The Folk Forecast: 1–7 Feb 2021
Including the Folk on Foot Official Folk Albums Chart Show, a Soundpost singing weekend and a new EFDSS Young Folk Club.
As January turns to February (at last), we are all in need of something to look forward to. The next week has lots in store, from Folk on Foot’s Official Folk Albums Chart Show (always a highlight of the month) to performances from The Hut People, The Breath and Paul McKenna.
If you’re missing music-making yourself, there’s a fab singing weekend from Soundpost, workshops from Emily Askew and John Dipper, and even a new EFDSS Young Folk Club to keep any musical teens amused.
This issue’s Record of the Week is Half Wild by Kitty MacFarlane - scroll down to find out more, and find it in this week’s playlist.
MONDAY 1 FEBRUARY
The Official Folk Albums Chart Show — 7pm GMT
Folk on Foot website, YouTube and podcast feed. Commissioned by English Folk Expo and compiled by the Official Charts Company.
See which albums have made the Official Folk Albums Chart this month, with Folk on Foot. Packed with stories, music and insights, this is always a joy to watch. You might also spot us making an appearance this week…
Free to access, but you can support the podcast by becoming a patron.
Celtic Connections: Music of North Uist — 7.30pm GMT
Celtic Connections
A night of music and song from North Uist, celebrating the island’s rich musical talent and heritage. The programme will be presented entirely in Gaelic, and will feature Julie Fowlis, Ellen MacDonald and many more.
Tickets £5
TUESDAY 2 FEBRUARY
‘From a Distance’ Online Songwriting Retreat with Reg Meuross, Findlay Napier & Julie Gold — 3 days of workshops, from 10am GMT on Tuesday to 7pm on Thursday
Company of Song
A three-day online songwriting retreat led by Reg Meuross and Findlay Napier, plus special guest Julie Gold. Julie is best known as the writer of From a Distance, the multi-million selling hit for both Bette Middler and Cliff Richard, which has been covered by artists as diverse as The Byrds, Donna Summer, Nanci Griffith, Judy Collins and Elaine Page. She will be appearing from her home in New York to take part in a Q&A Session that will cover all aspects of her songwriting career.
Tickets £280
Celtic Connections 2021 Farewell Concert — 7.30pm GMT
Celtic Connections
Bid farewell to the first digital edition of Celtic Connections. The Closing Night of this year’s festival will look back at some of the festival highlights from more than 30 concerts, plus some unique moments that have not previously been seen.
Tickets £7
WEDNESDAY 3 FEBRUARY
Episode 1: Thank Folk for Feminism
Lucy Ward and Lisa Ward are launching a brand-new podcast this week called Thank Folk for Feminism, and the first episode will be available on Wednesday. The podcast will look at women’s voices, music and stories and what feminism means for the folk scene.
Free to tune in via podcast platforms.
The Hut People — 8pm GMT
Live to Your Living Room
The Hut People (Sam Pirt and Gary Hammond) mix global rhythms with folk tunes from Quebec to Spain, Scandinavia to Sussex and everywhere in between. Expect feel-good dancing tunes, audience participation, step dancing, Quebecois foot-percussion (whilst playing the accordion!) and humour aplenty.
Tickets £14, with options to pay a bit more or less depending on your circumstances. Gig is streamed via Zoom.
Miranda Sykes — 8pm GMT
Firebrand Music Events/Eastbourne Lamb Folk Club
Miranda Sykes, perhaps best known for her work with Show of Hands, performs an intimate gig for Eastbourne Lamb Folk Club which you can watch from the comfort of home. Miranda will also be available for an optional Q&A session after the gig via Zoom.
Tickets £15 plus booking fee
Jim Causley + Jack Rutter + Grace Smith — 8pm GMT
Green Note website, Facebook page and YouTube channel
Enjoy an evening of song-sharing with Jim Causley, Jack Rutter and Grace Smith, as they perform virtually ‘in the round’ for London’s Green Note.
No ticket required, but donations gratefully received on Paypal.
THURSDAY 4 FEBRUARY
Paul Downes — 7.30pm
Poppleton Live
Paul Downes has a rich musical background that has progressed through working with Phil Beer, The Arizona Smoke Revue, Pete Seeger and, currently, The Joyce Gang. This is a chance to catch him solo, with a live gig held over Zoom.
