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Tel: ​07720 484 950

Past Gigs

January 25th 2025
The Magic Numbers
The Foundry, Sheffield

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The Magic Numbers @ Sheffield Foundry
​The Magic Numbers are a UK-based four piece comprising two pairs of siblings (Romeo and Michele Stodart, Sean and Angela Gannon) who are known for their unique harmonies, melodic hooks, songwriting craftsmanship and timeless sound.

Their Mercury Prize-nominated self-titled debut album was released in 2005 to outstanding critical acclaim, and contained top ten hit singles such as 'Forever Lost', 'Love Me Like You' and 'Love is a Game'. It went on to sell over a million copies worldwide, making them one of the nation’s best-loved bands. They have earned a reputation for their exciting and uplifting live performances, leading them to tour the world, building a loyal fan base, as well as supporting the likes of Neil Young, Brian Wilson, Radiohead, The Flaming Lips, The Who, U2, Elbow and Bright Eyes amongst many others. The Magic Numbers have released five successful albums to date, and are currently working on new music. 

The band have also become known for their collaborations with a diverse range of artists over the years - from Romeo writing and producing songs for the late Jane Birkin, Natalie Imbruglia, Ren Harvieu to co- writing ‘Close your eyes’ with the Chemical Brothers for their Grammy-Award-winning album ‘Push The Button’, and producing Billy Bragg’s most recent album. His sister, Michele Stodart has released three critically acclaimed solo albums, and is also an award-winning artist and collaborator. 

The Magic Numbers' outstanding musicianship, blood harmonies and skilfully crafted songs, make them a truly unique, exciting and unmissable live band. They continue to tour the world building their audiences and explore new ground in the studio together producing albums.

January 19th 2025
The John Martyn Project

Firth Hall, in association with University of Sheffield

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John Martyn Project at Firth Hall 19th Jan 2025
One evening at the Jazz Cafe, Camden in 2018, six artists came together in celebration of John Martyn’s music. It was an evening of deep connection, not just to John’s music, but also with a unique community of John Martyn fans. That night saw the sparks of what was to become ‘The John Martyn Project’ – an ongoing homage to a truly pioneering and unique musical soul.

Each bringing their own story and relationship to John’s music, they continue to keep the spirit of his music alive whilst collecting stories and insights from the crowds they play to.

“This is unlike anything I’ve heard before” Klof Mag
“A spellbinding journey through johns esteemed legacy of songs”
“This Group captures the heart of john’s music, married with a deep love for his songs it delivers a truly memorable evening”
“This is a must see for any John Martyn Fan”

15th October 2024
Fairport Convention
Crookes Social Club, Sheffield

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Fairport Convention @ Crookes Social club 15th Oct 2024
​Fairport Convention have been entertaining music lovers for over half a century, with 2024 being their 57th anniversary! 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.

After the overwhelming demand for last year's sell out show at Crookes Social, we thought it would only be right to invite them back for another show! This year’s Autumn Tour will present a mix of long-established Fairport favourites and some surprises from albums old and new. Fairport Convention 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 and vocals, Ric Sanders on violin, Chris Leslie on bouzouki, mandolin, banjo, fiddle, and vocals.
​
"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

"Fairport is an institution, a festival, purveyors of memories, and keepers of the folk flame. But most of all they are a brilliant live band." - Folk & Tumble

9th November 2024
K.O.G + special guests
Album launch
Crookes Social Club, Sheffield

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KOG @ Crookes social club
​“I view MUSIC as a major WEAPON in the BATTLEFIELD for PEACE of MIND in the world” – K.O.G
“Ghana’s finest” – Jools Holland, Later with Jools Holland, BBC2, March 2021

Kweku Sackey aka K.O.G (Kweku of Ghana) is a multi-dimensional creative force, combining exquisite writing skills with shamanistic live performance, fierce raps, perfectly on pitch singing across a massive vocal range and some absolutely wicked dance moves. Not to mention his skills as a percussionist, arranger, bandleader and art director. A true poet and storyteller, he uses a mix of English, Pidgin and Ga to paint sonic pictures that reach deep into the souls of everyone ready to listen.

“I love to make music that CONNECTS, REVIVES , EDUCATES and ENTERTAINS, drawing on the spiritual, physical, emotional and mental well being of us as individuals and our quest to maintain balance with the universe.”

Born in Accra, Ghana, to a nurse mother and marine engineer father who had studied in England, he grew up with a diverse range of international influences alongside Ghanaian styles: Tom Waits, Quincy Jones, Bob Marley, Sizzla, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Ebo Taylor, Gyedu Blay Ambolley, Atongo Simba, George Clinton, Pavarotti, Warsaw Village Band.

Resident for over 10 years in Sheffield, UK, music has taken him to perform on huge stages all over the world, from Glastonbury’s legendary West Holts stage to Fusion (Germany), Sauti Za Busara (Zanzibar), Kabardock (Reunion) and the Commonwealth Games (Gold Cost, Australia), winning the 2018 Young Commonwealth Performer and performing for Nelson Mandela’s family.

A prolific writer and collaborator, he needs a range of projects to showcase the different sides of his unique talent. He is the lead vocalist for afro-futurist project Onipa (Strut Records, Wormfood) and hi-life/hiphop/funk band K.O.G (Heavenly Sweetness), as well as collaborating extensively with Nubiyan Twist; his song ‘If I know’ off the Freedom Fables album (Strut, March 2021) was performed live on Later with Jools Holland and A playlisted twice on BBC6 Music.

Kweku is deeply aware of his heritage and of his role as an ambassador both through space and time, negotiating culturally both between African and Western influences and between the traditional and the modern: always open to new innovations and ideas while firmly rooted in a deep lineage. This openness has informed recent collaborations with a wide wide range of producers and writers, including Léon Phal, Jembaa Groove, Zed Bias, iZem, Afriquoi, Congo Natty, Scrimshire, Dark Sky, Dizraeli, Chiminyo, Umoja and many more in the pipeline. Third album on French label Heavenly Sweetness, produced by master French producer Guts (Alliance Ethnik) and longtime friend and collaborator Tom Excell (Nubiyan Twist, Onipa), will drop September 2024

23rd November 2024
Erland Cooper
Upper Chapel, Sheffield

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Erland Cooper at Upper Chapel Sheffield
​“Nature’s songwriter” – The Guardian

Erland Cooper is a Scottish composer, producer and multi-instrumentalist originally from Stromness, Orkney. As a solo artist, he has released five acclaimed studio albums, including a trilogy of work inspired by his childhood home, as well as themes of nature, people, place and time. His work combines field recordings with traditional orchestration and contemporary electronic elements. Through music, words and cinematography he explores landscape, memory and identity. He develops these themes further by partnering with other artists, writers and poets. Cooper also works across mixed media projects including installation art, theatre and film. He’s widely known for burying the only existing copy of the master tape of his first classical album in Scotland, deleting all digital files and leaving only a treasure hunt of clues for anyone to seek it. The tape was found in 2023 and the album will be released, exactly as it sounds from the earth, this year along with its world premiere of the completed score.

