Web site updated 20 May 2013

'Friendly and feelgood folk...great music too'  The Cumberland News.

24-25 May 2013

For ticket availabliity please call:
01697371645

It is never dark or angst ridden, and always full of hope - but not in the 'Up With People' kind of way. It's not Jazz, although we like Jazz a lot. It's not heavy metal or punk or grunge, although we love Rush and AC/DC. It is World Roots Music. It's POP music. It is GOOD music. It has a tendency to connect people and means a lot to many folks the world over, and for that we are very grateful. 
It is the only multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, multi-generational, multi-lingual, multi-instrumental, genre bending, co-ed band you will hear today!!
In 2008 the Paperboys raised the roof at their last Ireby performance so we are really pleased to have Tom Landa and his crew return to Ireby.
"If you don't believe a jigg can shred, listen to the Paperboys." Seattle Rocket

Jack McNeill & Charlie Heys... Their idiosyncratic approach to folk music and song writing has earned them an enviable reputation as two of the most exciting, heartfelt and challenging musicians around. Writing songs that seem to grow out of the ground and tunes that tell stories in their own right, Jack and Charlie's original music strings together the past, present and what might yet be of folk music.

"real folk – not nu-folk, folktronica, or some other apologetically named subgenre – and it doesn’t seem to need reinventing.”
The Sunday Times

My Sweet Patootie... is an acoustic roots group from rural Ontario that brings twining vocal harmonies, monstrous fingerstyle guitar, sizzling fiddle, percussion and abundant charisma together in one perfect package. Their music is a tongue-in-cheek Canadian blend of old country, vintage jazz, western swing & blues.

In 2010 the Mills and Chimneys project brought together a group of musicians of all ages and backgrounds for the Derbyshire Literature Festival. Three of the group have been BBC young folk awards finalists. They worked together to write and perform songs inspired by the Derbyshire landscape and its many traditions. The project has seen sell out concerts and enthusiastic audience responses. Plans include collaborations with Viva Orchestra and further gigs around the country.

Kirsty McGee
Somewhere between Jazz, Folk, Chanson and Americana there's an area of music that doesn't have a name. With a cartographer's attention to detail, Kirsty has spent the past ten years and six albums exploring and mapping this place. Honed over twenty years of wandering and touring, McGee's songs show the light touch of a singer with an instinctive reflex for bringing together words and music. Gentle, and with the bittersweet edge of experience, her voice speaks directly from an open heart, and her rich, dark style continues to defy categorisation.   'Absoultely Superb' - Bob Harris

Luke Jackson
18 year old Luke is a Roots singer/songwriter from Canterbury, Kent.
Luke's debut EP 'Run & Hide' July 2011, generated a lot of interest in his song writing, voice and playing. In 2012 Luke was signed to the Pipe Record Label where he recorded his debut CD 'More Than Boys' produced by Martin Joseph. This was released in early August with an official launch at Shrewsbury Folk Festival where Luke also played as Steve Knightley's 'Patrons Choice' act. So far the CD is generating great reviews and Luke is also to support Martyn Joseph on his 30 date autumn tour from October.
"Absolutely brilliant" Aled Jones, BBC Radio 2     Acoustic Magazine 'A huge talent is emerging'

"Astounding abilities and proficient talents, the chemistry between them is electrifying.. they show the world, being young holds no boundaries. "Maverick Magazine

Jaywalkers
The summer of 2012 has seen Jaywalkers - BBC Young Folk Award finalists 2009 - cement their place as one of the most exciting, virtuosic and entertaining young bands working on the British folk scene. June 2012 saw the eagerly awaited release of their 2nd album - Early for a Thursday - but their busy summer was already well under way, with the band performing at over 24 UK festivals. There was just enough time to fit in a quick trip to Europe, where the band were placed 3rd at the European World of Bluegrass in Holland.

