Folkish Explosion in moving to Cobalt Studios after demand for a higher capacity after selling out for 4 years running at The Mining Institute. The very best in soulful, upbeat, rabble-rousing folk influenced music. Expect performances from the best and most engaging national and local acts in a mini-festival that will leave you looking out for the next year's offering.
200 Tickets available £7 adv £9 otd (£1 concession for NUS)
QUENTIN FROM CELTARABIA (8pm)
Quentin Budworth is a Hurdy-gurdy player and composer on a quest. For the last year he has travelled across Europe learning from master Hurdy-Gurdy players from different traditions.
Supported by an Arts Council Develop Your Creative Practice Grant his travels have taken him to France, Spain, Crete, Germany and Holland.
In this unique event Quentin will share tunes , stories and insights about what he has learned on his musical odyssey. Featuring music from across Europe and newly composed tunes Quentin will give a rare insight into the world of an itinerant Hurdy-Gurdy Man and composer.
JOE SOLO (8:50PM)
On top of releasing seventeen albums since 2004, Solo has written books and had them written about him; runs a research project on the Hull Pals Battalions in the First World War; has worked with underprivileged children to help them write their lives in song; co-runs ‘May Day Festival of Solidarity‘ an annual event bringing together voices from music, poetry and politics to celebrate International Worker’s Day; hosts a weekly radio show; and still found time to open for the likes of Paul Heaton & Jacqui Abbott, Billy Bragg, Chris Wood, TV Smith, Louise Distras, David Rovics, Grace Petrie, Attila the Stockbroker, Otis Gibbs, Robb Johnson, Edgar Broughton, Naomi Bedford & Paul Simmonds, Emily Portman, Pete Wylie, and The Blockheads; whilst his songs have been played by John Peel on Radio One, Mike Harding on Radio Two and Tom Robinson on BBC6Music.
Folk-rock group ‘THE PASTURES’ have progressed to being one of the top bands in the North East with highly energetic shows that always keep you guessing and get you moving. Their unique genre style plays with elements from Folk, Rock, Ska, Punk, Indie and even the odd bit of Reggae which mould as one as they take you on their post-punk-pirate journey.
With songs about modern-day societal concerns such as injustices and inequalities amongst the peoples and animals of the world, The Pastures bring to light an important message of balance and peace. They do so with conviction however don’t take themselves too seriously either, and, since gaining a loyal following in their local area of Newcastle and beyond, have branched out nationally, playing their message further and wider each year.
"This blend of Folk/Punk is the perfect high octane gig that got better and better" NE:MM
"They simply nail it...mark them down as a real band to watch" Crack Magazine
DRIVEN SERIOUS (10:50PM)
A 6 piece folk rock and punk folk ensemble that has evolved over the past 8 years, based in the North East of England, bringing you original, intense, up beat and soulful music infused with harmonies, gusto and passion. The odd carefully chosen cover, given the Driven Serious treatment can be thrown into the mix. Famed for their engaging and anarchic entertainment, Driven Serious blow people away, high billing and headlining at festivals.
"I suppose you could file Driven Serious under the banner of folk-rock; but they are so much than that. They have a vibrancy that you can virtually see thrumming off them when they play, passionate and with the handbrake well and truly off, and with a vibe that has had people likening them to The Levellers to The Pogues to The Smiths to The Wonderstuff..." – The Crack drivenserious.com
