4 minute read
Stand & Deliver
Mark Radcliffe speaks with Natalie Anglesey about music, celebrating his birthday and the inaugural Knutsford Music Festival
Indeed Mark is so involved in this community that he’s teamed up with Knutsford Town Council to host a series of gigs for the Knutsford Music Festival. ‘Mark Radcliffe Presents Folk at the Theatre’ will be part of the council’s wider celebration of music ranging from classical to blues and folk echoing throughout the town. “Nobody’s making any money out of this as much is done out of good will - but the music will be top quality,” Mark insists.
“I’ve booked all the acts myself - thanks to my contacts presenting the Radio 2 Folk programme. Most of these guys are either doing this as a favour or appearing at massively reduced fees which will barely cover their expenses.
“Friday’s headliner is Pilgrim’s Way. The BBC Radio 2 Folk Award nominees from Stockport include multi-instrumentalist, Jon Loomes, who played 22 instruments on their Red Diesel album. I wanted to book this act as a nod to Knutsford’s Highwayman Higgins as they sing songs about highwaymen through traditional English folk song… and even 1980s disco so there may be a bit of Stand and Deliver, you never know!”
When I tease Mark about highwaymen in Knutsford, he’s quick to correct me. “There really was a Highwayman Higgins and there’s a blue plaque on the Heath that tells you where he lived. I’m personally intrigued by these legendary figures as I also have a seven-piece, pirate folk-rock band called Galleon Blast; although they won’t be appearing on this occasion - perhaps another time!”
Born in Bolton and educated at Bolton School and Manchester University, Mark took an interest in music from an early age, joining numerous bands while at school and university. As a broadcaster, musician and writer, he’s perhaps best known for his work with the BBC although he began his broadcasting career in local commercial radio.
“It was easy for me to get a foot in the door, as my dad, Phil Radcliffe, a well-respected journalist, was then on the board of Piccadilly Radio. My dad infected me with his love of music and words and we both shared a passion for art. Looking back I think my generation had it relatively easy because we didn’t have to fight any wars and we still had university grants in those days.”
Mark’s BBC career started in 1983 when he produced sessions at Maida Vale Studios for John Peel’s show. He was my producer when I presented the Radio 2 Arts Programme, before deciding he really wanted to be a presenter. He was personally responsible for broadcasting many BBC Radio programmes from Manchester rather than London.
In 1991, Mark presented Out on Blue Six and a couple of years later The Guest List. He famously formed a radio partnership with former Fall guitarist, Marc Riley and as Mark and Lard, they worked on the Radio 1 Breakfast Show as well as a subsequent afternoon show which garnered three prestigious Sony Radio Academy Awards.
Mark went solo in the mid-’90’s on Channel 4’s music series, The White Room, where he first met his wife. He joined Radio 2 and presented several television programmes, including Glastonbury and Top of The Pops. He even won Celebrity Stars in Their Eyes with his impersonation of Shane MacGowan of The Pogues.
“There were all these glamorous folk from Emmerdale and Coronation Street as well as Paul Burrell, Diana’s butler, and there was me with blacked out teeth – so I knew I’d no hope of winning. I was gob-smacked when they announced I’d won and when I asked what was the prize? They said - just winning!”
Mark remains a presenter on BBC Radio 2, where he weekly presents The Folk Show. On Radio 6 Music he co-hosts a weekday afternoon show, Radcliffe & Maconie, with colleague and friend Stuart Maconie. “When Wigan beat my football club, Manchester City, Stuart promised I’d never hear the end of it - and he’s a man of his word!“
In between broadcasts, for a time, Mark produced the comedy series Count Arthur Strong. He wrote the autobiographical Showbusiness: The Diary of a Rock ‘N’ Roll Nobody; a critically acclaimed history of his attempts at a career as a musician. His novel Northern Sky – based around a folk music club in an imaginary northern English city – was published in 2005. Thank You For the Days, published in 2009 and another memoir, Reelin’ in the Years, was published in 2011. Is there another book in the offing? “I may have run out of things to write about. I don’t find writing relaxing - so not sure yet.”
Mark remains a passionate musician, and he’s totally involved with Knutsford’s Festival. “On the Saturday Mike McGoldrick and friends will perform, while I’ll be on stage on the Sunday joining my former Family Mahone bandmates for a stripped back folk show. Acclaimed folk duo Greg Russell and Ciaran Algar will then close the show. They’ve won a couple of BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards and are still only in their early 20s.
Mark was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Letters from the University of Bolton. “I was made up and my dad was even prouder,” he beams. As he approaches his 60th birthday, he‘s decided against having a party and with some friends he’s off on a musical tour of Nashville and Gracelands.
Meanwhile Mark’s really excited about this festival. “I’m thrilled to be part of Knutsford Music Festival as it’s the town I live in and I wanted to make a contribution. I can promise you three evenings of truly exceptional music in a folk and roots style and I look forward to counting on your support at our cherished Little Theatre. So don’t leave it too late before you book!” Knutsford Music Festival, 22-24 June, 2018 (buytickets.at/knutsfordmusicfestivalmarkradcliffe)
