Two ladies of folk come to Ropery Hall

Two ladies of folk are appearing at Barton upon Humber’s Ropery Hall in quick succession.

First up is Josie Duncan, a folk singer and songwriter from the Outer Hebrides, appearing at the Maltkiln Road venue as part of the monthly Folk Nights.

Steeped in Gaelic tradition from a young age and now deeply immersed in the vibrant Glasgow music scene, she has performed all over Europe to rapt audiences since graduating from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.

“Josie was awarded BBC Radio 2’s Young Folk Award in 2017 alongside guitarist Pablo Lafuente. Since then she has appeared on main stages of festivals all over the country,” said Liz Bennet of The Ropewalk. “Her singing effortlessly bridges the gap between Scotland’s traditional music and the adventurous tastes of its young inhabitants.”

Her solo show encompasses all her influences and distils them into a captivating mixture of loops, ethereal airs, original songs and intimate accompaniment. Unburdened by genre, this spellbinding set is guaranteed to leave audiences rapt.

Last year Rowan appeared at Ropery Hall in the hugely successful touring folk opera “Rouse Ye Women”, written by folk musician, John Kirkpatrick and playwright, Neil Gore, former Oysterband and Levellers collaborator. Now she returns with the Rowan Godel Trio featuring multi instrumentalists, Benji Kirkpatrick (Bellowhead, Faustus, The Transports) and Tim Cotterell (Martha Tilston, Nick Burbridge).

Singer-songwriter Rowan appears just days before the release of her long-awaited debut album, Where The Wild Horses Roam, on March 16. Known for working with traditional song, and creating her own fresh and unique sound she has recorded and toured with a number of highly regarded artists on the UK folk scene, such as folk rock legends the Levellers and Oysterband.

Josie will be on stage on Saturday, February 29, with the Rowan Godel Trio appearing on Friday, March 13. Full details, including ticket prices, can be found at www.roperyhall.co.uk

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Snake Davis with Mark Creswell

Snake teams up with long time cohort and best buddy Mark Creswell, for an evening of gorgeous mellow music infused with jazz soul and pop. 

Snake Davis is one of the most in-demand rock jazz and soul sax players in the world, widely known for his solos on tracks such as Lisa Stansfield’s “Change”; M-People’s “Search For A Hero” and “Moving On Up”; Take That’s “Million Love Songs”.  

He has played and recorded with hundreds of artists, from James Brown, Tina Turner and Paul McCartney to The Eurythmics and Amy Winehouse

Mark Creswell 

Virtuoso exquisite sensitive guitarist, Mark studied at Leeds college of Music with Snake. He is well known for his work with The Suspicions Burden of Paradise Mark Knofler and Tanita Tikaram who called his playing ‘joyous and spirited’.

By Richard |

Blackbeard’s Tea Party

Be prepared to stamp your wooden legs: Blackbeard’s Tea Party are back with their latest album ‘We Are People’.

Blackbeard’s Tea Party continue to put their signature twist on British folk music with a contemporary rock sound. On this new collection they explore the past and the present to ask what it means to be British right now – from personal, political and piratical perspectives.

On the ‘We Are People’ tour they will perform these new tracks along with classics from their back catalogue. Sea-shanties are given a bombastic rock edge, and folk instrumentals become late-night floor-fillers when this raucous bunch of reprobates hit the stage. They have dirt under their fingernails and a twinkle in their eyes, and you can expect fantastic musicianship, playful choreography and an unstoppable urge to move your body.

Electric guitars, fiddle, melodeon, drums and 4-part harmonies combine to create music that is drenched in tradition, but filtered through a kaleidoscope of modern rock and pop.

