After our hugely successful Marsden Americana & Bluegrass Day in June, we’re looking forward to returning to the Carlile Institute in Meltham this autumn. We have two outstanding gigs in the works for you, featuring exceptional artists from the UK and USA.
First up, on Saturday 12th October we’re hosting the brilliant Kris Drever. This one is almost sold out already, so be quick if you want to join us! [UPDATE – Kris Drever gig is now sold out, but you can join the waitlist at that ticket link] Originally from Orkney, Kris has been a leading light of the UK folk and roots scene for many years. He has released five solo albums and has won numerous BBC Radio Two Folk Awards, and as well as his thriving solo career he’s a longtime member of the acclaimed and innovative trio Lau. Kris is also part of the award-winning Lost Words/Spell Songs project, in a stellar line-up that includes Karine Polwart and Julie Fowlis (as well as artist Jackie Morris and writer Robert Macfarlane). A highly skilled guitarist, fine singer and master songwriter who adroitly blends traditional and contemporary, Kris has frequently collaborated with many other musical luminaries including John McCusker, Aoife O’Donovan and Tim O’Brien, just to name a few. I’m a big fan and have seen Kris perform live numerous times – solo, with Lau, and alongside musical compadres including Laura Cortese, Nora Brown and Cahalan Morrison & Eli West. I can’t wait to host Kris in Meltham – and we also have excellent Leeds-based musician Katy Ryder in support – it’s going to be a magical gig! Kris Drever ticket link [SOLD OUT/join waitlist at link]
Then on Saturday 23rd November we welcome two sensational performers from the USA, Evie Ladin and Sophie Wellington. As well as performing a special duo concert, Sophie and Evie will each lead participatory workshops in the afternoon. A generation apart, both women grew up deep in the traditional folk music & dance scenes in the USA. Exploring an extensive shared repertoire of old-time and American roots music, both as much percussive dancers as multi-instrumentalists, they make a powerful duo. California-based banjo player, singer, songwriter, percussive-dancer, choreographer and square-dance caller Evie Ladin has toured the UK many times before, with the Stairwell Sisters and in a duo with Keith Terry. Evie’s performances, recordings and teaching reconnect Appalachian music and dance with other African-diaspora traditions, and she has taken them all around the world, from popular radio show A Prairie Home Companion to New York’s Lincoln Center, from Brazil to Bali, and from WOMAD festival to Edinburgh Tradfest. Sophie Wellington plays old time music on fiddle, guitar, voice and feet, and enjoys the connections between traditional repertoire and spontaneous improvisation. Hailing from Virginia and based in Boston, Sophie has been kicking up a storm in performance, and teaching at camps, since graduating from Berklee College of Music several years ago. In 2024, she’s been touring with acclaimed musician Willi Carlisle, simultaneously fiddling and flatfooting in an impassioned display of rhythm and skill. This is going to be a hugely entertaining concert, and we’re delighted to offer a choice of afternoon workshops too – body percussion with Evie and old time fiddle with Sophie! Ticket links – Evie & Sophie
These events are the final two concerts in True North Music’s 2023-24 live music series, supported by National Lottery Project Grants funding from Arts Council England. Many thanks to them for supporting grassroots live music, enabling us to continue to bring world class artists like this to our local community venues. We also want to thank our series sponsor Dark Woods Coffee for their support. There will be a licensed bar run by the Carlile CIC.