Thursday 11th December 08:00 PM
Forging links between the folk worlds old, new and other, Rachel and her set have blown a refreshing north-easterly gale through traditional English song, casting it in an endlessly inventive and playful new mould. The band, now four, have cemented a reputation for being a truly entertaining and breathtaking live act. With a strong emphasis on self-penned songs, all four girls now take lead vocal responsibilities, joyfully remodel traditional material and delight in covering songs from unlikely sources such as Antony & The Johnsons. Performing without a drummer, they play piano, fiddle and voice to tell their stories of small town drama, epic tragedies, old traditions and new love.
The collective background in traditional music of Rachel, Becky, Niopha and Stef is the anchor that affords them their sense of adventure. They have the kind of deep understanding of English folk music it’s only possible to have by being born into it, Rachel Unthank & The Winterset subvert folk music with love and authority.
“Finally, the Winterset demolish the line between past and present, by mingling ancient laments with idiosyncratic songs by Robert Wyatt and Bonnie Prince Billy, and go beyond tradition to a magical, essentially Geordie place. Breathtaking. *****” Manchester Evening News
"They are like the morning dew that hasn't steamed off yet, they are fresh and new and I really don't think they know how good they are." Robert Wyatt
"This hard working band have had quite a year and they have recently been nominated as one of the contenders for the 2008 Mercury Music Prize"
Félix Lajkó is a Hungarian-Yugoslavian virtuoso of the violin and
zither renowned for his beautifully intense and soaring live
performances. He skips effortlessly between European folk traditions,
conservatoire-trained classicism and feral string symphonies,
intoxicating all kinds of audiences with his dazzling music and force
of personality. He has performed all over the world and has
collaborated with the Romanian violinist Alexander Balanescu, Boban
Markovic's gypsy brass band, the Dresch Quartet and the Japanese bhuto
dancer Min Tanaka. Warren Ellis (Dirty Three/Nice Cave) can't stop
waxing lyrical about his uplifting, free spirited music either. His
performances in the UK are a rare occurrence and are to be savoured."
Tickets: £15.00 Adv + Booking fee
Doors Open: 7.00pm
Website: www.rachelunthank.com
Website: www.myspace.com/rachelunthank
