This event has been rescheduled to Tuesday 18th January 2022. All tickets remain valid.
I’m drawing on the urgency of the moment, reflects Grant-Lee Phillips. The things that eat away in the late hours That urgency inspired the headlong rush of Widdershins, in which Phillips invests the insight, nuance, and wit that has distinguished his songcraft over the past three decades in a riveting dissection of today’s fraught social landscape. With more than two decades’ experience first as frontman of the acclaimed Grant Lee Buffalo then and accomplished solo artist, Phillips awakens comfort and hope by shining light into darker corners. I hope to express my faith in people, my faith in the good ideas we’re capable of, and that regardless of what opposition we face, the fact that we can surmount these things, he concludes.
Thursday’s Band and Black Scarr
Two contrasting bands who like and admire each others’ work, and have played on the same bill several times.
Based in the Cambridge region, Thursday’s Band offers a unique combination of fiddle, viola and guitars that’s been described by different listeners as spine-tingling, spellbinding, utterly awesome, and ‘the most beautiful music I’ve heard in years’.
Coming from an eclectic background that includes folk, country, rock, cajun and classical music, the band is made up of Lucinda Fudge (viola, vocals and songs) Mark Gamon (guitar, vocals and songs); Matt Kelly (fiddle, viola, mandolin, vocals and songs); and Nick Blishen (guitar). Much of their repertoire is original – focused always on intelligent songwriting – with live sets enhanced by the addition of sympathetic covers and exuberant tunes.
Five years in, the entire band are agreed: this is the best thing we’ve ever done. They have performed at many folk clubs and several times at The Portland. Thursday’s Band have released two full albums, Chittagong Tattoo (2019) and All We have in Common (2016)
Look at video clips on youtube or at the band’s website: www.thursdaysband.co.uk.
About Chittagong Tattoo:
‘This is very good… Granny Mean is stunning. Quietly finger-picked, violin in the background, a rising chorus, and lyrics which capture the many emotions of someone with dementia… It works. It shouldn’t but it really does. Let the Fire Die Back…. is driven by violin and the interplay between male and female vocal. You pick up the story in the gaps between the images – and you want to join in that refrain. Difficult Man is a delightfully human song. The Chittagong Tattoo is a powerful title track. And Leavings has… lovely interplay between the instruments as they hand the lead briefly from one to the other and a final verse that brings light to darkness… It feels like you might want to see if you can get them to your folk club…’ (folking.com)
Black Scarr are Johnny Black and Emma Scarr, an East London duo formed by two singer songwriters with different styles and influences, but whose co-writing has collided to produce a collection of songs that move audiences to laughter and tears.
Honest and gritty, this urban folk/country duo produce songs full of stories and themes that are modern but classic-sounding and timeless, personal and everyday, still universal. BlackScarr have become known for live performances bursting with energy and chemistry. Prepare to tap your toes to upbeat melodic country tunes and be touched by hard-hitting, yet poetic lyrics that will stay with you. Guitar, fiddle, harmonica and classic harmonies document the trials, contradictions, fears and delights of middle-aged life and love.
Black Scarr have performed at many folk clubs including Royston, Watford, Redbourne, Loughton, Hitchin, and Warwick, and many other venues in and around London, as well as a number of festivals.
Black Scarr won ‘Best audience reaction’ award at the ‘Love Folk Live’ competition run by Folkstock and have won Watford Folk Club song writing competition.
Black Scarr have recorded 5 CDs – find these and lots of other goodies on our website:
“Accessibly sumptuous…between easy-listening seductress and torch-song belter, her voice is soulful and dreamy with just a tang of something muskier in its sweetness.” – The Daily Telegraph
“Hers is an arresting voice, soft and sweet, but dark in hue and sharp with melancholy, like a vinegar smoothie.” – NME
https://www.roddywoomble.net
Roddy Woomble is widely regarded as one of Scotland’s finest songwriters.
Known for his enigmatic lyrics, warm baritone voice and consummate gift for a tune, Roddy has released five solo albums to date – ‘My Secret Is My Silence’ (2006), ‘Before The Ruin’ (2008, with Kris Drever and John McCusker), ‘The Impossible Song & Other Songs’ (2011), ‘Listen To Keep’ (2013), and ‘The Deluder’ (2017). Roddy’s first poetry collection ‘Instrumentals’ was released in 2016.
For the past two decades Roddy has also been the frontman of much loved Scottish alternative rock band Idlewild, releasing eight studio albums, and touring worldwide as a headline act, but also in support to R.E.M., Pearl Jam and U2 amongst others.
I’m drawing on the urgency of the moment, reflects Grant-Lee Phillips. The things that eat away in the late hours That urgency inspired the headlong rush of Widdershins, in which Phillips invests the insight, nuance, and wit that has distinguished his songcraft over the past three decades in a riveting dissection of today’s fraught social landscape. With more than two decades’ experience first as frontman of the acclaimed Grant Lee Buffalo then and accomplished solo artist, Phillips awakens comfort and hope by shining light into darker corners. I hope to express my faith in people, my faith in the good ideas we’re capable of, and that regardless of what opposition we face, the fact that we can surmount these things, he concludes.
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