It seems no time since The Magpies burst onto the UK folk scene, but they have already made a huge impact with their fresh brand of transatlantic neo-folk and have been ‘making waves wherever they play’ (Phil Beer, Show of Hands).
They released their debut album in 2020, which Folk Radio UK’s Johnny Whalley described as an album “…that intrigues and delights, packed with variety and first-class musicianship”. The Magpies are now set to release the second single from their upcoming album on 26th November – Colin’s Set. The trio are also set to return to the road in March with an 11-date UK tour, ahead of their album release in Autumn 2022 (details below).
Colin’s Set, a set of 3 instrumental tunes, was written by Holly Brandon (fiddle) as a birthday present for one of The Magpies’ most enthusiastic supporters – Colin. An avid supporter of live music and always the first to get up and dance at a show, the tunes were intended not only as a thank you to Colin, but to everyone who continued to support live music throughout lockdown and to everyone who continues to support its return now.
The tunes are released alongside a video by Kate Griffin (banjo), an insight into life on the road on The Magpies’ September 2021 tour that celebrates the long-awaited return to live music. The video features many of the incredible people and venues that are working hard to make live music possible again.
Featuring Guitarist Bella Gaffney, banjo player Kate Griffin and fiddle-player Holly Brandon, they draw on their wide-ranging influences to create a unique blend of transatlantic folk, and as they demonstrate here, they create a combination that is far greater than the sum of its parts.
In their live performances, The Magpies have been exceptionally well-received, with festival performances including Glastonbury Festival, Cambridge Folk Festival, Larmer Tree Festival, Shambala Festival, Towersey Festival and Deer Shed Festival and international shows in Canada, Ireland and Portugal.
Tickets for The Magpies’ Spring tour will be available from themagpiesmusic.com:
13th March – Queen’s Hall, Nuneaton
15th March – The Cluny, Newcastle
18th March – The Ropewalk, Barton Upon Humber
19th March – Nailsea Folk Club
20th March – Swindon Arts Centre
24th March – The Lighthouse, Deal
25th March – Vestry Hall, Cranbrook
26th March – Prema Arts Centre, Stroud
27th March – The Lexington, London
30th March – Willows Folk Club, Preston
31st March – Henry Tudor House, Shrewsbury
The Magpies new album is due for release in 2022. If you would like to help them raise the money to do this, please consider purchasing a pre-order here.