" One of the most unique, consistently engaging composers of his generation" - CLASH
" Exploring the place where electronic and classical music can co-habit” - The Quietus
“ Cooper’s project serves as a commentary on the disposable nature of music and the immediacy in which it is delivered”  - The Times

www.erlandcooper.com
Instagram: @ErlandCooper

17th May 2024
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Rebecca Hearne
Justin Sheppy
Hagglers Corner, Sheffield

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Rebecca Hearne and Justin Sheppy
​This is the first Flying Donkey event in The Attikk at Hagglers Corner. Expect an intimate seated gig featuring two of Sheffield's finest. We are trialling an earlier start time to make it more accessible to people of different ages and energy levels. The first act will be on shortly after 7pm. 

Rebecca Hearne

'Creepy folk music for the contemporary palate... eat up!'

Rebecca L Hearne is a folk singer and performer from Rotherham, South Yorkshire, and comes from a long line of Celtic and English musical performers. Inspired by traditional folk music from the British Isles and beyond, Rebecca blends straightforward acapella vocal performance with contemporary pop music and electronica, academic research, and principles of mythology, folklore, and magic to create a truly enchanting sensory experience.

Justin Sheppy

Justin, Liz and Tom present Peace in the Park: A piece about mental health and green spaces, performed through the medium of folk music, 90s dance, poetry, harp, violin, piano, vocals and Sheffield soundscape.

22 March 2024
Vipertime
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Sidney + Matilda, Sheffield

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Vipertime at Sidney + Matilda
“That was Vipertime. I wouldn't mind hanging out somewhere where  that was going on. I guess I'd have to go to Leeds" - Iggy Pop 

Born in the snake pit of Leeds house parties, aggro-jazz four-piece Vipertime have  earned a ferocious reputation making a series of incendiary appearances at venues  and festivals across the UK, honing their craft while pushing their line up of saxophone, bass and twin drum sets to its sonic limits. Both live and in the studio, their  music is a sweaty dance floor incarnate. A heady brew blending 70s Ethio-jazz, the  60s proto-punk of The Stooges, Alice and John Coltrane, Fela Kuti and Lee Perry.  Music of joy and rebellion.  

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Sarah Heneghan presents: Power Out

Brought to you by Sheffield-based drummer Sarah Heneghan, Power Out is a continuous set of live drums, electronics, and lights to create a whirling atmosphere of beats. It's a story of pumping dance music contrasted with improvised live drumming, that blows apart expectations of what solo drumming can be.

20th March 2024
Sam Lee - Songdreaming
Crookes Social Club, Sheffield

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Sam Lee
March 2024 sees the release of Sam Lee’s fourth studio album, ‘Songdreaming’, the follow up to 2020’s ‘Old Wow’, an album variously described as ‘A dazzling fusion of nature and song’ (The Observer) and a ‘sublime album that demands to be heard in the 21st century’ (The Daily Telegraph) amidst a host of critical acclaim. 

‘Songdreaming’ represents the latest stage in the development of Sam Lee’s music, from its roots in traditional folk song to a new way of imagining and performing these old songs, making them relevant for a modern audience.

The album sees Sam continue his work with producer Bernard Butler and long term collaborator, arranger and composer James Keay in creating an album rich in musicality and invention, building on the backbone of double bass, percussion and violin with a world of instrumentation including the Arabic Qanoon, Swedish Nyckelharpa and more. In doing so, Sam delivers an album that ranges from more immediately identifiable acoustic songs to drone soundscapes to the electric guitar and gospel choir propelled lead single, ‘Meeting Is A Pleasant Place’ which features the recording debut of Trans Voices, a London based transgender choir.

With a lyrical focus on the perilous state of the natural world that has informed Sam’s work since his debut, ‘Songdreaming’ represents the most expansive and fully realised Sam Lee album to date, capable of switching from the beautiful balladry of ‘Sweet Girl McRee’ to the gospel tinges of ‘Leaves Of Life’ and the whiteout noise close of album opener ‘Bushes and Briars’. It is a full expression of Sam Lee as an artist and of his relationship to his muse, the natural world. As he notes:

“I wanted to sing a vision of what a conversation between us and the land could be, to restore and inspire a practice of songful immersion in nature that brings with it healing, something we need now more than ever."

16th March 2024
BCUC
Foundry, Sheffield

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BCUC  at Sheffield Foundry
From humble beginnings, rehearsing in a shipping container a stone’s throw from the church were Desmond Tutu organised the escape of the most wanted anti-Apartheid activists of Soweto, BCUC have grown to become one of the world’s most of the celebrated bands, playing the biggest stages at some of the most important festivals in the world: Glastonbury West Holts, Roskilde, Afropunk Brooklyn, Dour, Worldwide, Womad, Fusion, Sziget, FMM Sines, Beaches, Boomtown, Colours of Ostrava, Couleur Café.

Like its elders, Bantu Continua Uhuru Consciousness sees its music as a hedonistic trance, but also as a weapon of political and spiritual liberation. 2023 even saw them win the prestigious Womex Artist Award, an accolade usually reserved for much older artists, in recognition of their fearless work ethic and prodigiously transformational live shows.

The seven-piece band has been mesmerising audiences both locally and globally with its indigenous funk and high-energy performances that have fast made it one of South Africa’s most successful musical exports. Artistic heir to Philip “Malombo” Tabane and Batsumi, they give contemporary voice to the ancestral traditions of indigenous peoples. Jazz sounds of 1970s and ‘80s productions replaced by Hip Hop influences and punk-rock energy, taking their controversial yet interesting views on modern Africa.
They tackle the harsh realities of the voiceless, especially the plight of the uneducated workers at the bottom of the food chain. BCUC taps into the elusiveness of the spirit world of ancestors by which they are inspired. The Africa portrayed by BCUC is not poor, but rich in tradition, rituals and beliefs.

“We bring fun and emo-indigenous Afro psychedelic fire from the hood,“ - says vocalist Kgomotso Mokone..
2023 Womex Artist Award Winners

“Without a doubt the best live act I saw” – Gilles Peterson
“Loved their set, it was one of my highlights of a great weekend” Nick Dewey, Glastonbury Festival
“Guaranteed to touch untapped corners of your soul” – Okayafrica
“the most impressive newcomers this year” – The Guardian
https://bcuc.bandcamp.com/music

8th February 2024
Manu Delago 
Upper Chapel, Sheffield

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Manu Delago, Sheffield, 8th Feb 2024
​Manu Delago  – Grammy nominee, composer, innovator and acclaimed percussionist – has teamed up with vocal ensemble Mad About Lemon to craft a profound new album, Snow From Yesterday due for release via One Little Independant in February 2024.

