Folk music stars shine at Fire Station season
A programme featuring some of folk music’s biggest stars is under way at the Fire Station, with artists from England, Scotland, Ireland, Ukraine and Canada.
The programme started on Sunday, with the visit of one of Irish music’s best loved stars, Sharon Shannon and her trio.
Sharon has “made the accordion cool” and is known for her spectacular arrangements of traditional Irish tunes, as well as exploring new styles and genres.
She has recorded and toured with a the likes of Sinead O’Connor, Bono, Jackson Browne, the Waterboys, Willie Nelson, Nigel Kennedy and Alison Krauss.
Thursday, February 23, sees rising stars the Grace Smith Trio. Violinist Grace is joined by the National Youth Folk Ensemble and Folkestra, which
brings together musicians aged 14-18 from across the UK.
Sunday, February 26, has Scottish folksters Blazin’ Fiddles, one of the world’s most exciting fiddle groups. Anyone who books for both Grace Smith and Blazin’ Fiddles will receive £2.50 off both.
On Sunday, March 12, legendary Scottish duo Aly Bain
and Phil Cunningham hit the stage. The pair have been packing concert halls all over the world since they came together in 1986 and won a string of awards.
April has a rare opportunity to see“two of folk music’ s greatest innovators, singer songwriter sand guitarists ”, Martin Carthy and Martin Simpson, play together for a very special double bill.
Martin Carthy was awarded a BBC2 Radio 2 Folk Awards Lifetime Achievement Award in 2014, while Martin Simpson has won Musician of the Year in the same awards twice, being nominated an astonishing 32 times across a range of categories. They arrive on Sunday, April 2.
Tamsin Austin, venue director at the Fire Station, said: “We’re really proud of the diverse folk programme we’ve put together of rising stars and established legends.
“It incorporates many different strands and sound worlds, all rooted in traditions from both sides of the Atlantic but all of our performers are united by quality.
“Our programme really is the very best of folk, and we hope our Fire Station audiences enjoy the talent we’re bringing to Wearside and the North East.”
More details including ticket prices can be found atwww. sunderlandculture.org.uk