HepworthLIVE new season starts October 2024. We will continue to bring you the best in live folk and roots music to Hepworth Village Hall.
Tickets are only available from WeGotTickets.
Next Show
Saturday 30th November 2024
Belinda O'Hooley (solo)
plus support:The Good Earth Collective
Doors 7:30 Start 8:00pm
Belinda O’Hooley is an exceptionally gifted pianist, singer, songwriter and composer and has become renowned for her highly individual, emotional, yet sensitive musicality. She is half of four time BBC Radio 2 Folk Award Best Duo nominees O’Hooley & Tidow alongside her wife Heidi Tidow; together described by The Guardian as ‘exceptional songwriters.’ Their song ‘GentlemanJack’ features as the closing theme song for Sally Wainwright’s latest BBC/HBO drama series Gentleman Jack. Her inventive, minimalist, sometimes flamboyant accompanying of folk luminaries includes Rufus Wainwright ,Nic Jones, Jackie Oates and the Mercury nominated; Rachel Unthank and The Winterset. Belinda is also known for her role as DCS Liz Thornton in the final series of BAFTA winning drama ‘HappyValley’.
Her album ‘Inversions’ encapsulates the essence of an artist truly at one with her instrument.‘
Exquisite’*****. TheGuardian
‘Defiant, robust, northern, poetical, political folk music for the times we live in.' TheIndependent
‘Dense,complex,beautifullyperformed.’****Songlines
After a couple of memorable duo shows HepworthLive are delighted to welcome Belinda back for her first solo appearance here. Supporting Belinda at this show will be local group The Good Earth Collective, appearing as a trio.
Saturday 14th December 2024
Blue Rose Code
Doors 7:30 Start 8:00pm
We are thrilled to be welcoming back Blue Rose Code to Hepworth. Last here in March 2019 with his full band Ross performed one of our most memorable shows. This time it will be a duo show but again will be a brilliant show that you won't want to miss. We've seen Blue Rose Code three times in the last year both as the full band and as a duo and each time Ross has been superb with a show full of passion, energy and emotion.
Ross Wilson aka Blue Rose Code writes songs straight from – and to - the heart. They address universal themes in a deeply personal way and seamlessly blend folk, Americana, jazz, soul and pop influences into something truly unique.
Bright Circumstance, the long-awaited sixth album, is the finest to date and was released in May 2024 to universally positive reviews:
“Jubilant, prayerful, compassionate, Caledonian soul maestro Ross Wilson’s latest iteration of his Blue Rose Code band sees his songs bursting with heart” ***** The Scotsman
“The songs and playing on this album are quite exquisite, emotionally involving, and have a real depth…without doubt an absolute classic.” Louder Than War
A magnetic performer who loves to connect with his audience, this special duo show is a rare chance to hear the songs in an intimate musical setting.
“A set of almost religious intensity and sincerity. Wilson makes widescreen soul in the spirit of Van Morrison, and was full of the holy fire of live performance." The Times
"One of the greatest live acts around right now...do yourself a favour and go." Americana UK
Friday 31st January 2025
The East Pointers
Doors 7:30 Start 8:00pm
We are delighted to have negotiated a return visit of one of our favourite ever acts to appear at Hepworth. These guys from Prince Edward Island, Canada put on an absolutely delightful foot stomping performance in January 2019. Following the sad passing of Koady, Tim and Jake have continued to perform around the world.
Fans of The East Pointers have Koady Chaisson to thank for being the kinetic force behind the JUNO-Award winning indie-folk trio since the group formed in 2014. The dancefloor-shaking, electro-trad glorious combination of folk/pop has brought so much joy to audiences around the world. And now, even posthumously, Koady’s energetic fire continues to blaze the musical trail onward.It was on January 6, 2022 that Koady Chaisson of The East Pointers passed away from an unexpected heart aneurysm at 37. Those who were lucky to have been influenced by his creative and generous soul felt like a black hole had suddenly formed where the supernova of Koady’s light had been.But before his passing, Koady, Tim Chaisson, and Jake Charron, had recorded most of the tracks for two new EPs. Unlike any of the The East Pointers’ material to date, these precious songs are shiny and melodic, nostalgia-flared, folk experimental pop but with the same driving trad hooks for which the band has become known and revered.The first EP, House of Dreams,was released in September 2022 and was nominated for a JUNO Award in 2023. The second EP, Safe in Sound, was released in November 2023.