Now, Manu will be joined by singers from Mad About Lemon and the multi-talented Clemens Rofner, as he shares this versatile and powerful album with audiences across Europe.

Famous for his dynamic and surprising live shows, Manu Delago has toured the world and collaborated with artists such as Björk, The Cinematic Orchestra and Olafur Arnalds.

31st January 2024
This Is The Kit
Crookes Social Club, Sheffield

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This Is The Kit, Crookes Social Club, Sheffield
​This is the Kit is the musical project of Paris-via-Bristol singer/songwriter Kate Stables who sings and plays banjo and guitar, sometimes solo and other times in other guises: duo, psychedelic rock-formation, 4-4-2, unplugged acoustic gigs, choir workshops, home shows, busking etc. If you thought you didn’t like the banjo, This Is The Kit will prove you wrong as Kate rips forward with a hypnotic twang pattern and a voice of rare beauty, accompanied by a backing band of minimal psychedelia.

This Is The Kit's music places companionship at a premium, so being welcomed into its space feels like an obvious privilege, on record and in concert hall with her stellar supporting cast of Rozi Plain (bass), Jamie Whitby-Coles (drums) and Neil Smith (guitar).

Tuesday 24th October 2023 
Fairport Convention
Crookes Social Club, Sheffield

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Flying Donkey Events present Fairport Convention
Fairport Convention have been entertaining music lovers for over half a century, with 2023 being their 56th anniversary! 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.

This year’s Autumn Tour will present a mix of long-established Fairport favourites and some surprises from albums old and new.

Fairport Convention 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 and vocals, Ric Sanders on violin, Chris Leslie on bouzouki, mandolin, banjo, fiddle, and vocals.

"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

"Fairport is an institution, a festival, purveyors of memories, and keepers of the folk flame. But most of all they are a brilliant live band."
Folk & Tumble

Sat 23rd Sept 2023 
Matthew Halsall
​​
Upper Chapel, Sheffield

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Flying Donkey Events present Matthew Halsall at Upper Chapel, Sheffield
Elevating, soulful music from trumpeter Matthew Halsall whose luminous playing radiates a thoughtful beauty and who over 15 years and eight studio albums has created his own unique sound world joining the dots between the spiritual jazz of Pharoah Sanders and Alice Coltrane and the contemporary sounds of Bonobo and The Cinematic Orchestra.

Expect spiritual, progressive, perfectly crafted, mediative jazz sounds for the 21st century as Matthew and his band perform music from their forthcoming album An Ever Changing View together with gems from
his back catalogue.

Mathew Halsall - trumpet
Matt Cliffe - saxophone & flute
Alice Roberts - harp
Jasper Green - piano
Gavin Barras - bass
Alan Taylor - drums
Sam Bell - percussion.
With special guest Chip Wickham saxophone and flute.

"If I could watch any jazz band in the UK, any, I would choose Matthew Halsall's band, just love what he's been doing over the last few years... It's always high level, spiritual jazz music"
Gilles Peterson BBC Radio 1

“'Kind of Blue' meets The Cinematic Orchestra...”
Time Out

“Combines deep, mellow modal grooves and cascading harp glissandi with sublime soloing to create something that’s simultaneously refreshing and relaxing”
★★★★★
Record Collector

Friday 9th June 2023 
Mad Professor ft Aisha
​​
Crookes Social Club, Sheffield

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Mad Professor at Crookes Social Club
Mad Professor is considered one of the leading producers of dub music's second generation and was instrumental in transitioning dub into the digital age. He has collaborated with reggae artists such as Lee "Scratch" Perry, Sly and Robbie, Pato Banton, Jah Shaka and Horace Andy, as well as artists outside the realm of traditional reggae and dub, such as Sade, Massive Attack, The Orb, Grace Jones, and Perry Farrell.

Having started building electronic equipment in the seventies, Mad Professor evolved into building mixing desks and sound effect units. He opened his self-built Ariwa recording studios in 1979. He then developed the Live Electronic Dub Show, becoming the first engineer to mix live from the stage, sometimes with tapes, or musicians, very often with artists from his own Ariwa label

Sister Aisha began singing at the age of eight, and through her live performances built a significant following in and around the Midlands. Demonstrating her individualism, she followed in the direction of roots music as opposed to singing soulful cover versions of R&B hits, the latter being the most frequent route for reggae divas. In the late 80s Aisha began recording with the Mad Professor and released ‘Prophecy’ on his Ariwa Sounds label. Her 2016 tune, Wait A Minute, produced by Mad Professor, has been a staple of Vibrations parties since its release!

This event will be powered by Sheffield's finest Dub soundsystem Sinai Sound to ensure the best possible sound.
Support comes from Dub Shack DJs, and Moonmonkey with El Gan on trumpet (Vibrations).

Thursday 20th April 2023 
The John Martyn Project
​
Crookes Social Club, Sheffield

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Flying Donkey Events present The John Martyn Project
This is a special project where six artists come together to celebrate the music of John Martyn. Each brings their own story and connection to John’s music which adds to the fabric of the overall experience of the project. This diversity of different musical paths of the musicians recreate the many different aspects and eras of Martyn’s music and is delivered in a sensitive and poignant manner.

Blythe Pepino - By the end of 2016, she had released her major label debut as front-woman of Vaults, sung on that year’s John Lewis Christmas ad and toured with London Grammar. Not one to compromise her artistic vision, in early 2017 she turned her back on the major label existence to pursue her penchant for the strange and leftfield with new band, Mesadorm. 

Kit Hawes is a virtuoso guitarist, composer, singer songwriter and mandolin enthusiast. Coming from a musical family, Kit was steeped in folk and roots music from the outset; learning from his 
parents and the many musicians who would pass through the farm. At age 14, he dropped out of school to pursue a career as a professional musician.  Kit has played all over the world and has gained a reputation as a top class instrumentalist working with a wide range of artists including Seth Lakeman, Cara Dillon and Yola.

Pete Josef has always been a soul singer at heart, but his Multi-instrumental skill’s have led him into some interesting situations. For several years he has recorded and performed live with Roni Size and Reprazent, and more recently with Rag ’n' Bone Man as well as being a touring artist in Kelis’ live band, gracing the stages of Glastonbury festival, Jools Holland and Fuji Rock. All whilst in this time working on his debut album ‘Colour’ which was featured at Gilles Peterson’s Worldwide Awards. 

