Folk and Roots - The Guide to the Folk, Roots and Acoustic Scene

Folk and Roots presents FolkOnMonday, a night of the best of the folk and roots scene held on the first and third Mondays of the month in London.

Our next night will be held on Monday 30th January - featuring Genticorum with support from The Raven at The Slaughtered Lamb, Islington

Genticorum has become one of the most sought-after exponents of Quebecois musical culture, having now performed and toured across North America, Europe, Asia and Oceania – more than 15 countries in all. ...Firmly rooted in the soil of their native land, this energetic and original power trio also incorporate the dynamism of contemporary North American and European folk cultures into their music. They weave precise and intricate fiddle and flute work, gorgeous vocal harmonies, energetic foot percussion, and guitar and bass accompaniment into a jubilant musical feast. GENTICORUM’s distinctive sound, sense of humour and stage presence make it a supreme crowd pleaser – though never at the expense of the music.

See www.folkonmonday.co.uk for further details and join the facebook group to keep in touch with whats happening and make a note in your diary

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Folk and Roots provides a monthly guide to whats happening around the Folk, Roots and Acoustic Scene, click on the Calendar above for details.

A stunning synthesis of virtuosity and energy, The Outside Track's marriage of Canadian, Scottish and Irish music and song has been rapturously received around the world. Hailing from Scotland, Ireland, Cape Breton and Vancouver, its five members are united by a love of traditional music and a commitment to creating new music on its foundation. Using fiddle, accordion, harp, guitar, flute, step-dance and vocals these five virtuosos blend boundless energy with unmistakable joie de vivre.

The line up comprises Norah Rendell (Canadian Traditional Singer of the Year nominee), Mairi Rankin (Beolach), Ailie Robertson (Live Ireland Winner, BBC Young Trad Finalist), Fiona Black (BBC Fame Academy Winner), and Cillian O'Dalaigh.

The Outside Track are touring the UK during February, find out where at www.theoutsidetrack.com

Refreshingly different, reassuringly traditional, Pilgrims' Way are a 3-piece band with a big personality and big sound.
Playing their own particular brand of Folk music, they were brought together by a series of chance meetings at sessions around the North West of England, bonding over red hair and a shared love of traditional music, they have been shaking up assorted kitchens, public houses and folk venues ever since.
Their influences individually are many and varied but they share a deep respect for the tradition and take as their inspiration some of the most influential bands from the 60s/70s revival.

Pilgrims' Way are touring throughout January and beyond see www.pilgrims-way.net

skyhook are characterised by breathtaking twin fiddles combined with sublime guitar, bouzouki and voice. They shift seamlessly between exhilarating dance music, with unique interplay and harmonies from the fiddles, to spine-tingling songs which are sensitively arranged and beautifully sung. skyhook play with a joy and precision that's hard to match.

skyhook have a number of dates during February and April - see www.skyhookmusic.com for details.

Mummers, Maypoles and Milkmaids

This exhibition brings together 50 photographs of regional rituals performed throughout the year in England.
Costumed processions, symbolic dramatizations, traditional dances and fire ceremonies mark the changing seasons and celebrate nature’s bounty. Many of these customs claim an ancient origin.
London practices are well documented including Borough Market’s Apple Day celebrations and Twelfth Night Wassailing on the South Bank.
Award-winning photographer Sara Hannant’s vibrant images offer a captivating and surprising glimpse of contemporary ‘Merrie England’.
This exhibition will be on display at The Horniman Museum, Forest Hill, South London until October 2012, see www.horniman.ac.uk for details.

"The greatest Celtic harper of our age" (Live Ireland) and TG4 Irish Traditional Musician of the Year 2001 with "one of the UK's most staggering and influential acoustic guitarists" (fRoots)
"When it comes to virtuoso work on this ancient and delicate instrument, Maire Ni Chathasaigh is in a class of her own" The Guardian
"An eclecticism and spirit of adventure that is quite thrilling... Virtuoso playing... bewitching string fantasies and a wonderfully "Brilliant, innovative harping and guitar-playing of astonishing virtuosity and versatility" Songlines "A gorgeously complex mix of the lovely and lyrical and the positively jubilant by two top-notch players. A real treasure" Dirty Linen (USA)
Máire Ní Chathasaigh & Chris Newman are touring at the moment, see www.oldbridgemusic.com for details.

"Acoustic chill-out band MuHa is a part of new musical migration movement in the UK known as New Roots from Eastern Europe.
It was formed in 2004, when Iryna Muha, Ukrainian born singer and songwriter, moved from New York, settled in Lincolnshire and met Dmitry Fedotov, a Latvian rock legend. They play a mix of Russian/ Ukrainian folklore and the original material influenced by Slavonic traditions.
The diverse backgrounds of the band members enrich the experience of their music by Brazilian sounds, Indian rhythms, Irish influences and Cuban elements.
The band features 2 acoustic guitars, harmonica, violin, variety of percussion (bodhran, berimbau, cajon, bongos), jews harp and kathak ghungroos."
MuHa play often around the Midlands area see www.muha.co.uk for details.

	Welcome to Folk and Roots, The online guide to the Folk, Roots and Acoustic Scene around the UK, providing information on events, festivals, workshops, venues, reviews and artists.