Saturday 15th February 2025
Hannah Read, Michael Starkey, Vera Van Heeringen
Doors 7:30 Start 8:00pm
HANNAH READ, VERA VAN HEERINGEN & MICHAEL STARKEY
"Three unique musical voices unite to deliver a powerful yet intimate blend of Appalachian old-time songs and tunes, alongside a collection of beautifully crafted soulful originals."
Over recent years, Hannah Read and Michael Starkey have fast become one of the most sought-after fiddle-banjo duos on the UK acoustic music scene. Their richly dynamic take on Appalachian old-time music has seen them enthrall audiences up and down the country, both during their live shows and on their critically acclaimed debut duo album 'Cross The Rolling Water', released on Hudson Records. They bring a unique depth of expression to traditional music, looking forwards and reaching out whilst still finding an anchor in its timeless language. At the heart of their sound is the complex and driving rhythmic interplay between fiddle and banjo, which draws the listener in “the way lungs draw in air” (Songlines), as they shine a light on “the powerful essence of the music” (RNR Magazine). To complete their sound, they bring a range of old, contemporary and original folk songs, sung with charismatic voices that are “destined to be appreciated for a very long time” (Old Time News). On the tour they are also have a special guest in Vera Van Heeringen, an accomplished and highly acclaimed multi-instrumentalist and songwriter. She was part of the brilliant comedic New Rope String Band for five years and has toured with several Cajun and old-time greats such as Eddie LeJeune and Dirk Powell.
QUOTES:
“So exciting to hear such a diversity of old and new tunes and depth of expression, all in the language of old-time music, but at the same time reaching out” - Bruce Molsky
“Gripping… all in all, it’s a foot-tappin’ delight, music and playing that draws you in the way lungs draw in air, the tunesmithery interspersed with fine balladry” - ★★★★ Songlines
“Wow! World Class.” - Andy Kershaw (broadcaster/journalist)
“Gem of a recording, an infectious, dynamic, richly layered album that's a timeless, irresistible and thoroughly entertaining treat” - Folk Radio UK
“Intimate and inventive musicianship… arranged and played beautifully” - Living Tradition
“Nothing has brought me as much pleasure as this record this week” - Ricky Ross, BBC Scotland
“Excellent” - Folk London
“Skilled players with a focus on the powerful essence of the music, their intuitive interactions draw every last nuance of sentiment in both the old and new” - ★★★★ RNR Magazine
“Outstanding performances, charismatic voices, well balanced instruments, great synergy between Hannah and Michael, admirable choice of tunes and songs, impressive musical virtuosity… destined to be appreciated for a very long time” - Old Time News
“There are so many joyful moments… Hannah’s fantastically rhythmic and widely varied bowing, linked with Michael’s five-string propulsion, is a case in point” - Tony Trischka
Friday 4th April 2025
Fara
Doors 7:30 Start 8:00pm
FARA
Filskit Fiddles Fae Orkney
(“Filskit, adj: frisky, high-spirited, exuberant; addicted to immoderate hilarity”)
SCOTS TRAD MUSIC AWARDS BEST LIVE ACT/BELHAVEN BURSARY NOMINEES 2019 BBC RADIO 2 HORIZON AWARD NOMINEES 2017
GERMAN CRITICS’ CHOICE AWARD WINNERS 2019
“Torch-bearers of a freshly reinvigorated tradition. . . one of the most exciting Scottish folk discoveries in recent years” (AllMusic)
“Gifted, imaginative, complex and engaging. . . a sound that just exudes joy” (FRUK) “Bring contemporary fiddle music to new heights. . . enthralling vocal arrangements” (Scotsman)
“From delicate, elegant and beautiful to full and rich and fiery. . . spellbinding” (Fatea)
FARA brings together four leading musicians at the forefront of today’s Scottish folk scene. Kristan Harvey, Jeana Leslie and Catriona Price’s three fiddles combine with Rory Matheson’s piano to produce a fiery sound rooted strongly in their upbringing among the music of Orkney. Their repertoire of self-penned tunes, their original songs using words by Orcadian poets, alongside the four member's diverse individual musical experiences, combine to produce an exciting and individual sound. They have performed their music to audiences around the world and in autumn 2022 release their long-awaited new album. ‘Energy Islands’, the band’s third studio album, is inspired by Orkney’s innovation at the forefront of the renewable energy revolution. With vibrant arrangements full of rich harmonies, energetic fiddle playing and driving piano, audiences are sure to be thrilled by this new body of work.