The “Indoor Festival of Folk” is a collaboration between folk/rock band The Magpie Arc and the English Folk Dance and Song Society (EFDSS) and features a stellar lineup of award-winning UK folk artists performing at Cecil Sharp House, Camden, London, on Saturday the 3rd of September 2022.
Appearing at the Indoor Festival of Folk are…
Knight and Spiers – Following their 2018 collaboration, Well Met, the inimitable Peter Knight and John Spiers returned earlier this year with the magical Both in a Tune. In his Folk Radio UK review of the album, Billy Rough set the scene for their collaboration: “Knight is well known from the world of Steeleye Span and his more recent Gigspanner trio, and Big Band, whilst fellow Big Bander Spiers is equally familiar as one of the founders of folk behemoth Bellowhead alongside his work with Jon Boden and Jackie Oates and many others. Having first come together as part of a ‘one-off’ gig at FolkEast in 2016, the duo have developed into one of the most thrilling exponents of traditional music, always consciously respectfully of their heritage but not afraid to bend the rules. Indeed, they positively wrench them, twisting and stretching tunes to almost breaking point before assuredly, expertly, springing back to their heart.” He later concludes: Effortlessly impressive, sublimely performed and gloriously invigorating, it is a sheer delight to listen to two masters of their instruments. A beautifully charming duet and a stimulating welcome to a new year. This is innovation, experimentation and improvisation, played between two friends, at its very best. Early days, but come the end of the year, this album will surely still be in the minds of many as one of the best of 2022.”
The BBC Folk Singer of the Year Bella Hardy recently returned with her 10th solo album “Love Songs“, which found “her reconnecting with her formative folk roots”. It was no understatement when Mojo asserted that she was one of “Brit folks finest”.
Award-winning singer and guitarist Blair Dunlop, solo artist and leader of the rebooted Albion Band. Blair has toured extensively in Europe and Australia. In 2021, he released his first live record, ‘Trails: Queensland’ which chronicled his ’19/’20 tour of the continent. While in 2018, he released ‘Notes From An Island’. In his album review, David Pratt declared, “his journey as one of our foremost singer-songwriters continues to be in the ascendancy. His most accomplished album so far.”
Lizzy Hardingham is one of the rising stars of the UK folk scene. An indomitable folk musician and ornate songstress, 2019 saw her storm the UK folk club and festival scene, including Cambridge Folk Festival, while in 2020, she captivated online audiences.
The Magpie Arc are no strangers to these pages, featuring the cross-border folk/rock band featuring the award-winning talents of Nancy Kerr, Martin Simpson, Findlay Napier, Tom Wright and Alex Hunter. Formed not long before the first lock-down of 2020 the band released three EP’s during that year and have been champing at the bit to play live ever since. With a busy summer of festivals scheduled for this year, including a main stage appearance at Cambridge, they kicked off with dates in June. As noted by Thomas Blake in his review of their second EP – “their music leaves the impression of liveliness, of music played in small, warm venues for the sheer joy of it”, and concluding “This is a group of musicians playing the music that they love, and doing it better than just about anyone else.”
And finally, a very special presentation of Steeleye Span legends Maddy Prior and Peter Knight in conversation with BBC presenter and Folk On Foot founder Matthew Bannister. Talking all things folk/rock and maybe even chart stardom, Maddy and Peter will also be performing several songs together for the first time in many years, which in itself will be an occasion not to be missed.
So come rain or come shine it will be a fantastic day of music and fun in the beautiful spiritual home of British folk music, Cecil Sharp House, and will come complete with all the home comforts of an indoor gig, including food, drink, facilities and a nice sit down.
Tickets for Indoor Festival of Folk: https://www.efdss.org/whats-on/26-gigs/11312-indoor-festival-of-folk