Folk award-winner announces end of year show.

Local songwriter Chris Cleverley concludes the year with a headline concert at the Crescent Theatre, Birmingham, on Monday 1st December 2014.

Over the past twelve months, Chris’ reputation as an accomplished musician and writer has grown considerably, thanks to choice appearances at such festivals as the Moseley and Stroud Folk Festivals. In May he also won the prestigious Isambard Award at the Bristol Folk Festival – a title many see as a precursor to the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards, and previously won by BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards winners Josienne Clarke and Ben Walker.

The son of a Birmingham blues musician, Chris’ initial inspiration came from such long-standing boundary-pushing artists as John Martyn, Bert Jansch and Martin Simpson.

Describing his style of music, Chris says: “It’s grounded in folk traditions, and very much centred on guitar playing, but it incorporates influences from several different genres to create something unexpected.”

Increasingly playing gigs away from his Birmingham base, among the acts Chris has supported are Bellowhead’s Spiers and Boden, Jim Moray and Martha Tilston (who described Chris as “sublime”).

Taking a break from recording his debut album, due for release early 2015, the Crescent show sees Chris backed by his full band: Dave Sutherland (bass), Howard Smith (drums) and Steph Gabb (backing vocals), plus special guests Mellow Peaches’ Amit Dattani and Stourbridge singer/dulcimer player Kim Lowings (from Kim Lowings and The Greenwoods).

“In the run-up to the release of the album, we’ll be showcasing arrangements of songs with the band, along with a few covers and a little bit of solo stuff, as well as a couple of new songs too,” says Chris.

Tickets for the show are £6.50 and available from the theatre box office 0121 643 5858 or www.crescent-theatre.co.uk