Sam Brookes - In 2011 his eponymous debut album saw him named as Sunday Times ‘Breaking Act’ and his independently released follow up Kairos was picked as one of the best albums of 2014 by The Independent. Considerable streaming success and support slots for the likes of Willy Mason, Scott Matthews and Joan Armatrading have earned Sam a dedicated following and growing anticipation for his third album. 

John Blakeley & Jon Short form a uniquely creative and original rhythm section who over the years have played together in various incarnations with such artists as Yola, Sheelanagig and No Go Stop.

“This is unlike anything I’ve heard before” Folk Radio

“With his keening tenor vibrato sailing effortlessly into the upper register, there’s something of Tim 
Buckley about Sam Brookes” - Andy Gill - The Independent

"[Kit] plays with dazzling virtuosity" Ethan Johns

Saturday 1st April 2023 
Greg Wilson's Discotheque Archives
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Sidney + Matilda, Sheffield

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Greg Wilsons Discotheque
Book Tour / Interview & Club Night, with Special Guest WINSTON HAZEL.  Hosted by Celestial Broc
​
As part of of a series of events up and down the country, Greg Wilson presents a special night in support of his new book, Discotheque Archives, now available as an extended hardback.

The book explores the pre-rave era of dance music, spanning the ‘60s through until the mid-80s via its four main sections – Classic DJs, Classic Labels, Classic Venues and Classic Records. With props from the likes of Gilles Peterson, Norman Jay, Colleen ‘Cosmo Murphy’, Luke Una, Irvine Welsh and John Higgs, Discotheque Archives can be ordered here

Greg’s guest, Winston Hazel, is a Sheffield DJ luminary, hosting the city’s leading underground night of the mid-‘80s-early-‘90s, Jive Turkey, in partnership with Parrot (Richard Barrett). Jive Turkey preceded rave, then ushered it in, and is one of the book’s Classic Venues, illuminating the pioneering roles Winston & Parrot played in UK club culture. In January, The Guardian ran a feature on Jive Turkey and its influence

Winston will be playing tracks from Jive Turkey era, whilst Greg will be selecting from the vast array of records listed in the book.

GREG WILSON ESSENTIAL MIX
GREG WILSON INTERVIEWS PARROT 2014

Saturday 26th November 2022
Jesca Hoop
​
Upper Chapel, Sheffield, S1 2JD

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Flying Donkey Events present Jesca Hoop at Upper Chapel, Sheffield
California-born but now based in Manchester, UK, Jesca Hoop is what you’d call a musician’s musician. Discovered by Tom Waits, and brought on tour by Peter Gabriel to sing in his band, it was a phone call from Elbow’s Guy Garvey that saw her move to the UK. Her most recent album “Stonechild”, produced by John Parish (PJ Harvey, Aldous Harding, This is the Kit), received huge acclaim from fans and critics alike, and it’s easy to see why: her beautiful songs, rooted in the folk tradition are intricately detailed, acoustic-led pieces that teem with ideas.
Support comes from Chloe Foy

Friday 1st July 2022
Krar Collective
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Crookes Social Club, Sheffield, S10 1TD

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Krar Collective
The mighty Krar Collective serve up a mind-blowing feast of exuberant Ethiopian songs and dance tunes. Led by Temesgen Zeleke, student of jazz legend Mulatu Astatke, the band perform a contemporary take on roots music reflecting the diversity of cultures within Africa’s second most populous country. In the virtuoso hands of Zeleke, the ancient krar lyre becomes a gritty rock guitar, weaving around the stunning vocals of Genet Assefa and the driving rhythms of Amare Mulugeta on traditional kebero drums. The line-up has recently expanded to include virtuoso Baby Masinko on the extraordinary one-stringed Ethiopian masinko fiddle and Dawit Seyoum on bass krar for added funkiness.

"One of the most rousing, reliable new African bands of the year”
 - The Guardian

"They may use ancient instruments, but there’s nothing arcane about the way that they play them. This is hot ‘n’ hypnotic dance music...KrarCollective rock!”  - fRoots Magazine

“Krar Collective played one of the best support slots at the Barbican I can remember seeing with just a funked up harp (krar) an electric drum set and a singer whose vibrato was so extreme as to become ululation. Spine tingling stuff.”  - Fly Global Music

“Using effects pedals, Temesgen Zeleke makes the krar sound like a 12-string guitar one minute, and the chunkiest, funkiest electric guitar the next…they completely won over an initially reserved crowd, getting them to dance the night away… they are certainly unique”  - The Arts Desk

Friday 22 April 2022
Dele Sosimi Afrobeat Quintet
Crookes Social Club, Sheffield, S10 1TD

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Dele Sosimi Afrobeat Quinet Flying Donkey Events
Dele Sosimi stands out as one of the most active musicians currently on the Afrobeat scene worldwide. Dele‘s career began when he joined Fela Kuti‘s Egypt 80 (1979–1986) and then subsequently Fela‘s son Femi Kuti‘s Positive Force (1986-1994). In both bands he was musical director and keyboard player. Since Fela created Afrobeat, Dele‘s Afrobeat pedigree is therefore impeccable. The music is a blend of complex but highly danceable funk grooves, Nigerian traditional music (including hi-life), African percussion underpinning the jazz horns, and solos from other instruments, as well as rhythmical singing. 

Sosimi is abetted by a group of musicians, most of whom have either played with him on previous records or have gigged with him on the live circuit. They all have chops to spare and the communication between them is near telepathic. Afrobeat is lovingly given the virtuoso treatment by a combination of Femi Elias, whose Bass growls, twists, turns, pulsates & grooves, Kunle Olofinjana on drums who meshes perfectly with Elias and like a dream machine the groove never lets up. The gear changes are seamless, no accent or punctuation is missed,

His live shows are ALWAYS electric, and the crowd response is ALWAYS massive!

Wed 6th October 2021 
Peggy Seeger & Calum MacColl
Abbeydale Picture House, Sheffield

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Peggy Seeger & Calum MacColl
Making a very welcome return to Sheffield on her ‘First Farewell Tour’, the charismatic Peggy Seeger - singer, songwriter, feminist, icon, Ewan MacColl’s partner and muse - is the undisputed queen of folk and political song. Join Peggy and her son Calum MacColl (an exceptional musician in his own right) for a glorious evening of up-close performance. Expect to hear some of Peggy and Ewan MacColl’s most loved songs, readings from Peggy’s award-winning memoir ‘The First Time Ever', plenty of audience participation and lots of relaxed family banter. 

