Cecil Sharp House are once again looking forward to hosting music-loving audiences in a packed Autumn/winter season, starting September 2021.
From September 2021, Cecil Sharp House throws open its doors to welcome a suitably stellar season of folk artists.
Performances include John McCusker, who is currently celebrating his 30th anniversary as a professional musician and Thea Gilmore who recently announced Afterlight, the lead single for which (Of All The Violence I Have Known) premiered on Folk Radio here. This will be her first-ever completely solo tour.
Now based in Edinburgh, Irish folk singer Heidi Talbot will be performing alongside celebrated songwriter Boo Hewerdine. While Somerset’s Kitty MacFarlane will be performing her beautiful nature-inspired songs, then won so many over with the launch of her debut album Namer of Clouds…”an album to savour…full of old wisdom and bubbling over with new ideas.”
At the end of last year, LAU treated us to their Folk Songs EP, “…all traditional tunes delivered with the sensitivity and superb musicianship long associated with the band.” Here, Kris Drever, Martin Green and Aidan O’Rouke will treat the audience to a rare and entirely acoustic evening. And if all that wasn’t enough, there’s an entire Cecil Sharp House festival hosted by none other than Spiers & Boden. As recently announced on Folk Radio, John Spiers & Jon Boden have reunited and announced a brand new 13 track album, ‘Fallow Ground’.
Due to COVID, some of these dates are celebrating album releases that were released a while back. They include English folk trio Leveret, featuring Andy Cutting on melodeon, Sam Sweeney on fiddle and Rob Harbron on concertina. They finally get the opportunity to celebrate their Variations Live album, for which we interviewed Rob Harbron here.
Another artist who has been patiently waiting to tour is Leveret member Sam Sweeney who released Unearth Repeat in March 2020 (read our album review here). When talking to Folk Radio’s Glenn Kimpton about the album, he said, “I wanted to make an album and a band that can do gigs and make a massive sound with bass and two guitars. I want to say that this is English music and we can do a fantastic festival set and make you very happy. I don’t think there’s been a band since Bellowhead like that and whilst I’m not comparing myself to Bellowhead because this is not a party album like theirs, I’d like to think the spirit of joy is there and people can get up and have a wicked time.” Read the full interview here.
Similarly, in October last year, The Rheingans Sisters released their fourth album, ‘Receiver’, which we reviewed here. Thomas Blake concluded his review: “The final waltz that tops off the album is delicate and endearingly humble, a paean to the joys of simplicity. The Rheingans Sisters have earned the right to embrace that simplicity after all the brilliant complexity and sparkling diversity on show. In Receiver they have created a masterpiece of modern folk music as well as a captivating physical artefact.” After selecting the album as one of his Top 10 albums of 2020, he added, “Anyone who thinks there is a lack of innovation or experimentation in the Brit folk scene needs to hear this album pronto.” The same applies to seeing them perform their music live. Don’t miss them.
Another new release came from members of the Alden Patterson and Dashwood trio – Christina Alden & Alex Patterson shared their first duo release Hunter earlier this year, an album inspired by the natural world which Johnny Whalley reviewed here.
There are also some new releases on the horizon…
In March, we shared the news of a change in the line-up of power-folk-trio The Trials of Cato as band member Will Addison left the band to be replaced by multi-talented instrumentalist and singer Polly Bolton of The Magpies. We shared their new single and video Bedlam Boys here, so it will be interesting to hear their new material.
Another highly anticipated new release comes from Granny’s Attic with their fourth studio album, ‘The Brickfields’. We premiered their video for their lead single “Cruds & Cream/Jig From New Harmony” – a delightfully infectious upbeat couple of tunes.
There are a lot more gigs lined up; just look at the list below.
Although Cecil Sharp House is a much loved London venue, the English Folk Dance & Song Society based there is very much a nation-wide organisation, meaning that you can also enjoy a number of inspired projects over the summer months which the society supports, taking place outside the building – and beyond the capital too. This year, the amazingly accomplished rising stars of the National Youth Folk Ensemble finally get to meet in real life again and take centre stage at Purbeck Folk Festival (19th August) and with a live-streamed gig from Cecil Sharp House (23rd August). EFDSS Artistic Director, Katy Spicer, will host performances by bursary recipients at Devon’s Sidmouth Festival (30th July – 6th August). You can also enjoy the English Folk Dance & Song Society’s contribution to the Cubbit Sessions, a free music festival in King’s Cross (Coal Drops Yard – 11th – 22nd August).