Lucy Ward
BBC Radio 2 Horizon Award Winner 2012.   Lucy is a 21 year old acoustic artist from Derby. She plays guitar and concertina but considers her voice to be her first instrument. There is a natural and easy sound to her music that is brought to life by expressive performance, breath-taking delivery and Lucy's own brand of banter and crowd participation. Lucy has the ability to still an audience with the strength and purity of her voice, which she uses to great effect on the unaccompanied songs that sprinkle her set. She is developing into a fine songwriter and a consummate performer who wows her audience with her genuine and sparkling personality and her stunning voice.
Brit folk's most vibrant and forthright new young talent..Mojo magazine

Ruth Moody... is a Juno Award winning songwriter from Winnipeg, Manitoba. She is the founding member of the internationally renowned, Billboard-charting trio The Wailin' Jennys and former lead singer of the Canadian roots band Scruj MacDuhk. Although best known for her work with The Wailin' Jennys, Ruth is an artist of exceptional depth and grace in her own right. Critics have lauded her ethereal vocals, impressive multi-instrumentalism, and her masterful song writing. Written with a maturity and wisdom that belies her age, her songs are timeless, universal, and exceptionally well-crafted, all sung with an intimacy and honesty that is unmistakably hers. Ruth is the support act for Mark Knopfler at The Royal Albert Hall in London between 27th May and 1st June.

Gren Bartley... is a prolific and exceptional songwriter. He is constantly touring and forever writing. The new album "Winter Fires" (out Spring 2013) is set to build further upon the success of 2012's critically acclaimed "Songs To Scythe Back The Overgrown". Expect phenomenal guitar playing and poetry driven lyrics, catchy melodies and absorbing narratives. Gren will be accompanied by Julia Disney on vocals, fiddle and piano.

Landermason
Northumbrian, Multi instrumentalist Fiona Lander(vocals, piano, whistles, saxes, clarinet and recorder) and Paul Mason (guitars and vocals) have developed a unique sound which displays their undoubted talents. They combine both traditional and contemporary folk with jazz and other styles in their beautiful and striking arrangements.

Shipcote & Friends are the Gentle geordie jazzy swingy country troupe:
Shipcote - Guitar/ Vocals, the silver foxed songwriter, based in Gateshead Upon Tyne. He was originally with Hot Licks Cookies - 30's authentic bluesy jug band duo & also helped form Martin Stephenson & The Toe Rags.
Jon Codd - Double Bass who has played in Blues/jazz bands forever & ever AND has finally found the cure to bluegrass/country music making... Live in Shipcote!
Brian Younger - Guitar/Banjo the jazzy guitar master who had early career success with White Heat, whoever they were & yet never played banjo with them!
Cath Reding - Fiddle/Accordion/piano and great musician, teacher, listener & lovely lady. Whatever is she doing with this lot?
"Charming and Gentle Western Swing from North Eastern Troubadour's" No Depression - July 2012

Greg Russell and Ciaran Algar "Our admiration and respect should go to Paul Adams at Fellside Recordings for yet another coup. Not only did he manage to promote and nurture a certain Spiers & Boden burgeoning recording career but it now looks like he might have hit bulls-eye again with young whippersnappers Russell & Algar". Pete Fyfe.

Fourum have been entertaining audiences since 1972 with their own special brand of music and humour and are best known for their unique evocative songs, composed by group member Allen Miller, portraying the characters, history and legends of the North Yorkshire Dales, - but their repertoire also includes traditional Scottish, Irish and Tyneside music. Now celebrating their 40th year of singing together, the group is still going strong and their passion for making music and telling stories is undiminished, as is evidenced by the appreciative response of audiences wherever they play.