“Peggy may be folk royalty, but there’s nothing either reverent or nostalgic about this joyous and intimate performance”  - The Guardian 

“Glorious - Peggy is a commanding presence”  - The Times

“An effortlessly intimate affair” - The Scotsman

“A memorable warm and charming evening of great music, family humour and grace.” Irish World

Saturday 16th Oct 2021
The Belgrave House Band play Fleetwood Mac's 'Rumours' live & in full 
Abbeydale Picture House, Sheffield​

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We are teaming up with Future Jazz to bring you The Belgrave House Band playing Fleetwood Mac's 'Rumours' live and in full.
A funked-up version of one of the most critically acclaimed, highest grossing and culturally significant albums of all time..

The Belgrave House Band reimagine classic albums with very satisfying attention to detail and bouncing energy that makes for a unique take on the past, while delivering an exciting performance very much set in the present.

In their past four shows they have covered ‘The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill’, ‘Baduizm’, ‘The Writing’s On The Wall’, ‘The Love Below’ and a double show of Amy Winehouse’s ‘Frank’, all to sold-out audiences.

The band is made up of some of the most exciting musicians coming out of Leeds’ burgeoning Jazz and Soul scene, with members from Tetes De Pois, Mamilah, and the Tight Lines label.

This event is open to 14+ if accompanied by an adult.

The Belgrave House Band play Fleetwood Mac's 'Rumours' live & in full
The Belgrave House Band

Friday 24th Sept 2021
Richard Dawson 
Crookes Social Club, Sheffield, S10 1TD

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Richard Dawson at Crookes Social Club, Sheffield
Dawson is a singular voice, part savant-genius, part court jester; a songwriter whose subjects and characters are often drawn from the local, the historical and the colloquial, yet have a timelessness to them, his music echoing with voices past, present and future.  

Richard Dawson, the black-humoured bard of Newcastle, returns to release his sixth solo album 2020.  Where its critically-acclaimed predecessor Peasant (2017) gave a voice to the citizens of the ancient early medieval northern kingdom of Bryneich via a set of narratives as bawdy as Chaucer and as epic and bloody as Beowulf, 2020 is an utterly contemporary state-of-the-nation study, that uncovers an equally tumultuous and even bleaker time. Here is an island country in a state of flux; a society on the edge of mental meltdown. This is England today. 

Nuanced and challenging, the ten songs also conversely feature Dawson’s most melodic moments yet. Many of his musical trademarks – unexpected time signatures, strange flourishes and welcome digressions, sounds simultaneously harsh and honeyed, sensitive and abrasive – are in place, but more than ever such disparate components are corralled to create a highly focused collection that offers a thoroughly dire diagnosis of the UK, yet is shot through with flecks of hope. 

Dawson’s lyrics find magic and meaning in the minutiae of simple everyday life, each lyrical signifier adding to a unique perception that is one short step removed from reality – perhaps as a tactic to process and survive it - and as such he should be recognised as a visionary. If nothing else, 2020 confirms him as one of the most astute and original lyricists in music today. 

“This is absolutely brilliant on many, many levels, and further underlines why Richard Dawson is a true hero of British music: humane, hilarious and reaching for melodies no-one else does.” – Ben B-T, The Guardian

Uncut - 9/10
“2020 is, without a doubt, Dawson’s most direct album to date. Entirely self-played but ambitious in its palette and bold in its arrangements, it finds him adding new lucidity and sense of melody to his knotty and raucous take on folk music. It’s hard not to conclude that 2020 is the record we need right now: a state-f-a-nation address for a nation in a bit of a state.”

"At times deeply, painfully intimate, but also witty, bawdy, surreal, disquieting, nostalgic, brash and fearlessly individual" - The Quietus

Thursday 16th Sept 2021
Mammal Hands
Abbeydale Picture House, Sheffield​

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Consisting of saxophonist Jordan Smart, pianist Nick Smart and drummer and tabla player Jesse Barrett, Mammal Hands have forged a growing reputation for their hypnotic fusion of jazz and electronica and their pulsating live performances. Drawing on a shared love of electronic, contemporary classical, world, folk and jazz music, Mammal Hands take in influences including Pharoah Sanders, Gétachèw Mekurya, Terry Riley, Steve Reich and Sirishkumar Manji to create something exhilaratingly new. They appear tonight playing music from their new album Captured Spirts (Gondwana Records Sept 2020) alongside favourites from previous albums.

Nick Smart keyboards, Jesse Barrett drums and tabla, and Jordan Smart saxophones

“The semi-classical drums/sax/piano trio Mammal Hands mutate into a high-volume rave act" - The Guardian

Support comes from Caoilfhionn Rose (Gondwana Records)

Mammal Hands Sheffield

11th March 2020
Neil Campbell / Liz Hanks & Michael Walsh 
​
The Merlin Theatre
Meadow Bank Road, Sheffield, S11 9AH

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Neil Campbell

The music of Liverpool classical guitarist, composer and multi-instrumentalist Neil Campbell draws on elements of contemporary classical, progressive rock, jazz and other musical styles. His output includes pieces for solo guitar, guitar and cello, songs, instrumental pieces for varied instrumentation and choral music. He has produced around twenty albums including three CDs of solo guitar music Through the Looking Glass (2003), Night Sketches (2004) and Tabula Rasa Suite (2014), along with a book of his compositions for solo classical guitar. 

His solo performances often involve him using loops and other technology to expand the sound and scope of what one performer can do with the classical guitar. As a soloist he has performed in the UK and Europe, and has been a regular performer at the International Guitar Festival of Great Britain. He particularly enjoys playing in ‘special’ venues and has performed solo concerts in spaces such as Union Chapel (London), Lancaster Priory, Birkenhead Priory, Sheffield Cathedral, Bishops House (Sheffield), Liverpool Central Library, John Ryland’s Library (Manchester), Chetham’s School of Music Library (Manchester) and St Lukes (Bombed Out) Church (Liverpool). In October 2013 took part in the legendary Irish Sea Sessions at Liverpool Philharmonic Hall and at Queen Elizabeth Hall, London. He has recently toured North West venues with a refreshed version of his piece Ghost Stories - A Night Opera for soprano, guitar, soundscape and visual projections.

'One of the best acoustic guitar players of our time’ – Jon Neudorf, Sea of Tranquility

‘music of serious quality and distinction’ – Tom Robinson, BBC 6 Music

‘The best guitar playing I have heard for a long long time’ – Victor Wooten, bass player

‘an outstanding guitarist whose originality of thought makes him far more than just another gifted purveyor of finger acrobatics’ - Classical Guitar Magazine

‘a man whose fingers have the ability to harness any imaginable sound in any given style’ – Sean Bradbury, Getintothis


Liz Hanks

Having always been inspired by folk and world music Liz has performed and recorded with a number of eminent folk musicians, including Martin Simpson, Kate Rusby, Jon Boden, Maire Ni Chatasaigh and Chris Newman. 

