Our Summer season kicks off with a live-streamed visit from HOLLY CLARKE, a singer who draws from the old ballads and stories, and conjures a performance that immediately captivates any listener.

 

As a performer, Holly transports the listener into the heart of ballads, immersing them in the narratives that have shaped humanities experience through time. From songs of the supernatural and folklore, to the tales of love and loss, Holly Clarke sings with an infectious energy and passion for traditional song.

 

 

Alongside Holly’s affinity for traditional ballads, she is a strong composer in her own right, with her tune compositions performed by Norwegian Hardanger Fiddle legend Annbjørg Lien and Shetland’s very own Catriona Macdonald. Outside of performing, between 2019 to 2020 Holly was Sage Gateshead’s Artist in Residence specialising in Traditional Folk Song and Ballads. As of 2022 Holly began organising her concert series ‘Folk is Queer’; an event which platforms Queer folk musicians in the North East, and supporting them to make connections with existing and new audiences and other Queer artists from outside the region.

 

Holly will be joined on-stage by Amy Thatcher (accordion & synths), Anna Hughes (fiddle & viola) and John Pope (double-bass).

 

Getting the evening underway will be Holly Anne Coles and Mitch Cartwright, seasoned performers in their own right, who have united under their shared passion for folk music to create LÖRE & LAMENT.

 

 

Celebrating the rich tapestry of folkloric tradition, they breathe new life into timeless ballads and shanties while crafting original songs inspired by the captivating myths and legends of England and the Celtic nations. Their music offers a heartfelt tribute to storytelling through song, blending history and imagination into an enchanting, immersive experience.