It was a series of happy accidents that led to Maddy Prior and the Carnival Band being thrown together for a Radio 2 Christmas broadcast. Such a success was this pairing that it has become an ongoing concern, both in the festive season and beyond, resulting in numerous sell-out tours and six albums.
A mixture of early music, hymnal settings, ribald reeling, trouser-bursting exuberance and quite a lot of accomplished musicianship, the union has led to a clutch of albums celebrating Yuletide, the works of Methodist composers, and the Bacchanalian pleasures of life.
“I love working with the chaps,” Maddy muses, “it’s just so different and they’re so off the wall. Coming from a folk background I can relate to a lot of their dances and early music, but anything less like serious academic concerts when we tour you can’t imagine. When we go out at Christmas, it’s all streamers, balloons and lunacy. But behind it, there’s a lot of talent.”
MADDY PRIOR
A hugely influential figure in British folk music, Maddy Prior has made 40 plus albums in as many years, and in 2001 was awarded an MBE in recognition of services to folk music.
Maddy came to international prominence as the voice of folk-rock pioneers Steeleye Span. Through 45 years with Steeleye, Maddy kept up a variety of extra-curricular activities, most notably The Silly Sisters (with June Tabor), and since 1987, The Carnival Band. Maddy’s reputation as a solo artist and songwriter has gone from strength to strength, with regular tours in the UK and abroad and several highly-acclaimed albums.
THE CARNIVAL BAND
The Carnival Band have been together for over twenty-five years. Highly accomplished musicians, the band, and in particular leader Andy Watts have a burning desire to restore energy into the medieval and renaissance music they tackle. Dry, academic and authentic they are definitely not! Mixing ancient, modern and ethnic instruments, their emphasis on celebration, festivity, irreverence and exuberance has earned them the description “Henry VIII’s rock ‘n’ roll band”.
Between them, The Carnival Band play over 25 instruments from shawms, lutes, and Flemish bagpipes to more familiar instruments such as violin, clarinet and guitar.
Appealing to folk, classical and medieval audiences alike, they have taken the spirit of carnival to venues from village halls to cathedrals, and have featured on Classic FM as well as BBC Radio 1,2,3 and 4!
The Carnival Band are Andy Watts, Steno Vitalie, Giles Lewin and Andrew (Jub) Davis and Guy Schlom.
Maddy Prior And The Carnival Band: Carols & Capers Tour 2018
Sun 2nd December – The Apex, Bury St Edmunds
Mon 3rd December – Palace Theatre, Southend on Sea
Tues 4th December – St George’s, Bristol
Wed 5th December – Borough Theatre, Abergavenny
Fri 7th December – The Atkinson, Southport
Sat 8th December – The Forum, Barrow In Furness
Sun 9th December – The Platform, Morecambe
Tues 11th December – CAST, Doncaster
Wed 12th December – The Sage, Gateshead
Fri 14th December – The Haymarket, Basingstoke
Sat 15th December – Tivoli Theatre, Wimbourne
Sun 16th December – The Stables, Milton Keynes
Mon 17th December – The Capitol, Horsham
Wed 19th December – Town Hall, Birmingham
Thurs 20th December – Town Hall, Cheltenham
Fri 21st December – St John The Evangelist, Oxford
Sat 22nd December – Cadogan Hall, London
For more details and ticket links click here.