Contemporary folk rock at its most infectious’ R2
‘York’s answer to The Pogues, but with cleaner fingernails’ The Telegraph
‘Blackbeard’s Tea Party restored my faith in foot-tapping, fun, energy-packed music
recently. In short: they make shanties chic’ Roger Crow, Huffington Post
‘Gloriously wild, gamely OTT and sharp. This is convincing and essentialfRoots
‘Barnstorming buccaneers belting our riff-tastic folk rock’ Songlines

By Richard |

Gordon Giltrap

Over five decades, Gordon Giltrap has graced the music business with his dedication to his craft and his affection for his audience. As one of the UK’s most respected guitarists, he has consistently proved the adage that respect cannot be bought. It must be earned.

This innovative guitarist is back out on the road performing many of his incredible songs with incredible arrangements in what promises to be an electrifying solo acoustic show. Expect to hear classics such as Heartsong and Lucifer’s Cage alongside new material from his latest album ‘Scattered Chapters’.

A show guaranteed to enthrall guitar aficionados, acoustic enthusiasts and music lovers in general, don’t miss the chance to see one of the UK’s most important and influential guitarists in action.

Anyone who asks me knows, that I think that Gordon Giltrap is one of the best acoustic guitar players in the world…His concerts and playing are breathtaking. He’s also very witty, and I love the fact that he has not cut his hair!”
Ritchie Blackmore (Deep Purple)

 “One of an elite few who truly have become legendary in their field, in their own lifetime.”
Brian May (Queen)

By Richard |

Calan

A Mythical Musical Odyssey with CALAN 

Immerse yourself in an enchanting world as the mesmerising quartet CALAN  grace our stage with their unique brand of power-folk. This musical odyssey combines original tunes and songs with ancient melodies unearthed from the National Library of Wales. Join us for an extraordinary evening featuring tracks from their highly anticipated album, ‘Nefydd’.

Internationally acclaimed CALAN emerge with a new, captivating narrative; ancient tales of Welsh mythology are meticulously brought to life, transcending the pages of folklore to resonate through the enchanting melodies of harp, guitar, fiddle, accordion, and song. ‘Nefydd’ tells stories of murderous princes, thieving highwaymen and the triumphant resurgence of the heart of Welsh folklore.

CALAN’s versatility is legendary in itself. From intimate house concerts to the grandiose Royal Albert Hall, Calan have become modern day folk heroes themselves. They also notably graced operatic superstar Sir Bryn Terfel’s most recent album, marking their triumphant return to the musical forefront.

By Richard |

Granny’s Attic

We are pleased to be welcoming Granny’s Attic to The Ropewalk as part of their 15th anniversary tour.

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.

“Their high-octane take on English folk has brought a whole new audience to the genre” – The Irish Times

“Great tunes, great energy, great arrangements, great stuff!” – Jon Boden

“A superb folk trio” – RNR Magazine

“Traditional folk music taken far beyond its parameters” – Tykes News

By Richard |

Cara Dillon

Cara Dillon, an extraordinary, multiple award-winning Irish folk singer, and acclaimed musician and producer Sam Lakeman, will captivate listeners once again with their exquisite and enthralling live performance. Every note and word sung with a passion and confidence earned through a life of experience singing traditional songs. Throughout an enviable career which has seen them explore opportunities to tread many different paths – from releasing folk crossover albums on indie label Rough Trade; recording on Disney soundtracks to collaborations with orchestras and even leading dance DJs – Cara has continuously chosen to firmly plant herself within the landscape of her Irish cultural heritage and that’s something to celebrate. Their enduring partnership has ensured they have remained at the very pinnacle of the folk genre for well over two decades and this performance will feature a selection of acoustic songs from previous releases and may also include material from her highly anticipated 2024 release, “Coming Home”, her first in over six years. Within it Cara effortlessly blurs the lines between spoken word and song to stunning effect, exploring profoundly personal memories, her native Co. Derry and the people, places and customs she holds closest to her heart; revealing a newly found freedom to express herself within the tiniest of details and life’s larger mysteries. Join Cara and Sam for an intimate evening full of exceptional music and the genuine warmth they bring to the stage.

By Richard |