"As an acoustic finger-picking guitar and banjo player he has few if any equals in his age group; as an acoustic rooted-in-folk writer he's developing an alarmingly good canon of work" R2 Magazine
"A quiet triumph, no less" fRoots

The press coverage and folk club reports have been glowing and rightly so, on hearing the first CD from this young duo. Greg and Ciaran are a mere nineteen and sixteen years old respectively. You would not guess it, on listening to the accomplished singing and playing. R2 Magazine

Jess Morgan... writes songs which tell stories - which are bound to capture your attention if not leave you clinging to the edge of your seat. Jess is a singer-songwriter who is steadily building a name for herself in roots and folk music at home and away. Accompanied by acoustic guitar Jess's style has been likened to that of the classic names of the 1970s but with her own distinguishable voice and British subject matter. Songs are peppered with influence from both Jess's Welsh and English heritage.
'Gorgeous country folk ' The Guardian
'A dynamic new singer-songwriter who packs substantial stories into her numbers' R2 Mag

Wilful Missing... are a 5-piece band, most of whom live in Bradford, UK. The first of our music to get an official release was the Vast Atlantic EP in 2009. The album, Molehills out of Mountains, was released in December 2011. Steve Lamacq and Tom Robinson have played our music on Radio 2 and 6Music, and we have performed several live sessions for BBC Radio Leeds. In 2011 four of our songs featured in Waterloo Road on BBC Television.

'rather spendid...bound to spread smiles wherever it goes...There's something intangibly uplifting that shines out of every track.' (4/5)R2 Magazine (Album review)

Wes Finch is a charismatic and engaging Warwickshire based singer and songwriter who plays predominantly finger style acoustic guitar. His songs are roots and Americana inspired and the lyrics intelligent, witty and often celebratory of British nature. Wes has 3 albums and various EPs available through the Bandcamp website, plays extensively at venues and festivals over the country and is supporting Billy Bragg at The Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford on Avon this June. His latest album 'Mayflower' (2012) was listed in Americana UK's staff writers' top ten and continues to receive warm reviews. Recently working with the Unity Roots artist management company, Wes continues to write, play, and reach an ever increasing fan base.

Laura James , “Cumbria born Laura, oozes talent. From her sublime acoustic guitar playing and gentle angelic vocals to her beautifully innocent lyrics that only come along with youth. Each song told a story and each word captured everybody there... this young singer/songwriter has the sweetest disposition on stage and you can't help but float along with her music. A truly captivating performance...” Music Mafia
“Lyrical Ability at it’s finest!” Peter Guy, Mersey Blogs

Ian Douglas is a Storyteller and Theatre Maker living and working in West Cumbria. With over 15 years of experience delivering storytelling, performance and theatre activities for schools, arts organisations, communities and festivals across Britain, he has developed a practise approach which mixes sensitivity, Commedic energy and wit leading to a style all of his own. The origins of Ian's work are steeped in the traditions of street theatre which has helped him develop his unique storytelling style. His work has been described as 'truly inspirational' and draws upon a rich vein of British folk tales and world myths.

Elaine Davidson is one of Cumbria's finest singer/songwriters. She began her musical life in St Mary's church choir in Wigton, and by the age of eighteen she was busking her way around the capitals of Europe. In 2011 Elaine released her second CD Moon & Tide, which was produced by Steve Brookfield and co-featuring multi-instrumentalist Danny Hart. The CD was launched on board the Ullswater steamer, The Lady of the Lake, which was the perfect backdrop to the beautiful song Galloway the Fair, the enchanting Lady of the Lake or indeed the moving Foxes of Cumberland. Elaine continues to forge her own path writing songs and is currently recording her third album.

Lisbee Stainton is a 24 year-old singer-songwriter known as 'The English Rose With The 8-String Guitar', who has been writing songs for almost 15 years. Lisbee originally launched her career five years ago, when she became the first unsigned singer-songwriter to play London's O2 Arena, performing two shows to 30,000 people. Lisbee rounded off 2012 with a UK tour supporting Ben Montague a series of her own headline dates and a concert hall tour with Seth Lakeman but this time as a special guest in Seth’s band. 2013 saw her playing her own headline tour of the UK in March, plus more touring with Seth Lakeman and the release of a new album. "Cultured folk pop" - The Independent on Sunday