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RSS Feed - All eventsEnglish Originals Weekend Festival Exploring the rich and diverse traditions of English Music
Fri 25 Apr - Sun 27 Apr 5:30pm at Town Hall & Symphony Hall
Billy Bragg
Much has been made recently of the musical traditions of Ireland and Scotland and more recently Welsh music has begun to assert itself. But what of our own English traditions? In the week of St George’s Day, three special concerts at Birmingham Town Hall and Symphony Hall celebrate Englishness, in all it’s diversity, from traditional folk to contemporary singer-songwriters, individuals all connected by a strong sense of place, identity and wit, as well as possessing some fine musical talent.
National treasure and renowned singer-songwriter Billy Bragg opens the weekend (25 Apr) at Town Hall with an evening of exploration, looking at his own English roots and performing songs from his splendid new album Mr Love and Justice. Expect some special guests appearing on stage for a memorable night of inspired musical offerings from the ‘Baird of Barking’.
Town Hall welcomes the fresh sound of emerging talent with an evening of Rising Folk (26 Apr), featuring Seth Lakeman, hot on the heels of his double 2007 BBC Radio 2 Folk Award success for ‘Best Album’ and ‘Singer of the Year’. A former band mate of Kate Rusby and Cara Dillon and now sharing a record label with KT Tunstall and Joss Stone, Seth is one of the rising stars of English folk. Organic shape shifting folk-electronica collective Tunng will also be performing, twisting familiar folk soundscapes with their stunning and unique blend of experimental production, live vocals and music along with more artists to be confirmed soon.
Exploring the rich tradition of English female song and singers, the Festival presents the celebrated sounds of Daughters of Albion at Town Hall (27 Apr). Promising a night of dark wit interwoven with melancholy and passion, and featuring the talents of Norma Waterson, June Tabor, Kathryn Williams, Bishi, Lou Rhodes and Lisa Knapp this is a unique opportunity to let some of the finest female voices in this country take you on an exhilarating journey through English music traditions both past and present.
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