When I was asked to write a forward to this new brochure celebrating Folk and Roots music at Lowther Pavilion my mind was taken back to how important this style of music has been in the whole development of talent over the last sixty years. From Bob Dylan’s electrification of Folk at the now famous concert in Manchester to modern folk heroes such as Passenger, Frank Turner and Laura Marling.
At one time the British Folk scene saw musicians travel the UK from town to town composing as they went. An example of this was Paul Simon’s Homeward Bound written at Widnes railway station. So by Lowther developing itself as part of the touring circuit we are wanting to be in the centre of a growing resurgence.
Some of the artists booked you will instantly recognise and hum along to tunes regularly played on the radio, but there are also emerging talents who you will have the opportunity of seeing before they become a household name. All we ask is that you immerse yourself in the experience of Live music and join us on this journey.
I look forward to welcoming you to Lowther and seeing you at our Live music events.
Tim Lince CEO & Artistic Director
FROM £12
Driven by awe and wonder of the natural world Iona Lane delivers poetic songs, with subtle musical touches and contemplative melodies that link unheard stories with the world we find ourselves in today.
Iona's debut album Hallival reached number 36 in the Folk Album Charts and was named number 27 in FRUK's top albums of 2022.
Iona draws from landscapes and stories found within nature and has been described by Mark Radcliffe (BBC Radio 2) as "a real talent!".
"Iona's lyrics and musical arrangements crackle with wide-eyed curiosity.”
- Jude Rogers, The Guardian
"Iona feels like a kindred spirit with her gorgeous evocations of landscape and geeky scientific references."
- Karine
Polwart
FROM £30
Lindisfarne recall a memorable period of live shows focussed on the 1977 release of live LP Magic in The Air. With a repertoire of unforgettable songs like Meet Me On The Corner, Fog On The Tyne, Lady Eleanor and Run For Home and a reputation for live performance second to none, LINDISFARNE’S power to galvanize festival and concert audiences remains undimmed and is guaranteed to get the crowd on their feet and singing along.
In 2023 and in top form, with over 50 years of musical history to their name, LINDISFARNE are delighted to present a classic five-piece line up of long-time members fronted by original founder-member Rod Clements on vocals, mandolin, fiddle and slide guitar.
LINDISFARNE 2023 are:
ROD CLEMENTS (1969-present) Vocal, mandolin, fiddle, guitars
DAVE HULL-DENHOLM (1994-present)
Vocal, guitars
STEVE DAGGETT (1986-present) Vocal, keyboards, guitars
IAN THOMSON (1995-present) Bass, vocal
PAUL SMITH Drums
Yorkshire folk singer Jack Rutter has established himself as one of the standout voices of the folk, roots and acoustic music scene in recent years.
A hugely engaging stage presence, his soaring vocal, powerhouse guitar and bouzouki playing and masterful arrangements of traditional songs and contemporary covers have enthralled audiences from the largest festival main stages to the most intimate folk clubs.
Following on from his critically acclaimed second album Gold of Scar & Shale - 2022 saw the release of a brand new EP, with autumn 2023 bringing the successor to Gold of Scar & Shale in the form of a new album of traditional songs.
“In the spirit of the old traditional singers, Jack Rutter takes a song, shapes it, lives with it and brings out something unique. This album makes my heart sing.”
- Kathryn Tickell OBE, BBC Radio 3
“Among Britain’s finest traditional singers.”
- Folk Radio UK
“An outstanding performer.”
- The Independent
In Concert Autumn 2023
Folk Rock Pioneers, Steeleye Span changed the face of folk music forever, taking it out of small clubs and into the world of gold discs and international tours. Five decades on and this six-piece line up celebrate over fifty years of this wonderful music playing all the favorite songs and tunes from their long and glittering career.
“Don't miss them...”
- The Independent FROM £26.50
FROM £23.50
Seth Lakeman was nominated for the Mercury Music Prize in 2005 for Kitty Jay.
It catapulted Lakeman into the forefront of the new British folk movement and his follow up was the gold-selling Freedom Fields. Produced by his brother Sean Lakeman it went on to become Seth’s first of 6 UK Top 40 albums. It was the 15th anniversary of the album, which includes Lady of the Sea, King and Country and White Hare, in 2021 which prompted a Deluxe Reissue on Vinyl with bonus tracks.
With Support from GUISE
GUISE is the voice and heart of Jessica Guise. Possessed of a remarkable folk lilt, she sings with delicacy whilst imparting dry wit and vicious asides. After the success of their first EP, The Fun Part, in 2020, Guise released their first studio album Youngest Daughter on Xtra Mile, produced by Jess’ husband, Frank Turner. Building up her live profile supporting the likes of Richard Thompson, Jon Boden, and Will Varley, Guise is an entertainer at heart and her openness, vulnerability and sense of humour set her apart.
