Welcome

Welcome to TODMORDEN FOLK FESTIVAL 2022

We are so pleased to be back at last! After such a difficult and uncertain time since our last festival in 2019, it’s a great feeling to be bringing live folk music back to Todmorden. Venues across our vibrant little town will be buzzing once again. We’ve always recognised that folk is a broad term which encompasses many musical forms and this year we are proud to bring another eclectic and exciting mix of music to the festival. To kick the weekend off with a bang, ceilidh band Frog on a Bike will raise the roof of our new venue Todmorden College. Meanwhile, in St Mary’s Church we’ll be treated to a concert by some of West Yorkshire’s best vocal folk artists including family trio The Bromleys and the newly-formed duo of Bryony Griffith and Alice Jones. Saturday is packed with musical delights. Our afternoon concert features The Greyhounds, who bring both contemporary music and interpretations of traditional ballads, and Michelle and Bonz performing English and American folk songs. The evening concert held in the impressive Unitarian Church is headlined by cross-border folk multi-instrumentalists and festival favourites The Shee. On Sunday we’ll be hosting a canal-side openair stage in Oxford Street car park with a range of feel-good music, scrumptious offerings from local restaurant legends Yakumama and more. As you weave from venue to venue over the weekend, watch out for the fantastic array of dance teams that will be performing. As well as the concerts, we’ve got family friendly activities and a fascinating workshop to entice you on Saturday morning, and a chance to reflect and recharge on Sunday at the Folk Eucharist at St Mary’s Church. This festival really couldn’t happen without the backing of local businesses supporting us through advertising, sponsorship and other contributions and we would like to thank everyone who lives and works in Todmorden for their enthusiastic support. Whether you live locally or are visiting our wonderful town especially for the festival, we hope you enjoy the weekend!

ARTISTS

The Shee

The Shee bring electro-harp, accordion, fiddle, flute, percussion, mandolin and three powerful voices together with a range of individual musical influences to produce an adventurous brew of Folk, Gaelic and American music. The Shee are previous nominees of Best Live Act at the MG Alba Scots Trad Awards and includes the BBC Radio Folk Award Musician of the Year, Rachel Newton, among their ranks. They have recorded four albums to date, each received with great acclaim.

Granny’s Attic

With exceptional musicianship and boundless energy, Granny’s Attic are going from strength to strength. Cohen Braithwaite-Kilcoyne (melodeon, anglo concertina, vocals), George Sansome (guitar, vocals) and Lewis Wood (violin, vocals) have honed their skills touring the UK and Europe since 2009. They are much loved by audiences up and down the country, with bookings everywhere from Cambridge Folk Festival to Cecil Sharp House. The trio have been heralded for their lively performances and skilled delivery of traditional material, playing with verve, energy and their own inimitable style. Though grounded in tradition, they are keen to push new boundaries by exploring fresh approaches and writing their own compositions. In October 2021, they released their latest album, The Brickfields, an instrumental collection that sees them reach new heights both as performers and composers. Described by Folk Radio as “one of the most exciting and accomplished English folk acts on the scene right now”, this outstanding trio can hold audiences in the palm of their hand.

ARTISTS

The Greyhounds

Fragile and fluid, The Greyhounds recharge traditional music and offer new writing to the canon. John Ellis on piano, Sarah Dale on cello and Ian Fletcher on guitar bring seasoned calibre and unexpected texture to the mix, whilst maintaining an intuitive balance with Sonya Moorhead’s honest and expressive vocals. “…transfixed by the mix of modern keys, cello and Sonya’s voice which acts as both songstress and storyteller…it was a really beautiful set”- ‘Even the Stars’ independent music reviewer at Head for the Hills, Ramsbottom Festival.

Bryony & Alice

A powerful new duo is emerging from the chaos of the last 12 months - and the folk world has been waiting! As established solo artists, Bryony Griffith and Alice Jones are no strangers to the folk scene, however the force of this phenomenal “new” duo is sure to turn some heads, and for very good reason. Hailing from the close knit communities of West Yorkshire, both are long-time purveyors and performers of traditional English folk music, united by a mutual fascination with folk song and tune collections from their native county. Bryony and Alice draw on a wealth of stories inspired by the landscape and language of their surroundings, not to mention the local characters they have both grown up with and still live amongst today.