Liz is a co-director of the 'Up North Session Orchestra' and is in demand as a session musician. Album credits include Richard Hawley, Paul Heaton (The Beautiful South), Duane Eddy, The Longpigs, Ben Ottewell (Gomez) and The Courteeners. She has performed live with international artists including Smokey Robinson, Edwyn Collins, Richard Hawley, Wayne Hussey (The Mission), Neil Finn Amy MacDonald and The Charlatans. For the last 2 years Liz has been the solo cellist for Liam Gallagher’s UK and European tours culminating in performances at the 2018 Brit Awards and this year at Glastonbury Festival. 

Liz is also a keen improviser and has been involved with many theatre, dance and film projects. In 2018 performed at the Yorkshire Silent Film Festival, improvising to silent films alongside the pianist Neil Brand. 

This year Liz recorded a solo cello score composed by Anthony Weeden for the Laos film ‘The Long Walk’ which premiered at the Venice and Toronto Film Festivals

The collaboration with Michael Walsh began in 2016 (after Liz discovered they were neighbours by hearing his playing over the garden wall!) and has been inspired and encouraged by Michael to experiment using cello in a variety of traditional and contemporary
folk styles. 

Michael Walsh

Born in Manchester and raised in Stockport,England Michael Walsh grew up learning Sligo style flute playing from Marian Egan & Tony Ryan.

He is a Tutor and Doctoral Candidate at the University of Sheffield Department of Music specialising in Asturian Folk and Irish Traditional Music.

His new album, Quarehawk, was released in August 2019 and launched at Cambridge Folk Festival. Recorded in Manchester with Michael McGoldrick and in Sheffield with Tom Wright and Sam Proctor, the album is a mix of his Irish and English influences as well Asturian music he learnt during his doctoral research. He will be playing flutes, whistles and hulusi as well as singing two songs. The album showcases repertoire learnt growing up in the Manchester Irish community and documents the emotions he went through after his father died tragically during the recording.

In 2016 he was a finalist in the prestigious Seán Ó Riada Gold Medal Competition in Cork. He is a former All Britain Senior Flute Champion and has performed across Europe and in The United States with Trad Irish Groups, Céilí Bands and Theatre Productions as well as being featured on the Soundtrack to ‘The Irish Empire’ TV Series Commissioned by Radio Telefís Eireann/BBC Northern Ireland/SBS AUSTRALIA.

"This album moved me like no other" Eileen McCabe, Irish Music Magazine

"Spectacular" Lynette Fay, BBC Radio Ulster. 

“Beautiful” Ruth Smith, RTE Radio 1

"Unwavering boldness" Allan Wilkinson, Northern Sky. 

"Brave, groundbreaking and experimental" Nicky Crewe, Penny Black.

"A striking coherence across a multiplicity of influences and styles" Dave McNally, Folk Radio UK
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Neil Campbell Liz Hanks Michael Walsh

Friday 3rd April 2020 
Maya Youseff Trio
 Crucible Theatre Studio, Sheffield

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Damascus-born Maya Youssef is hailed as ‘the queen of the qanun’, a traditional Syrian 78-stringed plucked zither. Based on Arabic musical traditions, her innovative sound has echoes of everything from jazz to flamenco, infused with warmth, humour and optimism. She describes her debut album Syrian Dreams as her “personal journey through six years of war in Syria. I see the act of playing music as the opposite of death; it is a life and hope-affirming act.”

Maya has performed widely around the world, including at the BBC Proms, and is the winner of Arts Council England’s Exceptional Talent award and Songlines’ Newcomer Music Award 2018.
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Maya Youseff Trio

29th October 2020 
Idris Ackamoor ☥ The Pyramids
Crookes Social Club, Sheffield

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Alto and tenor saxophonist, multi-instrumentalist, composer, actor, and tap dancer, Idris Ackamoor is the founder and artistic director of the legendary jazz and world music ensemble.  Idris Ackamoor ☥ The Pyramids founded close to fifty years ago in 1972, dissolved in 1977, and then resurrected over 30 years later in 2007! Idris Ackamoor ☥ The Pyramids are charting new directions in the synthesis of world music and jazz influences into a unified innovative sound. 

Their last album, “AN ANGEL FELL", has been universally acclaimed as one of the best albums of 2018 by THE NEW YORK CITY JAZZ RECORD, RECORD COLLECTOR, THE QUIETUS Magazine, and ALL ABOUT JAZZ Magazine, to mention just a few. Continuing their musical odyssey, Idris Ackamoor ☥ The Pyramids will perform new music from the album release entitled, “SHAMAN!” Like each new release from Idris Ackamoor☥The Pyramids “SHAMAN!” will be a departure from any previous release in terms of style, concept, providing fresh new perspectives and energy.

Idris Ackamoor ☥ The Pyramids will also be touring with a new group of original, veteran and brand new members including Idris on alto and tenor saxophones, vocals, keyboards and percussions, Sandra Poindexter on acoustic and electric violins, vocals and percussions, Dr. Margaux Simmons on flutes, Bobby Cobb on guitar/effects, Gioele Pagliaccia on drums and percussions, Ruben Ramos on acoustic and electric bass, and other surprise guests (line
 up subject to change).

THE PYRAMIDS was founded close to FIFTY YEARS AGO in 1972! Saxophonist Ackamoor had originally left his hometown of Chicago to study music at Antioch College, Yellow Springs, Ohio, where his teachers numbered legendary pianist Cecil Taylor. Via the Antioch Abroad Program, Ackamoor landed a year’s study overseas in 1972, which allowed him, and two Antioch students to travel to Europe and Africa where he co — founded THE PYRAMIDS. The trip took in a musical spiritual journey up into Northern Ghana, the land of the Fra Fra of Bolgatanga and the Islam-influenced Dagomba in Tamale, where Ackamoor taped some field recordings. “We played with the King’s musicians in Tamale. I also undertook a healing ceremony in the bush of Bolgatanga with a Fra Fra traditional healer (a Juju Man).” Back in Yellow Springs, THE PYRAMIDS brought together all of the knowledge from their journey and released 2 independently produced albums including “LALIBELA” (1973), and “KING OF KINGS” (1974). After graduating, Idris and the band headed to Oakland, California and quickly met other musicians in the thriving San Francisco Bay Area music scene where they recorded their third album, “BIRTH/SPEED/MERGING” in 1976. The Pyramids
 played their last concert at the 1977 UC Berkeley Jazz Festival sharing the stage with vocalist Al Jarreau, and jazz legends Woody Shaw and Dexter Gordon.

