By the time John Spiers and Jon Boden had hung up their highly regarded hats as the Spiers & Boden duo in 2014 they had earned a place in the hearts of the folk audience that few could rival.
Described by The Guardian as ‘the finest instrumental duo on the traditional scene’, Spiers & Boden first rocketed onto the music scene in 2001, quickly winning a clutch of BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards and went on to become one of the best loved duos on the English folk scene and beyond. John and Jon also founded and fronted the pioneering and hugely successful folk big band Bellowhead, whose stellar career increasingly came to dominate their time. But after exploring solo projects, the duo returned with the album ‘Fallow Ground’ (Hudson Records), plus festival appearances and a 23 date UK comeback tour in October ’21, which included the sold out Spiers & Boden Festival at Cecil Sharp House, London
The title ‘Fallow Ground’ is not only a reference to the duo’s choice to put Spiers & Boden to one side for a time, but also, to the huge impact that the pandemic has had on live music. The decision to return with an album in 2021 was made pre-pandemic and as a result ended up being recorded between lockdowns. The result was an album bursting with ideas as well as a new-found confidence to let the material speak for itself.
‘I guess we were looking for songs during lockdown with a sense of fun and light relief. I realise that there are zero songs about death on this album, which is probably a first and may get us expelled from the English Folk Dance & Song Society. Yes, traditional songs with a joyous edge’. Jon Boden.
After their seven-year hiatus and with the new album ‘Fallow Ground’ under their belts they are making plans to take to the road again for select dates this year, so grab your new 2024 diary and see if they are coming to a venue near you!
Tour Dates as Follows:
February:
Wed 28th Settle Victoria Hall
Thu 29th Regal, Tenbury Wells
March:
Fri 1st Thomas Hughes Memorial Hall, Uffington
Sat 2nd Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon
Sun 3rd MAC, Birmingham
Mon 4th Maddermarket Theatre, Norwich
Wed 13th Exeter Phoenix
Thu 14th Mwldan, Aberteifi / Cardigan
Fri 15th Taliesin Arts Centre, Swansea
Sun 17th Pavilion Arts Centre, Buxton
Mon 18th Queen’s Hall, Hexham
Tue 19th Cast, Doncaster
April:
Wed 10th Theatre Royal Winchester
Thu 11th Norden Farm Centre for the Arts, Maidenhead
Fri 12th The Y Theatre, Leicester
Sat 13th The Mill Arts Centre, Banbury
Mon 15th Colchester Arts Centre
Tue 16th St Andrew’s Church, Hertford
For further details please visit: https://spiersandboden.com
