Folk Roots
The Chloe Hall Trio
Australian singer-songwriter Chloe Hall is an engaging and charismatic performer, but it's the simple, undeniable quality of her songs that leave you with overwhelming emotion. Making up her trio are bassist Chris Mildren and percussionist Teal Bain-Roben.
"Chloe Hall - the future of folk is here today."
Rolling Stone
Tiny Tin Lady
Tiny Tin Lady are a young six piece band who have become one of the most talked about groups on the acoustic scene, stunning audiences everywhere with their blend of brilliant, original songs, superb musicianship and spine-tingling harmonies.
"...a unique blend of roots honesty and rock sensibilities not to be missed"
MOJO
Robin and Bina Williamson
Robin Williamson is founder of psychedelic folk legends The Incredible String Band and one of the few UK artists to play Woodstock. He performs with his wife Bina Williamson to present this celebration of the season of autumn.
Beautiful music on harp and percussion accompany traditional tales of enchantment. Soulful, magical and highly entertaining.
Heidi Talbot
with John McCusker and Boo Hewerdine
Having cut her teeth as lead singer with Irish American all-female outfit Cherish The Ladies, Heidi Talbot is right at home in the twin worlds of Irish traditional and roots music.
A regular at The Met, Heidi will be performing with Met favourites John McCusker, a highly regarded traditional musician, and Boo Hewerdine, successful solo artist and writer to the stars.
Chris While and Julie Matthews
Eight times nominated for the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards in the Best Duo, Best Song and Best Live Act categories, Chris While and Julie Matthews are both individual writers of some note but it's when they combine their writing talents that the unique nature of their partnership flourishes. They are world renowned for their affinity on stage and for the energy and enthusiasm of their live performances.
Fiddlers' Bid
With a powerful rhythm section and arguably the country's most awe-inspiring harpist, Fiddler's Bid are a dynamic, internationally acclaimed fiddle group from the Shetland Islands - a community long famed for its distinctive fiddle tradition. Their album All Dressed in Yellow recently won Album of the Year at the Scottish Traditional Music Awards.
Kieran Goss
Long hailed as one of Ireland's leading songwriters and performers, Kieran Goss' music has won him fans across the globe. But if his albums have made him a star, his live shows have made him a legend. Live on stage is where he really shines.
"The sense of fun is tremendous, the playing first rate and the songs are sheer quality. The encores were genuine, but only because the man is too."
Irish Times
Michael McGoldrick and Friends
Drawing influences from a life and world beyond his Manchunian roots, Michael McGoldrick will be playing songs from his new album Aurora, a collection of tunes and songs self penned with some more traditional material mixed in. Appearing with some special guests, his live performances are truly special, allowing you to enjoy the sheer energy as well as subtlety of his music.
"packed with fiery energy, lyrical poetry and bold experimentation within the tradition"
The Independent
Chris Wood and Andy Cutting
A Mr Kite Benefit
In 1990 Chris Wood and Andy Cutting embarked on a collaboration which proved to be one of the most influential in English Folk Music. This concert will draw from their classic repertoire as well as exploring their restless quest for ever deeper and more vivid musical experience.
"The finest and most original singer-songwriters to have emerged from the British folk scene since Richard Thompson"
The Guardian
Christine Collister
Best known for BBC's Life and Loves of a She Devil, Christine Collister has worked with a host of excellent musicians (Peter Frampton, Richard Thompson, Louden Wainwright III). Throughout her career, she has mesmerized and astounded with her subtle and effortless blend of soul, blues, pop, jazz, country and folk. Christine will be performing with Rob Cross.
"...boundary breaking is routine for Collister and makes her one of the finest grown-up vocalists on the planet..."
Q
Martha Tilston
Martha Tilston is a captivating performer and an enchanting singer-songwriter blessed with a gloriously clear, seductive voice. She expresses herself in her trademark direct poetic manner, putting forward her philosophy of life and examining relationships in an accessible, universal way. The songs are exquisitely set, the musicianship (featuring The Woods) is faultless.
Ralph McTell
One of the great storytellers Ralph McTell is known for his virtuoso guitar style. He is primarily a prolific and gifted songwriter with a style that invites you into a unique world, he weaves a narrative that is both significant and poignant.
Ralph made his debut in 1968 with the album Eight Frames a Second and in 1974 the release of Streets of London earned him an Ivor Novello Award. In 2002 he was presented with the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards.
Aly Bain, Ale Möller and Bruce Molsky
Aly Bain is Scotland's supreme traditional style fiddler. His playing is unique - driving, impassioned and pure - with a vibrant, unmistakable tone that has earned him a following of ardent fans throughout the world. His most recent collaboration with Swedish multi-instrumentalist Ale Möller, created the album Fully Rigged a celebration of shared Nordic heritage. Completing the line-up is Bruce Molsky, a leading old time fiddle player and singer from the USA who has also explored traditional music from an astonishingly broad range of cultures over the past two decades.
Kan
Plus support
Brian Finnegan and Aidan O'Rourke, front men with two of the most revered bands ever to have thrilled the folk scene, BBC Award winning Flook and Lau, join forces with Ian Stephenson on guitar and Jim Goodwin on drums to create an enthralling and beautiful new sound.
The Martin Simpson Trio
Martin Simpson returns to Bury to play in the beautiful surroundings of the Parish Church.
Recognised as one of the best acoustic guitar players in the world, Martin has won BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards for Musician of the Year and Album of the Year, twice and also for Best Original Track in 2008.
Andy Cutting on melodeon received BBC Radio 2 Folk Award's Musician of the Year in 2008.
Andy Seward plays double bass with Kate Rusby's Band and with John Tams amongst many others.
Together this is an unstoppable combination of talent, which has taken Martin's music to a new level and is a thrilling band to see and enjoy.
Bella Hardy
Nominated three times in the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards, Bella Hardy has played in a number of groups (Ola, the Pack) and been critically acclaimed for her music as a solo artist. Her new album In The Shadow of Mountains was released this year.
Uiscedwr
Phenomenal folk trio Uiscedwr is one of Britain's most exciting contemporary bands. Featuring founder members Anna Esslemont on fiddle and vocals and Cormac Byrne on bodhran and percussion (of Seth Lakeman band fame), the result is the most thrilling modern folk music you're ever likely to hear. Underpinned by driving guitar, this folk trio promises a night you won't forget.
The Albion Christmas Band
Founded by Fairport Convention, Steeleye Span and The Albion Band's Ashley Hutchings, An Albion Christmas combines the talents of Kellie While (Albion Band), Simon Care (Edward II) and Simon Nicol (Fairport Convention), for an evening of traditional English Christmas music, dancing and celebration.