Listed below are a selection of gigs that are happening over the coming week, some will need no introduction such as the folk giants Richard Thompson and Martin Carthy. There are also some great newcomers such as Blackbeard’s Tea Party and Rosie Doonan & The Snapdragons. Not forgetting the oldtimers: Unstrung Heroes who collectively have over 100 years of playing experience between them, not to mention famous folky offspring!
For more artists and dates check our Gig Guide, brought to you in association with WeGotTickets who operate a paperless ticket system meaning you can book close to any event and not have to rely on tickets turning up in the post in time.
Rosie Doonan & The Snapdragons
on Wed, 20 Jul 2011 at Lowdham The Old Ship Inn 7.30pm Tickets
Richard Thompson
on Wed, 20 Jul 2011 at Dartford The Orchard Theatre 7.30 pm Tickets
Martin Carthy
on Wed, 20 Jul 2011 at London Green Note 7.00pm Tickets
Blackbeard’s Tea Party
on Fri, 22 Jul 2011 at Newcastle Cumberland Arms (Byker) 8.00pm Tickets
Playing traditional and contemporary folk songs, dance tunes and sea shanties, with traditional acoustic instruments alongside electric guitars, brass and an eclectic feast of international hand percussion, Blackbeard’s Tea Party have, for the past two years, been reviving and re-inventing the long since sidelined genre of Folk Rock. With six members, each one crazier than the last, this is one enormous, sing-along, stomp-along, dance-along monster of a folk band! With support from Newcastle folkies Slake and acoustic duo Chloe & Chris. Also a special appearance from rapper sword dancing team Star & Shadow.
Unstrung Heroes – Folk Roots
on Fri, 22 Jul 2011 at The B-Bar @ The Barbican Theatre 9.00pm Tickets
A Dartmoor-based folk band from a trio of old-timers, featuring Seth Lakeman’s dad Geoff, Steve Potter on violin and mandolin and Peter Acty on guitar and banjo. Unstrung Heroes have between them over 100 years of playing experience, not to mention thousands of gigs between them. These “old timers” offer a wealth of musical expertise in many forms.
Harpeth Rising
on Mon, 25 Jul 2011 at London Green Note 7:00pm Tickets
This quartet brings an exciting and distinctive sound to the Americana genre.” With a banjo and fiddle, you might think they’re traditional bluegrass, but think again: cello and hand drums round out the group, creating a truly new sound. A little bit bluegrass, a little bit folk, a little bit classical and whole lot of original, Harpeth Rising is a band to watch.
The Spooky Men’s Chorale
on Wed, 27 Jul 2011 at Sevenoaks The Stag Theatre 7.30 pm Tickets
John Spillane In Concert
on Wed, 27 Jul 2011 at Belfast Black Box 7.30pm Tickets
Twice winner of the meteor award in the best folk/trad category, John Spillane has toured the country and the world spreading joy with a mix of melodic tunes, entertaining stories and poetic lyrics. Described as ‘one of the truest Irish voices of his generation’ by Irish music magazine, Spillane truly embodies the Celtic spirit. The only thing that’s for sure is that whether from the emotive tunes he whisks you on a journey with or his dynamic playful Cork wit, at the end of a John Spillane show there won’t be a dry eye in the house.