No Voices presents innovative music makers inspired by tradition, changing perceptions about instrumental music in the contemporary folk scene.
A continuing thread from a 2016 series, co-curated with Ian Anderson of fRoots magazine, this weekend sees the development of this revolution in folk music, in which song is not the centre of the story being told.
Vivid, emotive soundscapes are created from a core of melody and rhythm found in traditional music, breathing new life and vigour into the form. The playing is organic, improvisational and symbiotic: responsive to other musicians, to the audience and to the environment in which it is being played.
This No Voices weekend series of concerts and workshops sees exciting and varied approaches from some of the finest players in the field, including the breathlessly energetic pure drop Celtic trad. of Ímar; the intuitive instrumental intimacy of Leveret (who have just announced their new album ‘Forms’); the trance-like rich textural drones of Brìghde Chaimbeul and Ross Ainslie with Steve Byrne with their globe-trotting exploration of pipe traditions (Brìghde has also just announced her new album ‘Carry Them With Us’ – more here).
With LAS, Brìghde Chaimbeul, Ross Ainslie and Steven Byrnes have delivered a highly accomplished album that, probably more than any other you’ll hear this year, unifies innovation and tradition.
Thomas Blake, Folk Radio
Also, from the Bristolian hub of English instrumental minimalism, Eleven Magpies, a quartet of musicians who met doing theatre. Featuring Ian Ross on Guitar, Alex Vann on Mandolin, Elizabeth Westcott on Violin and James Gow on Cello, they released their self-titled debut in 2021.
There’s also a first chance to hear a duo performance from Sam Sweeney and maestro guitarist Louis Campbell. Louis recently released an album with Owen Spafford titled You, Golden (reviewed here), while Sam’s recent Escape That proved to be his most personal record to date. “His playing has never been more confident or fluid and the accompaniments are also stellar in their subtlety. It is gorgeous, joyous playing, possibly his best yet” (read our review and interview).
You can also delve into Raga fusion in a workshop with Imagined Village member Sheema Mukherjee; hear about small ensemble playing with members of Leveret; and watch intimate performance with new group Tamsin Elliott Trio. Fresh from a residency at Cecil Sharp House, watch Tamsin performing with Tarek Elazhary and Rowan Elliott on viola.
There will also be pop-up performances and a dance workshop from the innovative all-female Morris dancing team Boss Morris!
In case you missed it, Boss Morris performed at this year’s Brit Awards for Wet Leg during their performance of Chaise Lounge, and, in case you’re wondering who was under the Hooty the Owl costume…it was Sam Sweeney.
Full details can be found here: https://www.kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on/folk-weekend/
No Voice Folk Weekend programme
Fri 21 Apr
7.30pm / Hall One – Ímar
Sat 22 Apr
2pm / St Pancras Room – Tamsin Elliott Trio
4pm / St Pancras Room – Raga Fusion Workshop with Sheema Mukherjee
4.30pm / Hall Two – Boss Morris Dance Workshop for Beginners
7.30pm / Hall One – Leveret + Eleven Magpies
Sun 23 Apr
1.30pm / St. Pancras Room – Disssecting Leveret workshop
7pm / Hall One – Brìghde Chaimbeul and Ross Ainslie with Steven Byrnes
https://www.kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on/folk-weekend/