How’s this for a great triple bill: Lucy Ward, Emily Portman and Emma Sweeney…under the collective tour banner of Womenfolk. Each are riding their own crest of a wave following their individual successes that have placed then in the folk limelight:
Lucy Ward released Single Flame earlier this year (read our Album of he Month review) which was certainly a musical milestone on which Simon was quick to point out in his review for FRUK that Lucy has “the gift” and it is this that made her album so “charged, emotive and utterly compelling”.
Emily Portman won ‘Best Original Song‘ at the BBC Folk Awards 2013 for ‘Hatchlings’, she has a busy time ahead under a project we’re very excited about: The Furrow Collective comprising of herself along with Rachel Newton, Lucy Farrell and Alasdair Roberts (more here). Anyone familiar with Emily will know she has a very distinctive and captivating brand of folklore inspired songs (and she’s from the South West, not far from where we’re based…another good reason in our book :) ).
Emma Sweeney by comparison is a relative newcomer but what an entrance she made with her debut album Pangea (read our review) which was launched at Celtic Connections 2013. As Johnny revealed in his FRUK review it’s no surprise that Michael McGoldrick was so bowled over by her talent.
So there you have it, an outstanding trio riding that wave, embracing the traditional whilst taking audiences down new and intriguing paths. All three paths are unique and it this approach that makes what they have to offer so promising. A brilliant one to catch so don’t miss out!
Womenfolk Tour Dates
30 Jan – Band on the Wall, Manchester
31 Jan – The Grand. Clitheroe
01 Feb – Capstone Theatre, LIverpool
05 Feb – The Forum, Barrow
06 Feb – The Arc, Stockton
http://www.emilyportman.co.uk/
http://www.emmasweeneymusic.com/
http://www.lucywardsings.com/