One of the finest and most loved duos on the British and World folk/roots stages.
With 30 years of unrivalled musical partnership and gathering numerous nominations, awards and critical acclaim along the way, much beloved British singer-songwriters Chris While and Julie Matthews celebrated a quarter of a century last year as one of the best loved and most prolific female duos to come out of this country.
They have played more than 2,600 gigs, appeared on over 100 albums, written hundreds of original songs and reached millions of people around the world. They are also part of female super group, Daphne’s Flight (Helen Watson, Melanie Harrold & Miranda Sykes) and Christmas band, St. Agnes Fountain with Fairport’s Chris Leslie. Now, 30 years after their debut, they sound as fresh and vital as ever.
2024 marks their 30th anniversary and will see the release of their 12th studio album as well as several festival appearances throughout the summer then culminating in an extensive celebratory tour in October.
“Chris While is the best singer in England” Eddi Reader
Chris While (vocals, guitar, banjo, dulcimer, bodhran and percussion) and Julie Matthews (vocals, piano, guitar, mandolin and bouzouki) are stunning singers, songwriters, musicians and performers whose energy and commitment to their craft and their audience is boundless.
They are two of the best and most hardworking musicians on the world folk roots scene, both are highly regarded producers and they record everything that they are involved in at their own studio in a small Pennine town far from the London centric music industry. They truly are inspirational women.
“The undisputed queens of British folk duos continue to come up with the goods, 1st class songs delivered with to die for harmonies, immaculate musicianship & melodies that lodge themselves in your brain.” The Guardian
Though internationally acclaimed, they continue to be a leading force on the UK’s acoustic/roots arts circuit. Their songs cover life as they see it, from the industrial waste lands of the north, to injustice and freedom, matters of the heart and everything in between. Their songs are covered by many revered singers the world over but it is While & Matthews’ musical partnership and obvious joy of performing together that really brings their songs to life. As performers they are unrivalled and their audiences leave their concerts having been through an emotional journey
Chris and Julie have been nominated ten times in the BBC Radio 2 Folk music awards in the ‘Best Song, Best Duo, Best Live Act’ categories and winning Best Duo in 2009 but it is their longstanding and devoted growing fans that they care about most.
Here they are performing at Shrewsbury Folk Festival
30th Anniversary Tour
October 2024
Wed 2nd St. Lawrence’s Church, Biddulph
Thurs 3rd Little Theatre Sheringham,
Fri 4th The Wesley Centre Maltby
Sat 5th Village Hall Nettleham
Sun 6th Bolehall Manor Tamworth
Mon 7th The Fleece Bretforton
Tues 8th Beacon Bristol
Wed 9th Kitchen Garden Café Birmingham
Thurs 10th Venue TBC Canterbury
Fri 11th Village Hall Osmington
Sat 12th Village Hall Ipplepen
Sun 13th Folk on the Moor Plymouth
Mon 14th Nettlebed Folk Club Nettlebed
Tues 15th, Dartford, Folk Club Dartford
Wed 16th Town Hall Marlborough
Thurs 17th Fareham, Ashcroft Arts Fareham
Fri 18th Village Hall Kings Somborne
Sat 19th Folk Club Wychwood
Sun 20th Folk Club/Cricket Pavillion Hitchin
Wed 23rd The Met Bury
Thurs 24th The Greystones Sheffield
Fri 25th The Witham Barnard Castle
Sat 26th Village Hall Armathwaite
Sun 27th Village Hall Hunmanby
For earlier tour dates and further information please visit: www.whileandmatthews.com