Tickets £10
The Breath: Up Close & Personal — 8pm GMT
Charm Music/Dice
It’s almost five years since The Breath released their debut album Carry Your Kin, and to celebrate, vocalist and flautist Ríoghnach Connolly and guitarist Stuart McCallum are returning to one of their old haunts, Mash Guru, for a special concert streamed on Dice Music. The Breath were nominated as Best Group at the 2019 BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards, where vocalist Ríoghnach Connolly also won Folk Singer of The Year. Expect an intimate show of exquisitely crafted, heartfelt songs, an extraordinary, mesmerising voice, some gorgeous guitar work and impassioned storytelling. There will also be a Q&A after the show where you can find out more about Stuart and Rioghnach and their musical backgrounds.
Tickets £9
FRIDAY 5 FEBRUARY
Edgelarks — 7.30pm GMT
Firebrand Music Events
Edgelarks play one last online gig before the arrival of their mini-lark! They'll be playing a blend of old songs and new, including some from their new album, Henry Martin, and some that have never been performed before.
Tickets £15 plus booking fee
An Hour or So With… Gavin Osborn — 8pm GMT
Downend Folk Club on Facebook
Enjoy an hour or so of song-sharing and conversation with Gavin Osborn. This event is presented by Downend Folk Club, who have been doing a fantastic job of cheering us up with weekly events on Facebook during lockdown.
No ticket required, but donations gratefully received on Paypal.
Lucy Ward + Svavar Knútur + Adyn Townes — 8pm GMT
Green Note website, Facebook page and YouTube channel
Enjoy an evening of song-sharing with Lucy Ward, Svavar Knútur and Adyn Townes as they perform virtually ‘in the round’ for London’s Green Note.
No ticket required, but donations gratefully received on Paypal.
Clare Sands, Eoghan Ó Ceannabháin and Ultan O’Brien and Lemoncello — 8pm GMT
Tradfest Temple Bar/Culture Ireland
A fantastic night of music and song featuring three next generation stars of the Irish trad and folk scene, all filmed live in the historic surrounds of Dublin Castle.
Tickets €3.99 (approx £3.50)
SATURDAY 6 FEBRUARY
Soundpost Sing Feb 2021 Online — 2 days of workshops on Saturday and Sunday
Soundpost
Join Soundpost for a weekend of singing fun with Bryony Griffith, Paul Sartin, Fay Hield, Kate Thompson and Harriet Johnson. As well as workshops, the weekend will also include a tutors’ concert, singaround and Q&A. It’s a fantastic opportunity to learn from some of the best, meet like-minded people and enjoy the magic of song.
Day ticket £30, full weekend £50
Emily Askew - A Beginner’s Guide to Medieval Music — A 4-week course on Saturdays at 2pm GMT, starting this week
Emily Askew
This course will introduce the playing style and ornamentation used in medieval music and explore its connections with folk music. Each workshop will last for an hour.
Tickets £12 per session or £40 for the whole course. For more information or to book, contact Emily on em_askew@yahoo.co.uk
John Dipper Workshops — A 4-week course on Saturdays at 4pm GMT, starting this week
John Dipper
John Dipper shares his tips, tricks and techniques. Tunes will be taught on the fiddle, but are open to all instruments. Each week, Jon will focus on one tune which will be taught by ear. Workshops are available live or afterwards on YouTube, if you can’t make the broadcast time.
Tickets £15 per session or £50 for the whole course. For more information or to book, contact John on johndipper@mac.com
Janice Burns and Jon Doran — 8pm GMT
Live to Your Living Room
Anglo-Scottish duo Janice Burns and Jon Doran formed in 2017, after discovering a shared love of traditional music. Their songs are filled with compelling storytelling, which comes alive through tight vocal harmonies and intricate arrangements on the mandolin and bouzouki.
Tickets £14, with options to pay a bit more or less depending on your circumstances. Gig is streamed via Zoom.
