Irish traditional singer-songwriter Cara Dillon, Malian kora virtuoso Toumani Diabate, Indian tabla master Zakir Hussain and Northumbrian folk family the Unthanks are amongst the diverse artists appearing in this autumn’s folk, world and roots music programme at Birmingham Town Hall and Symphony Hall.
The Unthanks 8Dec Town Hall Birmingham
The programme stretches over four months and will also feature such diversities as Nashville bluegrass and country, Bulgarian traditional choral music, Cornish harmonies and folk-pop covers of punk classics.
Van Morrison 2 Sep Symphony Hall Birmingham
Other artists appearing over the season include Birmingham’s own gypsy punks the Destroyers, singer-songwriter Van Morrison and Texan country star and political activist Steve Earle and the Dukes (and Duchesses) featuring Alison Moorer.
In addition to ticketed events, music fans can get their fix of world and folk music for free at the monthly Mid-day Mantra and Folk For Free sessions in the Symphony Hall Cafe Bar. Presented in association with sampad, Mid-day Mantra presents outstanding Asian artists from the UK and the Indian subcontinent in relaxed, informal sessions while Folk For Free, presented in association with Moseley Folk, showcases some of the very best in contemporary folk from around the West Midlands in Thursday evening sessions.
The first major folk concert in the Autumn programme features the mesmerising and sublime Derry-born vocalist Cara Dillon (16th October, Town Hall), performing songs drawn from her four albums including BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards album of 2010, Hill of Thieves.
Music by the Clash, Squeeze, The Jam and other punk and new wave heroes of the late 1970s will get a rousing folk reworking on stage at the Town Hall by Adrian Edmondson and the Bad Shepherds when they appear on 3 November as part of The First Farewell tour.
On 13th November, Janis Ian, Grammy award winning veteran American singer-songwriter, author and creator of a substantial back catalogue of music, including hit songs Society’s Child (Baby I’ve Been Thinking) and At Seventeen plays the Town Hall.
Ex-Rolling Stones session player Phil Beer and songwriting partner Steve Knightley, who gave guitar lessons to a young PJ Harvey, make up the successful and popular folk duo Show of Hands. They will appear at the Town Hall on 24th November with double bassist Miranda Sykes and special guest US folk songwriter Richard Shindell.
Last year’s Town Hall concert Port Isaac’s Fisherman’s Friends’ was a sell-out and rip-roaring affair stuffed with the stirring sea shanties, hearty harmonies and sense of humour that have catapulted the ten-strong group from Cornwall’s rugged north coast to stardom. They return to the venue on 30th November.
Veteran folk innovators Steeleye Span celebrate over forty years of innovation in music live in concert at the Town Hall on 6th December. Continuing to make musical history with two new members post 2009 album Cogs, Wheels and Lovers, the band revisit their classic sixth album We Are Six, which was first released over 37 years ago.
The last major folk concert of the autumn programme welcomes sisters Rachel and Becky Unthank on stage along with musical arranger, Adrian McNally, young Northumbrian songwriter Johnny Kearney and a string quartet for ‘The Unthanks explore and perform the music of Robert Wyatt and Antony and the Johnsons’ at the Town Hall on 8th December.
All-female choir Le Mystere Des Voix Bulgares, who have been performing and recording in various guises since 1952, return to the Town Hall on 30th October. Their evening concert will once more feature the polyphonic singing and heavenly melodies that led to reissues of the group’s works on the hip 4AD label, a Grammy Award and worldwide acclaim.
Toumani Diabate 4 Nov Town Hall Birmingham credit Youri Lenquette
Toumani Diabate is the latest in a long line of musicians – the 71st generation to be precise – renowned for playing the 21-string harp-like African kora, and a major force in world music. He has collaborated with fellow Malian Ali Farka Toure, Icelandic singer Bjork and US bluesman Taj Mahal amongsts and his appearance at the Town Hall on 4th November promises to be one of the world music highlights of the season.
Often regarded as the world’s greatest living tabla player, Zakir Hussain first performed in concert with Ravi Shankar before going on to enjoy an illustrious international career that led to work with George Harrison, Bela Fleck, the Kodo Drummers, the Grateful Dead, and many others. His Masters of Percussion tour reaches the Town Hall on 8th November.
On 10th December, Birmingham collective the Destroyers return to their home city for a 1920’s themed evening in the majestic surroundings of the Town Hall, promising explosive Balkan brass, gypsy-jazz sensibilities and carnival capers. The band have also invited local comrades-in-arms the Mike Fletcher Big Band to join in the fun.
Van Morrison, who needs little introduction, follows up his 2008 appearance at Symphony Hall with an intimate concert at the venue on 2nd September. Van the Man has been performing his unique soul and R&B since the 1960s – many of his songs are now the stuff of music legends.
Distilling the best of seventies supergroup Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young into an acclaimed creative partnership, David Crosby & Graham Nash have recorded five studio and two live albums together as well as contributing to Joni Mitchell, James Taylor and Jackson Browne songs. Crosby & Nash bring the sound of musical history to Symphony Hall on 6th October.
Roger McGuinn - Natick, MA_(2011) Photo by Fred Harrington April 8, 2011
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member and co-founder of the Byrds Roger McGuinn has been a crucial part of the American music scene since the early 1960s. An Evening with Roger McGuinn at the Town Hall on 17th October will see the star draw on a vast back catalogue armed with his trademark 12-string Rickenbacker.
Country star, author, political activist and star of The Wire Steve Earle leads a collection of musicians including his wife Alison Moorer, guitarist Chris Masterson, violinist Eleanor Whitmore, bassist Kelly Looney and drummer Will Rigby – Steve Earle and the Dukes (and Duchesses) appear at Symphony Hall on 31st October.
For further details and ticket sales visit www.thsh.co.uk or ring 0121-780 3333.