Scottish folk singer Emily Smith and New Zealand-born Jamie McClennan celebrate 15 years of making music together in 2017. With UK dates throughout the year, their anniversary tour kicks off this month with a run of English shows (see dates below).
Having spent much of 2016 off the road (with Emily on maternity leave) the couple have taken time to focus on writing new material with an album release planned for 2018. The tour showcases a big new sound for the duo with originals by McClennan and reworked traditional songs from Smith paired with some of their favourites from the past 15 years.
Meeting in 2002 when McClennan moved from NZ to Scotland, fiddle player Jamie soon became an integral part of Emily’s sound, taking on the role of lead guitar and backing vocals and producing several of her albums. They have performed throughout Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Russia and North America with their music firmly rooted in the roots idiom drawing on influences from the folk tradition, Americana and beyond. Emily’s emotive voice lifts souls with its simple beauty. Paired with McClennan’s sensitive accompaniment and rich harmonies they are one of the most vibrant duos on the UK folk scene today.
ANNIVERSARY TOUR DATES
MAY:
FRI 19TH – SHREWSBURY, Walker Theatre, Theatre Severn
SAT 20TH – NEWBURY, Arlington Theatre
SUN 21ST – HITCHIN, Folk Club, Sun Hotel
MON 22ND – COLCHESTER, Arts Centre
JUNE:
THURS 1st – SOUTHPORT, The Atkinson
FRI 2ND – SHEFFIELD, Beehive Folk Club
SAT 3RD – BURY, The Met
FRI 16TH – PEEBLES, Eastgate Arts Centre
SUN 25TH – SOLAS FESTIVAL
JULY:
FRI 7TH – NEWTON STEWART & MINNIGAFF TRADITIONAL MUSIC FESTIVAL
SUN 9TH – STONEHAVEN FOLK FESTIVAL
SEPTEMBER:
FRI 8TH – LANGHOLM, Buccleuch Centre
FRI 15TH – GREENOCK, The Beacon Arts Centre
TUES 19TH – GLASGOW, Live at The Star
FRI 22ND – INVERNESS, Eden Court
SAT 23RD – STIRLING, The Tolbooth