ARTISTS

Frog on a Bike Ceilidh Band

Frog on a Bike are an accomplished, energetic, dance floor-packing English ceilidh band, covering Cambridgeshire, Peterborough and South Lincolnshire areas, as well as top folk festivals up and down the UK. Their enthusiastic playing, big sound and driving rhythm is guaranteed to have you up and dancing.

Cacophany Arkestra

Formed in 2014 from a group of talented musicians and carnival artists, Cacophany Arkestra perform a high energy mix of Soca and Calypso tunes blended with other musical styles such as Ska, Jazz and Afrobeat.

The Bromleys

The Bromleys are John, Jenny and James (father, daughter and son). Each gifted with a powerful voice, they sing a mixture of traditional and contemporary folk songs in three part harmony, both a capella and with instrumental accompaniment. Together, The Bromleys create a rich blend of voices that is unique to their kin. They have each performed solo and as part of a variety of bands, including Kimber’s Men, Hebric and A Rookery. Singing runs through their blood. The Bromleys have been well received at a number of folk festivals and clubs and have recently released their debut EP Oak and Ash and Thorn.

ARTISTS

Isaac Hughes-Dennis

Isaac Hughes-Dennis is a politi/comedy/folk musician who combines eloquent wit, upbeat tunes and bold political statements for the pleasure and entertainment of any given audience. Described as ‘Tim Minchin on steroids’ and ‘The most un-politically correct young person’, Isaac Hughes-Dennis is not one to be missed.

Michelle and Bonz

Michelle and Bonz perform English and American folk songs on guitar, banjo, dobro and harmonica, alongside tunes in the classic fingerstyle banjo. Come and enjoy their relaxed stage patter, tight harmonies, gentle humour and well chosen songs. Singing together for over 12 years, with 3 studio CDs and a live double, they never disappoint.

Jiggerie Folkerie

Jiggerie Folkerie are a Calderdale based youth folk band with members aged 818. With performances at The Trades Club, Hebden Bridge Town Hall and Wadsworth Community Centre under their belts they combine instrumental talent with the energy and enthusiasm of youth - you’ll be sure to leave with a smile on your face!

Calderdale Fantasy

Orchestra

Calderdale Fantasy Orchestra is a new community orchestra and choir led by David Insua-cao. Born from Bristol’s ‘The Fantasy Orchestra’, begun by Jesse Vernon (The Moonflowers; This is the Kit’) and performing a massive variety of material, they are bringing the kaleidoscopic symphony to the Calder Valley. They will be performing as a festival warm-up for the Stewards Briefing event at The Golden Lion.

Outside the Box

Outside the Box are a Calderdale based trio featuring Mark Paramor on guitar, Justin Graham on accordion and Daz Jones on bass. Coming from a background of ceilidh, strict time Scottish Competition, New Orleans Second Line Jazz, Folk and Punk bands they put their own feel to songs and tunes old and new. Add beautiful and full-throated three-part harmonies and foot-tapping energy, glorious tunes and sing-along choruses.

The Frank Burkitt Band (duo)

Frank is a storyteller, songwriter and guitarist drawing influences from Scottish traditional folk and Americana. With his partner Kara and his New Zealand based ensemble, he has toured extensively through NZ, Australia, Canada, Ireland and the UK. In 2019 the band were awarded the Vodafone NZ Music Award (Tui) for Best Folk Artist. Frank and Kara moved to Manchester at the start of 2020 – shifting the band from a full ensemble to a duo (Frank on guitar and vocals, Kara on flute and vocals). They used lockdown to create a new set of earthy, honest and harmonious songs which they can’t wait to share with audiences across the UK and beyond. ‘Silvereye’, named after the beautiful small bird of NZ, is their most intimate, sentimental and personally revealing album yet.