Cecil Sharp House Autumn/Winter 2021
Tom Moore & Archie Churchill-Moss – Wednesday 22 September
Two brilliant players and innovators in traditional folk, Moore & Moss’ finely-crafted arrangements wield a rare potency.
John McCusker and Friends – Thursday 23 September
In celebration of his 30th Anniversary as a professional musician, the stellar John McCusker
performs with Ian Carr, Sam Kelly, Helen McCabe & Toby Shaer.
Saul Rose and Maclaine Colston – Wednesday 29 September
Mac and Saul isn’t the name of a new pasta dish; it is in fact a glorious combination of melodeon and hammered dulcimer.
Thea Gilmore – Thursday 30 September
With three Top 40 entries on the UK albums chart to her name, Singer-songwriter Thea Gilmore takes to the road for her first-ever tour performing completely solo.
The Rheingans Sisters – Thursday 7 Oct
The Rheingans Sisters make playful, powerful and richly connecting music that is wholly contemporary while deeply anchored in folk traditions.
Spiers and Boden Festival – Saturday 9 Oct
If you’re in need of some good news right now, here it is. After 10 years of speculation, English folk’s best-loved duo are back together and working on new material inspired by a new album, ‘Fallow Ground’. The Festival includes a family ceilidh, interview by legendary radio producer/presenter Matthew Bannister, an afternoon session and evening concert.
Jack Rutter – Wednesday 13 Oct
The respected and fast-rising folk singer, guitarist and multi-instrumentalist from West Yorkshire. One to watch.
Leveret – Thursday 14 Oct
A unique collaboration between three of England’s finest folk musicians.
Christina Alden & Alex Patterson – Wednesday 20 Oct
The main songwriting force behind award-winning folk trio Alden Patterson and Dashwood.
Kitty Macfarlane – Thursday 21 Oct
This October, Somerset’s Kitty Macfarlane returns to selected venues bringing her trademark tonic for the times we’re in.
Heidi Talbot & Boo Hewerdine – Saturday 23 Oct
Heidi Talbot was born in Ireland, became a folk star in the USA as a member of the Irish American band Cherish the Ladies and now lives in Edinburgh. She is joined here by long-time collaborator Ivor Novello award-nominated singer-songwriter Boo Hewerdine.
Salt House – Wednesday 27 Oct
Salt House is the Scottish powerhouse featuring Jenny Sturgeon, Ewan MacPherson and Lauren MacColl.
Grace Smith Trio – Wednesday 3 Nov
Wielding the distinct voices of fiddle, concertina, and double bass, The Grace Smith Trio
cast expressive musical forces into a dialogue between these three like-minded musicians.
Hannah James and Toby Kuhn – Thursday 4 Nov
Diverse, playful and hugely original performance.
Lau – Saturday 6 Nov
Named after an Orcadian word meaning ‘natural light’ for the first time in over a decade, this Scottish/English trio, LAU, comprising Kris Drever, Martin Green and Aidan O’Rouke, present an entirely acoustic tour.
Catrin Finch and Seckou Keita – Thursday 11 Nov
This sublime, critically acclaimed, and multi-award-winning collaboration between two adventurous virtuoso musicians deliver a stunning exhibition of world-class musicianship.
The Trials of Cato – Wednesday 17 Nov
The Trials of Cato are a dynamic BBC Radio 2 Folk Award-winning English/Welsh band originally formed in Beirut.
Granny’s Attic – Wednesday 24 Nov
A folk trio who play the tradition with verve, energy and their own inimitable style.
Sam Sweeney and Band – Saturday 27 Nov
Continuing his hugely successful solo career, Unearth Repeat celebrates a new direction.
Belshazzar’s Feast – Thursday 9 Dec
A much loved Christmas show that mixes traditional folk music, seasonal material, stirring
in classical, pop and music hall, all topped off with audience participation and lashings of humour.
A Celtic Christmas with Calan – Wednesday 15 Dec
Celebrate the yuletide season with bagpipes, fiddles, harp, step dancing, Welsh style!
A Winter Union – Thursday 16 Dec
It’s an early Christmas treat and a perfect seasonal music present from a group featuring Jade Rhiannon (The Willows), Gilmore and Roberts, Hannah Saunders & Ben Savage.
Freedom to Roam – Saturday 18 Dec
A unique concert (& album launch) in aid of the Born Free Foundation, where folk meets classical via Africa, Scotland and India. Crossing borders, breaking boundaries.
The Young ‘uns – Wednesday 22 Dec
Three time winners of the prestigious BBC Folk Awards, County Durham’s The Young’uns are currently one of the hottest properties on the UK Folk and Acoustic scene.
More details and ticket links are here: https://www.efdss.org/cecil-sharp-house