The Folk Forecast: 9-22 Nov 2020
Including Martin Simpson, Melrose Quartet and Rachael McShane & The Cartographers, plus a brand-new episode of The Young'uns YTV.
Hello, and welcome to The Folk Forecast! As ever in this strange new world, a lot has changed in just 2 weeks. As we find ourselves in lockdown once more, many venues are cancelling live performances after working hard to set them up safely with social distancing. However, there’s still lots coming up online, so read on below to find out more and have a listen to this week’s playlist.
Lockdown over the winter could be very lonely, so if you know someone who might enjoy some music in the coming months, please share The Folk Forecast with them, so we can bring music to even more people.
HIGHLIGHTS
Will Pound
Wednesday 11 November 8pm GMT
Live to Your Living Room
Known for being one of the finest melodeon and harmonica players of his generation, Will Pound is a master of his craft who isn’t afraid to push boundaries. He’s toured everywhere from Europe to Australia, but for this concert he’s heading straight to your living room.
Tickets £14, with options to pay a bit more or less depending on your circumstances. Gig is streamed via Zoom.
Jackie Oates & Megan Henwood
Saturday 14 November 8pm GMT
Live to Your Living Room
After meeting at Nettlebed Folk Club, Jackie and Megan found their voices were a perfect match, and they’ve been performing together ever since. Join them for an evening of musical storytelling, featuring traditional and contemporary material.
Tickets £14, with options to pay a bit more or less depending on your circumstances. Gig is streamed via Zoom.
Miranda Sykes - Live with Nettlebed Folk Club
Monday 16 November 8pm GMT
Firebrand Music Events / Nettlebed Folk Club
Join Miranda Sykes for songs from ‘The Farmhouse Sessions’, her new album produced during lockdown, which features favourites from her back catalogue as nominated by her fans. Plus, there’s an optional Q&A after the gig if you’d like to stay afterwards for a chat!
Tickets £15, plus booking fee.
An Hour or So with the Melrose Quartet
POSTPONED - New date Sunday 13 December 7pm GMT
Live to Your Living Room
With a line-up of internationally renowned musicians, including Nancy Kerr, James Fagan, Jess Arrowsmith and Richard Arrowsmith, Melrose Quartet are known for their energy and originality. Join them for a blend of traditional and original songs, plus instrumental sets that are sure to get you dancing!
Tickets £14, with options to pay a bit more or less depending on your circumstances. Gig is streamed via Zoom.
The Young‘uns YTV: Episode 4
Friday 20 November 8pm GMT
The Young’uns on YouTube / Facebook
The Young‘uns have got their own TV show, and as you might expect, it’s both hilarious and heart-warming. If you need to catch up, the first three episodes are on their YouTube channel and are guaranteed to make you smile.
No ticket required, but donations gratefully received via their website. Donate £50 to get a jingle of your very own created during the show.
Jimmy Aldridge & Sid Goldsmith
Friday 20 November 8pm GMT
Furness Tradition
I fell in love with Jimmy and Sid’s ‘Awake Arise’ album with Lady Maisery last winter, so I’m really looking forward to seeing their duo material. Expect honest and heartfelt explorations of social issues that are both powerful and uplifting.
Tickets £12 plus booking fee, with the option to pay a bit more or less depending on your circumstances.
Rachael McShane & The Cartographers
Friday 20 November 8pm GMT
The Globe Newcastle
Strings player and singer Rachael McShane is best known for being a member of folk big band, Bellowhead. Catch her with her latest line-up, The Cartographers (Matthew Ord and Julian Sutton), as they play live from bonny Newcastle.
Livestream tickets £5.45, with the option to pay more to support the artists and venue.
Martin Simpson
Sunday 22 November 8pm GMT
Live to Your Living Room
Martin Simpson was planning to record a live album this year, but as lockdown set in, he found himself creating something a little more home-spun. Join him as he celebrates the launch of his new album, ‘Home Recordings’, beautifully produced by Andy Bell with intimate recordings made quite literally in Martin’s back yard.
Tickets £14, with options to pay a bit more or less depending on your circumstances. Gig is streamed via Zoom.
Steve Knightley - Live with Lichfield Arts
Sunday 22 November 8pm GMT
Firebrand Music Events / Lichfield Arts
Described by Mike Harding as “one of England’s greatest singer-songwriters”, Steve Knightley is usually seen as part of the ever-popular Show of Hands. In a silver lining of lockdown, enjoy the chance to see him perform an intimate solo gig.
Tickets £20, plus booking fee.
Also look out for…
Live to Your Living Room Christmas Choir - Rehearsals on Sundays, starting on Sunday 8 November 7.30pm GMT, Live to Your Living Room
Lady Maisery’s Lockdown Creative Club - A 4-week course on Wednesday evenings, starting on Wednesday 11 November 7pm GMT, Lady Maisery on Zoom - tickets via Bandcamp
Faeland - Wednesday 11 November 8pm GMT, Faeland on Facebook
Big Band Ceilidh Tunes Workshop 1 and Workshop 2 - Thursday 12 & Thursday 19 November 6.30pm GMT, Live to Your Living Room
Martin Simpson Online Album Launch Concert - Friday 13 November, available from 9am GMT for 48 hours, Alan Bearman Music and JMS Concerts
Folk Education Development Day - Friday 13 November 10.30am GMT, EFDSS Folk Educators Group
An Hour or So With… The Last Inklings - Friday 13 November 8pm GMT, Downend Folk Club
Emily Barker - Sunday 15 November 8pm GMT, Roots Live
An Hour or So With… Kitty Macfarlane - Friday 20 November 8pm GMT, Downend Folk Club
Daoirí Farrell - Friday 20 November 8pm GMT, The Live Room Saltaire
Findlay Napier & Jenny Sturgeon & Nancy Kerr - Friday 20 November 8pm GMT, Green Note
Martin Simpson Guitar Workshop - Saturday 21 November 10am GMT, Email info@martinsimpson.com for info
Nancy Kerr on BBC Radio 3 Inside Music - Saturday 21 November 1pm GMT, BBC Radio 3
Underwater Themed Virtual Ceilidh - Saturday 21 November 7pm GMT, Shooting Roots
Sarah Matthews Fiddle Workshop - Sunday 22 November 3pm GMT, Live to Your Living Room
Playford Ball - Sunday 22 November 3pm GMT, Chiltern Folk Association
This fortnight’s playlist
Head over to this fortnight’s playlist to hear tracks from this issue’s highlighted artists and our album of the fortnight - have a listen, try something new and see which gigs you might fancy going to!
This fortnight, I’m mostly listening to…
‘Receiver’ by The Rheingans Sisters, a beautifully conceived album that showcases the songwriting and instrumental talent of two musicians who never cease to amaze me. My top track is ‘The Photograph’, a song inspired by the stories of Bloody Sunday after the sisters visited Northern Ireland. This song feels reminiscent of Rowan’s solo show, ‘Dispatches on the Red Dress’, with its questioning of the futility of conflict and poignant lyrics: ‘What do we learn?’. You can find ‘The Photograph’ in this fortnight’s playlist, or head to The Rheingans Sisters’ Bandcamp page to get your copy.
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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.