£18
THE HOUGHTON WEAVERS have been entertaining folk for 48 years with their unique blend of popular folk music, humour and audience participation.
In their time together, the group have performed thousands of concerts, recorded over 30 albums, and starred in several of their own highly successful BBC radio and TV series.
They promise a fun-packed, sing-a-long family show with great music and funny stories galore! There will be plenty of laughter and the old familiar songs like the Blackpool Belle, Matchstalk Men and Wild Rover mixed together with some new songs, and festive perennial favourites like Let It Snow, Bless Your Whiskers and White Christmas.
You are guaranteed a wonderful evening of entertainment and their experience – together with their style and professionalism – ensures that, as their motto says, they always “Keep Folk Smiling!”
£24
With a lifetime reputation of performing in this exact way and an undying love of the ‘pure song’ Keith James gives you a concert of Leonard Cohen’s amazing material in the most intimate and sensitive way imaginable, exposing the solitary inner strength of his greatest songs in their original perfect form.
Included in the concert are Cohen’s well-known songs and Keith’s dramatic performances based on the work of Federico Garcia Lorca – Cohen’s greatest influence. Keith has also transcribed into song one of Leonard’s poems from his collection ‘Book of longing’ written whilst on retreat during the 1990s.
“Some of the most atmospheric and emotive music you will ever hear”
-The Independent
“Keith James’ Concert was truly memorable. My tears started as soon as he introduced the first song, and I came away thinking the human spirit will not be defeated. Currently on tour across the UK. Catch him if you can. He is such a lovely human being and so talented”
- The Hay Festival
Emily Portman is the 2013 holder of the BBC Radio Two Folk Award for Best
Original Song; an accolade which reflects her power to lure listeners into a complex and darkly surreal netherworld, conjuring a dark and brooding realm. Her ethereal voice belies a world of dark storytelling, cruel deeds and sordid city landscapes, part inspired by traditional balladry and part by rich literary sources, from the myth of Leda and the Swan to the magical realism of Angela Carter.
Emily’s most recent album Coracle is her most ambitious yet, scaling new creative heights. Moving deftly between bare-boned tales of metamorphosis and songs brimful with fragile life, Coracle reinforces Emily’s growing reputation as a dazzlingly original singer and songwriter. Her first entirely self-penned album, Coracle, subtly weaves together themes from myth and folklore with personal reflections on motherhood and bereavement.
“Entrancing and unsettling. A marvelous, original work.”
- Observer
“A tribute to her powerful imagination.”
- Living Tradition
“Spooky and surreal.”
- Guardian
Described by Folk Radio UK as “weaving an especially compelling magic”, and “showing British acoustic music in its best possible light”, Northumbrian duo The Brothers Gillespie make music that is animated by lyrical songwriting, fine fingerstyle guitar playing, multi-instrumental musicianship and “the glorious tones of their blood harmony” (Sam Lee).
Brothers James and Sam Gillespie found their sound growing up in the fells and valleys of Northumberland, their songs often describing relationships with wild places and the experience of finding oneself in a world alive with soul. The music comes to them most strongly when walking in the borderlands with their packs and instruments which remains a regular practice for them. This spirit is channeled into their live performances which have a rare and intimate energy, both ethereal and earthy, romantic and radical.
“Anyone who has seen the brothers live will surely attest that it is an experience that will stay with you. There is a feeling of warmth that exudes from them and affects everyone in the room”
- Folk London
£26.50
Maddy and Rose-Ellen have taught vocal technique and song together for over fifteen years, leading weekend-long courses throughout the year at their voice studio retreat Stones Barn in Cumberland. They love to sing harmony together and so have re-imagined some of their own compositions, especially those originally created for voices, into four parts for the band to perform.
The band's sound is based around their four part harmony along with virtuosic viola playing which goes from dream-like wistfulness all the way through to thick, textured rhythmic crunch. This works in a powerful tandem with Andrew's extraordinarily intuitive guitar skills, creating wide landscapes of drone, arpeggio and full-tilt riffs.
The themes they most often gravitate towards are three-fold. Firstly, Border Ballads and songs about the Border Reivers based on stories and traditions from the areas they live in Cumberland. Secondly, songs from a female perspective, often focusing on encouraging and giving voice to those movements which chime for equality. Thirdly, a universal topic; the human condition. Songs that we can all relate to aspects of, about love, family and our world.