-18, BBC Introducing with Big Massive Orchestra, studying guitar at RNCM)
Sam is a veteran of the mighty Bellowhead, former artistic director of the National Folk Youth Ensemble, founder member of the acclaimed instrumental trio Leveret, and a superb instrumentalist at the forefront of the revival in English traditional music.
“The fiddler with the Midas touch… an English equivalent of the great Irish fiddle player Martin Hayes.” **** The Guardian
Tour Dates:
Nov 19 – NCEM, York
Nov 20 – Hope Chapel, Hebden Bridge
Nov 21 – Victoria Hall, Settle
Nov 23 – Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool
Nov 24 – Huntingdon Hall, Worcester
Nov 25 – Chipping Norton Theatre
Nov 26 – Gosforth Civic Theatre, Newcastle upon Tyne
Nov 27 – Cecil Sharp House, London
Nov 28 – Colchester Arts Centre
Nov 29 – Ludlow Assembly Rooms
Nov 30 – St David’s Hall, Cardiff
Dec 1 – Stoller Hall, Manchester
Dec 2 – The Venue, Derby
Dec 3 – Calstock Arts Centre
Dec 4 – Live To Your Living Room
Dec 5 – Stroud, Subscription Rooms
For more information and ticket links please visit: www.samsweeneymusic.com





