Tag: Kate Griffin

It has only been a short space of time since The Magpies burst onto the UK folk scene, but they have already made a huge impact with their fresh brand of transatlantic neo-folk and have been ‘making waves wherever they play’ (Phil Beer, Show of Hands).

Three accomplished musicians in their own right, The Magpies new line-up is a combination far greater than the sum of its parts. Celtic Connections Danny Kyle Award winning guitarist, banjo-player and singer Bella Gaffney, clawhammer banjo player and singer Kate Griffin and acclaimed fiddle-player and tunesmith Holly Brandon draw on their wide-ranging influences to create a unique blend of contemporary roots music.

Renowned for their mesmerising live performances, 2018 saw The Magpies excel at festivals such as Cambridge Folk Festival, Wickham Festival, Towersey Festival and Deer Shed Festival. 2019 saw their first international concerts, with showcases at Folk Alliance International in Montreal, a successful tour in Ireland and performances at Costa del Folk in Portugal. And the summer brought many more festival bookings including Glastonbury Festival, Larmer Tree Festival, Shambala Festival and Warwick Folk Festival.

The Magpies’ incredibly well-received debut album Tidings was released in June 2020 (‘check that album out’ – BBC Radio 2). A rich and varied showcase of their live show, the album is a masterful combination of The Magpies’ individual talents and influences, with the magical sound that emerges when they perform together. Tidings explores uniquely female experiences in unpredictable and surprising ways, bringing a fresh voice to the current milieu. Their latest single ‘I Never Will Marry’ builds on this further, remaining faithful to the women of the song’s past, whilst bringing a powerful 21st century energy to the traditional.

The Magpies have recently announced that they will be hosting their first festival – The Magpies Festival – which will take place on Saturday 14th August in the stunning parkland of York’s stately home, Sutton Park. The line-up is set to include the likes of Sam Kelly & The Lost Boys, Rob Heron & The Tea Pad Orchestra, Blair Dunlop and Katherine Priddy, with more exciting names to be announced. Working alongside Women’s Aid, the festival aims to support a gender balance across its line-up and management, as well as encouraging emerging local artists. Established to be adaptable to any change in government guidelines, it’s one festival that looks set to go ahead this summer.

Tickets are on sale now from www.themagpiesfestival.co.uk.

The Magpies will also return to the road later in 2021, with full Autumn tour dates as follows: (Tickets available from their website with a link below or directly from the venues with the contact details included)

1st September – Acapela Studio, Cardiff CF15 9QD £16.50 inc booking fee 7.30 pm info@acapela.co.uk 029 2089 0862

2nd September – The Prince Albert, Rodborough Hill, Stroud non ticketed event. Donations on the door. 7.30 pm. 01453 755600

3rd September – Harwell Village Hall, Didcot, near Oxford OX11 OEX £16.50 inc booking fee 7.30 pm 01235 835430 (+ Craig Joiner support act)

4th September – Blue Sky Cafe, High Street, Bangor £13.20 inc booking fee 7.30 pm blueskybach@gmail.com 01248 355444

5th September – The Live Room, Saltaire- (Caroline Street Social club, Shipley) £11 6.30 pm hilary@theliveroom.info 07855 164182 (+ Maz O’Connor in support)

6th September – Staveley Roundhouse, Main Street, Staveley, near Kendal LA8 9LU Members- £11, General admission- £13.20 inc booking fee 7.30 pm staveleyrht@btinternet.com 01539-561076

7th September – The Hug and Pint, Great Western Road, Glasgow 7.30 pm £8 inc booking fee 0141 258 2882 social@thehugandpint.com (+ Chameleon Lady and Liam Welsh)

8th September – The Greystones, Greystones Road, Sheffield 7.30 pm £14.30 inc booking fee greystones@thornbridge.co.uk 01142 665599

9th September – Gosforth Civic Centre, Regent Farm road, Newcastle 7.30pm Unemployed/benefits/student etc- £9.12, Full price £11.25 inc booking fee info@gosforthcivictheatre.co.uk 0191 284 3700

10th September – The Crescent, York YO24 1AW 7.30 pm £11 inc booking fee thecrescentyork@gmail.com 01904 622510

11th September – The Sound Lounge, High street, Sutton, London 7pm £13.10 inc booking fee info@thesoundlounge.org.uk 0208 770 3181 (+ Oka Vanga- joint headline gig)

12th September – Hanger Farm Arts Centre, Aikman Lane, Southampton 7.30 pm £12 / £10 concessions 023 8066 7683 hangerfarm@minsteadtrust.org.uk

13th September – Kitchen Garden Cafe, York Road, Kings Heath, Birmingham 7.30 pm unemployed £11 inc booking fee General £13.20 inc booking fee, info@kitchengardencafe.co.uk 0121 443 4725

14th September – The Musician, Clyde Street, Leicester 8pm £11 inc booking fee rideout@stayfree.co.uk 0116-251-0080

16th September – Rosslyn Court, Sweyn road, Cliftonville, Margate 7.15 pm £13.20 inc booking fee 07902 140249

17th September – Downend Folk Club, Lincombe Barn, Bristol 7.30 pm £15 downendfolkclub@live.com 07837 881941

Tickets also available from themagpiesmusic.com

‘I Never Will Marry’ – official video: