One of the most exciting collaborations in folk music, June Tabor and Oysterband, resumes this autumn for a major tour. The 2019 ‘Fire and Fleet’ Tour will take in 15 dates across the UK this Autumn, including shows at the majestic Union Chapel, Islington, Manchester’s Royal Northern College of Music, and more.
With separate distinguished careers to pursue, their appearances together are necessarily rare, so this is a must-see opportunity to catch them live. The majesty and control of June’s voice combined with the passion of John Jones’ singing and the dynamic drive of Oysterband to illuminate dark traditional ballads and contemporary classics alike – witness their moving duet version of Joy Division’s ‘Love Will Tear Us Apart’, widely regarded as the best-ever reinterpretation of that much-covered track. Songs from their seminal 1990 album ‘Freedom & Rain’ and their multi-award-winning 2011 follow-up ‘Ragged Kingdom’ will, of course, be featured, plus exciting new material.
June Tabor and Oysterband have provided far more than a heady mix of traditional ballads and contemporary songwriting. The album raises the spirit and tears at the soul in turn. It takes all the artists involved in new directions, each and every one of them revelling in the exploration of uncharted territory. The band have succeeded in creating something that, while instantly recognizable as June Tabor, fully representative of Oysterband, also becomes far more than the sum of its parts. With Ragged Kingdom as its basis, the forthcoming tour should be a resounding success and I would look forward to hearing, and seeing June Tabor revel a little longer in the less structured vocal performances she’s given here. My only disappointment is that they won’t be coming far enough north for me to enjoy it. Neil McFadyen (Folk Radio UK) on Ragged Kingdom
Ian Telfer of Oysterband said, “We’re delighted to be touring once more with June – a good friend, a great singer of course, and an extraordinary interpreter of songs. (And we have a few new ones for you!)”. June Tabor herself said, “Strong songs, energy, tension, and a fierce, almost tribal audience response – Oysterband at its finest….and I get to stand at the front. Yes!”.
Rolling Stone magazine described this pairing as, “A marriage made in heaven”, whilst Elvis Costello said, “If you can’t appreciate June Tabor, you should just stop listening to music”. These live dates are indeed a rare chance for fans to check in with wonderful artists doing what they do best. Don’t miss them.
Tickets for all dates are on sale now and available from https://botw.ticketline.co.uk/oysterband-and-june-tabor
UK TOUR DATES 2019
THU 24 OCTOBER — NORWICH OPEN
FRI 25 OCTOBER — BRISTOL ST GEORGE’S
SAT 26 OCTOBER — SALISBURY CITY HALL
SUN 27 OCTOBER — LEICESTER DE MONTFORT HALL
WED 30 OCTOBER — CARDIFF TRAMSHED
THU 31 OCTOBER — SOUTHPORT ATKINSON
FRI 01 NOVEMBER — LEEDS TOWN HALL
SAT 02 NOVEMBER — THE GATESHEAD SAGE
SUN 03 NOVEMBER — WARWICK ARTS CENTRE
FRI 08 NOVEMBER — MANCHESTER RNCM
SAT 09 NOVEMBER — CLITHEROE GRAND
TUE 12 NOVEMBER — CHELTENHAM TOWN HALL
WED 13 NOVEMBER — EXETER TOWN HALL
THU 14 NOVEMBER — ISLINGTON UNION CHAPEL
FRI 15 NOVEMBER — SEVENOAKS STAG THEATRE