This year marks 200 years since the Peterloo Massacre when soldiers on horseback cut through a crowd of protestors in Manchester killing 18 people including 4 women and a child. The protestors were demanding social and political reform, a theme that has captured many the heart of a folk singer through the ages. Among some of those marking the anniversary are Peter Coe, Brian Peters and Laura Smyth with The Road to Peterloo. Also marking the occasion in celebrating Songs of Social Protest are songwriter Steve Knightley of Show of Hands whose new album we recently announced and historian Michael Wood.
Knightley and Wood are presenting a unique performance of Songs of the People: Music from the English Radical Tradition at the Sam Wanamaker Theatre at the Globe in London on 8th September.
The show celebrates one of England’s great musical traditions that has been incredibly influential in world music, especially in American folk and blues, from the Delta blues and Muddy Waters to Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen – Songs of Social Protest.
Michael will provide the background and historical context and Steve will perform songs from the Great Famine and the Peasants Revolt in the 14th century, the English Civil War, the Diggers and the Levellers, from Peterloo, the Chartists, and World War One, right up to the present day. These songs are the sound track to the People’s History; songs that shine a light on the lives of ordinary men and women through times of struggle and suffering, fighting for the rights that are ours today.
The show also features the virtuoso fiddle of Adam Summerhayes and the haunting vocals of Kirsty Merryn.
Songs of the People: Music from the English Radical Tradition Tickets here: https://www.shakespearesglobe.com/whats-on/songs-of-the-people/