Kings Place, London, will be hosting folk music from the core to cutting edge this winter (8-10 Decemeber) with Roots & Branches. This is a great celebration of British folk with a stellar line-up including Boys of the Lough, Emily Portman Trio, Emily Smith Band, Alistair Anderson, Dan Walsh & Will Pound.
The event will take place over four days:
Scotland’s Finest: Emily Smith Band, Chris Stout and Catriona McKay
Thursday, 8 December 2011 – 7:30pm:
Emily Smith’s crystal clear vocals have gained her worldwide attention, her last album Traiveller’s Joy (read our review) showed her worthy folk credentials and established her place as a leading folk celebrity.
‘Smith deserves to become yet another new folk celebrity.’
The Guardian
Chris Stout is one of Scotland’s finest fiddle players as well as being a fine composer. He was recently asked by the Royal Scottish National Orchestra to compose a piece of music especially for them (read about it here).
Catriona Mackay was described by the Guardian as the ‘The harpist of the 21st Century’. Her music is progressive and cutting edge and her collaborations as well as her solo work are a joy to listen to.
The Boys of the Lough
Friday, 9 December 2011 – 7:30pm
The Boys of the Lough should need no introduction. The line-up has changed over the years although founding member Cathal Mc’Connell still remains. The combination of fine Irish and Scottish traditional musicians has been a constant as has the straight cuttting traditional music. The line up today still reflects the Irish/Scots crossover with a slightly larger Irish contingent. The band now features: Cathal (Kerry, Ireland), Dave Richardson (Northumberland), Kevin Henderson (Shetlands), Brendan Begley (Kerry, Ireland), Garry O’Briain (Clare, Ireland).
Promotional Video from 2009
Emily Portman Trio: Old Stories with New Skin
Friday, 9 December 2011 – 8:00pm
This will be a great night with the central theme of old stories and using traditional story-telling techniques to address today’s world. Emily Portman is joined by Lucy Farrell and harpist Rachel Newton (The Shee). In addition they will be joined by Christi Andropolis for that transatlantic splash of colour. Christi offers diversity and appeal with her combination of delta blues, Appalachian tunes, Scottish and English fiddle.
Alistair Anderson & Annie Whitehead: Airplay
Saturday, 10 December 2011 – 7:30pm
Legendary concertina player Alastair Anderson is joined by jazz trombonist Annie Whitehead to explore of the jazz/folk interface with Chris Stout (fiddle), Jennifer Maidman (electric guitar) and Roy Dodds (percussion). The performance is a revival of Airplay which toured to great acclaim in 2003.
Alastair performing with Richard Thompson
The evening will also feature Will Pound and Dan Walsh who have been building a big name for themselves on the British folk circuit with their incredible harmonica / banjo duet. They are incredibly talented and make their skill look so simple…
Will and Pound at EFDSS
Tickets
For tickets and more information click here.