Out of the blue, The Pyramids announced their return in 2007. “Around 2006 there was an increased interest in the 1970s music the band recorded with many requests from record labels to re-issue the early albums,” Ackamoor explains. “The Pyramids’ three LPs were showing up on eBay for high prices.” A Berlin booking agency began organizing European dates for the band and The Pyramids were fully back in business. The momentum has continued
 for the group with Ackamoor landing a Lifetime Achievement Award from Gilles Peterson at his Worldwide Awards in London.

“Like Fela and Sun Ra had a massive party and the whole world was invited. And everyone was blissed out and happy. All the time. Forever...” – Bleep.com

“This follow – up is nothing less than extraordinary...pure astral tripping.” – MOJO, July 2016 – Lois Wilson

“Ackamoor and friends have created a modern classic.. “...keep flipping this sensational LP until you’ve solved why you love it so much.” – MONOCLE, June 2016 – Robert Bound

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Idris Ackamoor & The Pyramids

7th February 2020 
Little Robots & Funland
 Regather, Sheffield

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Little Robots
First there was a bang. Then there was a clang and then all of a sudden out of the smoke three little robots appeared.... There's more than three of them and nothing robotic about their
 playing. This tight-knit collective born of the Seven Hills of Sheffield employ close harmony singing to draw the audience into their love of folk and blues.

"Little Robots are the most siren-like band I think I’ve seen". - Nat Johnson

"Through a steam-whistle of woman-powered vocals and eclectic instrumentation, Little Robots' full-blooded renditions of blues-folk originals feel immediately inclusive." - Diane Cluck

"Blending tight Appalachian vocal harmonies with ukulele strums and delicate rhythms, this Sheffield collective are a loveable bunch with a penchant for blues, bluegrass and folk" - Sam Walby, Now Then


FUNLAND
FUNLAND are Jim Baxter (singing, guitar) and Kate Wood (everything else). They joined forces in early 2019, sharing a love of melancholic pop songs from the 1980s and beyond, and combining complementary talents: melody and harmony, light and shade, words and pictures. They've been busy in the studio since then, working on some short musical stories, which they're excited to be bringing to an audience for the first time.
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Jim Ghedi at merlin Theatre Sheffield

21st November 2019 
Jim Ghedi & R.Loomes
​
The Merlin Theatre
Meadow Bank Road, Sheffield, S11 9AH

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Jim Ghedi produces an alternative take on classic folk ideas, exploring themes on landscape and history. Incorporating 6 & 12 string guitar composition, orchestral arrangements, Jazz and traditional folk song. MOJO magazine praised his most recent album A Hymn For Ancient Land by calling it “Melodically sublime and infused with tradition”, while The Financial Times said “This is landscape music… landscape art.”

Nature permeates through his music, the subtle use of the instruments (guitar, double bass, violin, cello, harp, trumpet, piano) and beauty of the arrangements create something both fluidly transient yet also deeply rooted to a sense of place.

★★★★☆MOJO - "Melodically sublime... although Ghedi's music is infused with tradition, it's very much experiencing the present"

★★★★☆ The Independent - "a raga-like texture of tingling drones and jaunty picking that recalls both John Fahey and the Penguin Cafe"

★★★★☆ The Financial Times - "This is landscape music, a close relative of landscape art."

★★★★☆ Uncut - "There's respect here, but no folkloric nostalgia...a delightful hybrid strain"

★★★★☆ Q - "a brilliant finger-picker and songwriter...shining a welcome light into an underrated genre"

Folk Radio UK - "a small masterpiece”

R.Loomes

R.Loomes is a Sheffield based solo musician crafting moody, atmospheric compositions with lots of big, dark spaces and drifting points of light. With haunting vocals and elegant guitar she makes music that, despite its minimal and often quiet content reaches hypnotic and mesmerising heights.
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Jim Ghedi at merlin Theatre Sheffield

26th September 2019
Manu Delago
​
The Abbeydale Picture House, 387 Abbeydale Road, Sheffield, S7 1FS

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After touring almost simultaneously around the globe with Björk, Anoushka Shankar, Olafur Arnalds & releasing his multi-award winning music & mountain film 'Parasol Peak‘, the Austrian grammy-nominated percussionist and composer presents his new album with a 9-piece-ensemble. Dream-like Handpan sounds meet energetic orchestral beats.

Trained in classical percussion, the highly acclaimed Austrian composer, ensemble leader and musician, Manu Delago is one of the leading exponents of the Handpan (or Hang). In 2011 he recorded for Björk's Biophilia album and has since been her touring drummer, playing three world tours with the Icelandic singer. In 2013, he started performing and writing music with the sitar-player Anoushka Shankar. For his work on her album 'Land of Gold' Manu Delago earned a Grammy nomination. The versatile percussionist has also been a touring member of The Cinematic Orchestra and Olafur Arnalds. As well as releasing four genre pushing studio records on Tru Thoughts and One Little Indian, Manu Delago has also written several compositions for choir and orchestra such as the 'Concertino Grosso' which he performed and recorded as soloist with the London Symphony Orchestra.

His last record Parasol Peak is a unique and awe-inspiring album and accompanying movie, in which Delago leads an ensemble of 7 musicians on a mountaineering expedition in The Alps. Along the way, the group perform a collection of brand-new compositions in different locations, at varying altitudes. Delago states the whole expedition as a big lesson in team spirit and ensemble playing.

Now he returns with a brand-new album and his biggest live show to date. Circadian (out 13th September via One Little Indian Records) takes the listener through the cycle of sleep stages, emulating REM, light sleep, deep sleep and an abrupt awakening. Delago was inspired by the concept of individual circadian rhythms, due in part to his own lack of sleep as an international touring musician.

For his first performance in Sheffield, Manu will bring his 9-piece orchestra ensemble featuring woodwind, brass, percussion and strings. Expect a mesmerising performance from this world class musician.

“A masterful and sensitive musician”–The Telegraph

“Virtuoso”–The Times
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Manu Delago Sheffield 26th September

18th July 2019
Catrin Finch & Seckou Keita
The Abbeydale Picture House, 387 Abbeydale Road, Sheffield, S7 1FS

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This sublime, critically acclaimed and multi award-winning collaboration between two adventurous virtuoso musicians - Welsh harpist Catrin Finch and Senegalese kora player Seckou Keita - delivers a stunning exhibition of world-class musicianship. Drawing deep on their own diverse traditions and transforming them with remarkable synergy, Catrin and Seckou have built a formidable reputation for their extraordinary performances.

Following the huge success of their debut release Clychau Dibon back in 2013, their long-awaited second album SOAR launched in April 2018, followed by major UK tours in spring and autumn of 2018. The album takes flight on the wings of the osprey, the magnificent bird of prey recently returned to Wales after centuries of absence, which makes its annual 3,000-mile migration from the coasts of West Africa to the estuaries of Wales, soaring like music and dreams over man-made borders, on its innate and epic journey of endurance.

