Live folk and traditional music in North Hampshire
With exceptional musicianship and boundless energy, Granny’s Attic are going from strength to strength. Cohen Braithwaite-Kilcoyne (melodeon, anglo concertina, vocals), George Sansome (guitar, vocals) and Lewis Wood (violin, vocals) have honed their skills touring the UK and Europe since 2009. They are much loved by audiences up and down the country, with bookings everywhere from Cambridge Folk Festival to Cecil Sharp House.
The trio have been heralded for their lively performances and skilled delivery of traditional material, playing with verve, energy and their own inimitable style. Though grounded in tradition, they are keen to push new boundaries by exploring fresh approaches and writing their own compositions. In October 2021, they released their latest album, The Brickfields, an instrumental collection that sees them reach new heights both as performers and composers. Described by Folk Radio as “one of the most exciting and accomplished English folk acts on the scene right now”, this outstanding trio can hold audiences in the palm of their hand.
The Furrow Collective is an English/Scottish band consisting of four talented and individually prominent performers: Lucy Farrell (viola, voice & saw), Rachel Newton (harp, fiddle, voice), Emily Portman (banjo, concertina, voice) and Alasdair Roberts (guitars, voice). The group formed in 2013, drawn together by a shared love of the traditional song and balladry of England, Scotland and beyond and an open, intuitive approach to collaboration. In recognition of their innovative approach, The Furrow Collective were awarded the accolade of 2017 BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards ‘Best Group’, hot on the heels of the release in late 2016 of their second album, Wild Hog.
In December 2023 The Furrow Collective will be touring in support of their new, as yet untitled fourth album, a collection of noctilucent and hibernal songs drawn from the traditions of these isles and beyond. Evoking the uncanny atmosphere of a moonlit midwinter’s night, The Furrow Collective will present eerie story-songs and seasonal carols with their signature spine-tingling harmonies and masterful storytelling, bringing a spark of light into the wintry gloom. This promises to be an unmissable winter’s evening to remember. The Furrow Collective tours extensively throughout the UK as well as in mainland Europe, delighting audiences with their uniquely beguiling approach to traditional song.
Whitchurch Folk Club will hold our annual New Year's Eve Ceilidh at the Whitchurch Parish Hall. Kicking off from 8pm (doors, 7:30pm), this family-friendly event will run until the final dance just after midnight, with live music and dancing throughout most of the evening. We'll have a well-stocked bar, and adults will receive a glass of bubbly at midnight included in the price.
As usual, the scratch band will be made up of some very decent musicians indeed, and we're delighted that Jackie Oates has agreed to join us on fiddle.
Caller & fiddle: Amanda Whatley
Fiddle: Jackie Oates
Squeezy things: John Spiers
Guitar: Jon Wilks
Tickets to this event are limited and available in two offerings:
£20 adult ticket with glass of bubbly at midnight
£10 child ticket (17 years old and under)
Doors will open from 7:30pm. Music and dancing from 8pm
The Wilderness Yet are the last three words of the Gerard Manley Hopkins poem Inversnaid. The eponymous Sheffield-based trio fuse the clear, charismatic vocals of former BBC Young Folk Award finalist Rosie Hodgson with the fine, sensitive fiddling of Rowan Piggott and the deft guitar and flute playing of Philippe Barnes.
Independently, they have earned audiences' esteem as consummate musicians; together, they weave an eclectic tapestry of traditional and original songs and tunes; from a cappella three-part harmonies to luscious instrumental arrangements.
Their eponymous debut album was released in 2020 to critical acclaim, closely followed by a short EP of commissioned covers called John O Dreams.
Lockdown saw them record a winter album / show called Turn The Year Round, featuring secular re-writes of classic carols and carefully arranged seasonal favourites.
Their new studio album What Holds The World Together was released on 21 July 2022 and has since been played on BBC Radio 2, 3 and 6; lauded widely by reviewers (see below); and even made it into the Official Folk Albums Chart.
Press Quotes:
“This is surely one of the folk albums of the year” – Robin Denselow (Folk Radio/The Guardian)
“This is something timely...a lovely album with gorgeous artwork” – Mark Radcliffe, BBC Radio 2
“Beautiful musicianship & singing” – Ruth Smith, RTÉ Radio 1
“Simply exquisite" – Tom Robinson, BBC Radio 6 Music
“It's truly a thing of beauty... abundantly delicious instrumental textures are intelligently sparing yet satisfyingly rich... steeped in folklore and nature...a highlight of 2020" – The Living Tradition
“This debut fairly thrums with life, its music echoing the aureate hymn to the natural world… bright lissom vocals... finely poised a cappella singing" – The Scotsman ★★★★★
“Earnest and attractive... striking originality" – RnR Magazine ★★★★★
“Absolutely beautiful...the three of them make an absolutely wonderful sound" – Mike Harding
“This trio has it all…bright new music & fresh interpretations of old songs...a title track worthy of the Voice Squad... a delightful album” – Irish Music Magazine
Links:
Official Website: thewildernessyet.com
Facebook: TheWildernessYet
Instagram: TheWildernessYet
Twitter: WildernessYet
YouTube: TheWildernessYet
Bandcamp: thewildernessyet.bandcamp.com