Towards the end of last year, Band of Burns released their first studio album ‘The Thread‘ which was recorded at Watercolour Studios in Ardgour, Scotland. The album followed up to their earlier Live at Union Chapel which wonderfully captured the band’s onstage energy and exemplary musicianship.
The project is by no means a small affair, featuring 12 top-class musicians…to quote from David Weir’s review:
Musical director Alastair Caplin (Violin / Viola / Keys / Vocals) seems something of a common thread himself, tying many of the musicians here together. He performs with the gypsy-swinging Langan Band, who’s members John Langan (Guitar / Cajon / Vocals) and David Tunstall (Double Bass / Border Pipes / Mandolin) are a vital part of the Burns project. Ewan Macdonald (Violin / Cittern / Mandolin) and Lewis Murray (Violin / Viola) of Caplin’s pan-Celtic passion-project, 58* North also join The Odd Beats’ Dila Vardar (Bells / Vocals). Vardar’s exotic blend of ‘Turkish turbo-folk’ works well within the mix, alongside the gifted flair of Liverpudlian player Mikey Kenney (Fiddle / Vocals).
Balladeers Adam Beattie (Guitar / Double Bass / Vocals) and Dominie Hooper (Cello / Vocals) also prove integral players, Beattie’s soft early-jazz vocal stylings and old-time bent a standout alongside Hooper’s lush, slick harmony arrangements. Hooper collaborators, Ellis Davies (Guitar) and Ríoghnach Connolly (Irish Flute / Whistle / Vocals) of the genre-defying Honeyfeet make up another part of the fold. Celebrated for her work with The Breath and Afro-Celt Sound System, BBC Folk Award nominee (now Winner) Ríoghnach’s rare presence makes itself well known across this collaboration. Connolly’s cousin, Bodhrán player Feilimí Devlin keeps it all locked in, with Matthew Organ dealing with live sound and completing our line-up.
Needless to say, the demand to catch them performing live is high and they have some big dates lined up this month as we draw close to Burns Night celebrations, kicking off with them returning to where it all started – Union Chapel, London, followed by them taking over the iconic venue Barrowlands in Glasgow as part of Celtic Connections before playing in Dumfries (Big Supper) and finally a return to Bristol where they last played in 2019.
They also recently played live on BBC Radio 3’s In Tune which you can listen to again here.
“A shimmering collection … that does full justice to the poet’s humane vision” The Times
Here they are performing Now Westlin Winds at Union Chapel back in 2017, featuring BBC Folk Award winner Ríoghnach Connolly.
Band of Burns Tour Dates
23 Jan – LONDON – UNION CHAPEL
24 Jan – GLASGOW – Barrowlands (Celtic Connections)
25 Jan – DUMFRIES – Big Burns Supper
29 Jan – BRISTOL – St Georges Hall
Ticket links and more details here: https://www.bandofburns.com/tour