This Mercury nominated Geordie band, formerly known as Rachel Unthank and The Winterset, have established themselves as the most innovative and critically acclaimed English folk band in modern history. Known for their timeless, unsentimental tales of loss, fear, booze and sorrow, the new songs are a calmer, melancholic, warmer colour of sad than the intense bleakness of its predecessor. Forging links between folk worlds old, new and other, The Unthanks are the inheritors, curators and distorters of Tyneside’s traditions.

‘Intimate, epic, overflowing with feeling and musical intelligence’The Independent

Three award-winning musicians from Newcastle – Northumbrian piper Andy May, guitarist Ian Stephenson and fiddler Sophy Ball – come together as the Andy May Trio to play high energy instrumental folk, inspired by the music of their native North East. A typical performance might include traditional tunes from Northumberland, newly-composed material by all members of the band and an introduction to the pipes, all delivered with a warmth and humour which is sure to draw in both folk aficionados and newcomers alike for a dazzling show filled with virtuosity and energy.

Gren Bartley has released three albums in the last three years, each one revealing an increasingly prolific and exceptional writer and musician. The new album ‘Magnificent Creatures’ has already been described as ‘A superb piece of work’ by FATEA Magazine.

Now touring with string section, three-part harmonies and driving percussion he is creating something truly original in the underground folk scene. Drawing such positive reviews if you think you’ve heard something like it before… then think again.

‘enthralling, persuasive and masterly’ fRoots