John Francis Flynn is a singer and multi-instrumentalist whose work centres around traditional and folk material from Ireland. His debut album  “I would Not Live Always’ was one of the undisputed highlights of 2021, topping The Guardian’s Folk Albums of the Year list in December. After selling out Hall Two, we have upgraded the show to Hall One and more tickets are now available.

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He is a founding member of the band, Skipper’s Alley, with whom he has toured extensively throughout Europe and America. While supporting Lankum on their 2019 UK tour he caught the eye of Geoff Travis and Jeanette Lee who quickly signed John to Rough Trade imprint label, River Lea.

River Lea will release John Francis Flynn’s debut album I Would Not Live Always in Spring 2021. Produced by highly regarded producer, Brendan Jenkinson, this release looks to continue where River Lea last left off; highlighting the enormous talent hidden away in the corners of Ireland’s folk scene.

Shovel Dance Collective are a group of nine musicians exploring the folk traditions of these islands (and beyond). Nurturing the history of the source material, they bring sensibilities drawn from drone, improvisation, and metal. In so doing, aiming to uncover proto-feminist narratives and queer histories, and to make heard the voices of the working people that created and create the wealth of the world.

‘Human experience burns ferociously on this extraordinary debut from the uncompromising Irish artist John Francis Flynn. An extraordinary debut’ The Guardian

‘Double Tin Whistle and Tape-Loops. Revelatory new takes on English and Irish folk songs in the manner of Sam Amidon. A singular and striking clarity of vision’ Uncut Magazine