Steve Knightley Goes Online with the David Hall — 8pm GMT
The David Hall
Join Steve live from his home for this online gig via YouTube. There will be an optional ‘meet & greet’ session post-show, via Zoom.
Tickets £21 per household
Conchúr White, Sive, Séana Davey and Moxie — 8pm GMT
Tradfest Temple Bar/Culture Ireland
Four exciting young acts from the Irish trad and folk scene perform live in the beautiful interior of Dublin Castle.
Tickets €3.99 (approx £3.50)
Paul McKenna — 9pm GMT
The Paul McKenna Band on Facebook
Tune into Paul McKenna’s Facebook page to enjoy an evening of songs from one of Scotland’s finest.
Free to view, but donations encouraged
SUNDAY 7 FEBRUARY
EFDSS: The Young Folk Club — 4pm GMT
English Folk Dance and Song Society (EFDSS)
A chance for young people aged 14-21 to take part in a brand-new collaborative session on Zoom, with the chance to play music with young people from across the country. Special guest Rachael McShane (Bellowhead, The Transports) will be there to lead tunes and answer questions about her career in folk music.
Free to attend, but you need to pre-book your place.
Jim Causley @ Readifolk at Home — 8pm GMT
Readifolk
Join Devon-based singer and musician Jim Causley for a mix of traditional and contemporary songs, hosted by Readifolk.
Free to view - email mail colin@readifolk.org.uk to be added to the mailing list
Regular events
‘Almost Acoustic’ with Eliza Carthy on Radio Scarborough - Mondays at 8pm. The show is also repeated through the week, so you can catch up if you miss it.
Afternoon Tea with Paul Walker and Karen Pfeiffer - Concerts are held on Fridays at 4pm on Facebook.
Winter Wilson Live from the Lounge - Concerts are held on Thursdays at 8.15pm on Facebook.
Jack Hogsden’s Kitchen Sessions - Concerts are held on Saturdays at 7.30pm on Facebook. All money raised goes to Don’t Stop the Music.
Tim Edey’s Sleeping Tunes - Concerts are held on Saturdays at 9pm on Facebook.
Will Pound’s Sunday concerts - Will Pound hosts concerts on Facebook on Sundays at 11.30am.
Cara Dillon: This Woman’s Work on BBC Radio Ulster - This radio series is being broadcast on Sundays at 4pm, and you can catch up on past episodes now.
The Isolation Pub Sessions - John Spiers hosts monthly sessions on his Facebook page, and you can submit recordings of you playing if you’d like to join in!
‘Strum with Steve’ Acoustic Guitar Lessons - Join Steve Knightley of Show of Hands for beginners’ acoustic guitar lessons. Past lessons are available to view on Show of Hands’ Facebook and YouTube channels.
This week’s playlist
Head over to this week’s playlist to hear a selection of tracks from artists featured in this issue.
Record of the week
Half Wild by Kitty Macfarlane. This brand-new single is Kitty’s first release in over 2 years, following on from her stunning debut album, Namer of Clouds. Continuing the theme of the natural world, Half Wild takes its inspiration from the ocean and its ever-changing state. Kitty says, “It’s a reminder that we are made of the same matter and mettle as much of the natural world, governed by the same laws and rhythms. We share the sea’s chaotic balance of strength and fragility. Like the breaking waves, it’s within our power to leave a mark or no trace. Salt water might be mighty enough to sink steel and mould rock but it is also elusive enough to slip through our fingers. I think there is some of that duality in each of us.”
Interestingly, the song was commissioned as a soundtrack to a film for Ballet Folk - an organisation that combines contemporary ballet and folk music to create new theatrical works - so it’s a song that’s also been written with dancers in mind.
There’s also a beautiful video to accompany the song, which you can watch on YouTube.
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The Folk Forecast is created for artists, for audiences and for the UK folk scene. All information is correct to the best of our knowledge. If you have queries about the events listed, please contact the artists or promoters. If you have any suggestions for inclusion in future newsletters, please email TheFolkForecast@gmail.com. We may not be able to include absolutely everything, but we’re interested in UK folk events with a broad appeal, and would particularly welcome suggestions from Scotland, Wales and Ireland. The Folk Forecast is compiled by one person, so please bear with me if I can’t get back to you right away.