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.
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.
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”
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”
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
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
“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
“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
“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
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
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.
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.
“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.
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.
Bandcamp
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.
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."
‘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."
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
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
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.
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.
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).
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).
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
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
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
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
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).
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).
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
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
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
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
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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
Support comes from Chloe Foy
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
"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
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!
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!
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
“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
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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
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
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11th March 2020
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Friday 3rd April 2020
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29th October 2020
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7th February 2020
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21st November 2019
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26th September 2019
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18th July 2019
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16th May 2019
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16th March 2019
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29TH NOVEMBER 2018
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10TH OCTOBER 2018
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