Entrancing, mesmerising, intricate and ethereal, this is remarkable music and a thrilling live experience.
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“It’s rare that you hear something so beautifully conceived and performed” 
5* SIMON BROUGHTON, LONDON EVENING STANDARD 
(LIVE REVIEW, UNION CHAPEL, 12 MAY)

“...Bitchin” 
IGGY POP, BBC 6 MUSIC

“Hypnotic and ethereal, SOAR is a 
unique marriage of cultures” 
NEIL SPENCER, THE OBSERVER 
****4 STARS

“Sublimely beautiful” 
MARK RADCLIFFE, BBC RADIO 2

“Absolutely hypnotic” 
GUY GARVEY, BBC 6 MUSIC
Catrin Finch & Seckou Keita
Catrin & Seckou

16th May 2019
Milly Blue, Rhiannon Scutt, Sarah Johns Music Party
The Merlin Theatre, Meadow Bank Road, Nether Edge, Sheffield, S11 9AH

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For our first event at the stunning Merlin Theatre, we bring you three outstanding female singer songwriters for a night of musical delight and intrigue:

Milly Blue
Based in Berlin, Milly started her musical career as a vocalist for Basement Jaxx whilst making dreamful pop music as a solo outfit. Soulful, wonky and sometimes shoegazey, Milly Blue blends loop pedal, electric guitar, kalimba and whatever else is lying around to produce her signature eclectic style. She has since worked with the likes of Andrew Hung of Fuck Buttons fame, Guillemots, Noah Slee and recently toured with Scissor Sisters, Gary Numan, Little Dragon and L7. 
Influences include Emily King, Sonic Youth, Talking Heads and Milly Blue is inspired by dramatic sky-scapes over Tempelhofer Feld, cobalt blue and the kindness of strangers. 
Her first solo album is due for release later this year.

Rhiannon Scutt
In live performance, Rhiannon’s ability to captivate an audience is only superseded by her ability to deliver a line that can break your heart in an instant. An entirely untrained guitarist, Rhiannon’s unique style was born from a combination of strong influences as she taught herself through her teenage years. You can hear the insistent high speed finger-picking she learned from Lindsey Buckingham, the fearlessness with which she hits a chord at the pique of a crescendo and the percussive upstrokes from Ani DiFranco. Both of these are tempered by her knack of knowing exactly how to use dynamics to her advantage as a solo performer. 


Sarah John's Music Party
Songwriter and performance artist, Sarah Johns Music Party brings you her stripped back, DIY spirituals.
Recalling the purity of Vashti Bunyan, rawness of Scout Niblett, musicality of Tune-Yards, and with a belief in ritual theatre, expect heartfelt incantations that invite the different characters of Sarah Johns Music Party to come out and meet the audience. It is both a meditative and theatrical show.
Starting her career in Hull with music projects, Mr Beasley and Coolfun, Sarah is now living in London where she works as a solo artist and collaborator in both the folk and performance art scenes.

"Absolutely spellbinding" - Lauren Laverne - BBC 6 Music 'Headphone Moment' // a ‘Release of the Week’ – Rough Trade East
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Milly Blue

16th March 2019
The Hills Are Alive!
Regather
57-59 Club Garden Road, Sheffield, S11 8BU

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Flying Donkey Events takes an excursion away from the Picture Hou​se to bring you three top quality acts in an intimate setting at Regather.  All profits will go towards the anti-fracking movement.

A project born out of a late night imagining, of drunken nostalgia, a love of raving and a desire to create something weird and wonderful for friends. Now realised through the mediums of song, spoken word, conversational poetry (what even is that?), Dub, Techno, a Scouse accent, musical theatre, guitar, dance, strobe, projections, fiddle, Folk music, recorded soundscapes, film, friendship and dodgy rap...

Penny is a songwriter and vocalist with a transatlantic sound. Performing original songs drawn from her tongue-in-cheek, insightful interpretation of everyday life.

Winkie Thin was born in the wrong decade. He decided to stick to performing 1930s Paris cafe music on his accordion and other equally old stuff on his ukelele.
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The HIlls Are Alive

29TH NOVEMBER 2018
Lau
The Abbeydale Picture House, 387 Abbeydale Road, Sheffield, S7 1FS

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Scottish folk pioneers Lau return with their first new music since 2015’s ‘The Bell That Never Rang’ (Album of The Year - The Herald, ***** The Guardian).

Premiering at Edinburgh International Festival August 18 2018 - at one of their now legendary self curated Lau-Land events - the new music was written in Shetland and highlights the continuation of Lau’s experimental approach to folk music with increasingly minimal arrangements in song form which include the themes of togetherness and forgiveness.

Among the new songs is ‘Scapa Flow 1919' written for the BBC Radio Ballads series around the experience of the stranded German sailors leading up to the scuttling of the Grand Fleet at the end of WW1.

As always with Lau there’s plenty of progression on a purely sonic level too. Their new music continues to explore the marriage of acoustic and electronic sources and the arrangements continue down the path of intertwining instrumental music and song.

Lau is a trio that put a lot of thought into the live experience and presentation, something anyone who shared in Lau’s acclaimed Decade tour will know, they have fresh theatrical ideas for Lau’s 2018-2019 tour.
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Lau - Flying Donkey Events - Sheffield

LAU | THE BELL THAT NEVER RANG (EXTENDED CUT) from David Liddell - DOP on Vimeo.

10TH OCTOBER 2018
​​Matthew Halsall & The Gondwana Orchestra​
​
The Abbeydale Picture House, 387 Abbeydale Road, Sheffield, S7 1FS

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Manchester based composer, producer, trumpeter, DJ and founder of Gondwana Records, Matthew Halsall is one of UK’s most creative talents. 

A gifted trumpeter with a beautiful, expressive tone, his music has explored his love of the transcendental spiritual and modal jazz of Alice Coltrane and Pharoah Sanders, as well as more contemporary dance music and electronica. 

Tonight’s rare UK concert features regular collaborators pianist Taz Modi, bassist Gavin Barras and sublime jazz harpist Tori Handlsey. Drums TBA. Expect to hear music from Matthew’s last two albums, Into Forever and When The World Was One alongside new music.

Support comes from Caoilfhionn (pronounced Keelin) Rose a supremely talented singer-songwriter based in Manchester. Expect beguiling originals driven by Rose’s eclectic taste in music, with influences ranging from The Mummers to Polly Paulusma, Broadcast to Rachel Sermanni, Peter Broderick and many more. Her Gondwana Records debut recording Awaken will be released this Autumn.
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Matthew Halsall
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