Described by Folk Radio UK as ‘showing British acoustic music in its best possible light’, Kings Place welcomes Northumbrian folk duo The Brothers Gillespie to its Future Folk series. Animated lyrical song writing, fine fingerstyle guitar playing, multi-instrumental musicianship and ‘the glorious tones of their blood harmony’ (Sam Lee).

Brothers James and Sam Gillespie found their sound growing up in the fells and valleys of Northumberland, their songs often describing relationships with wild places and the experience of finding oneself in a world alive with soul. The music comes to them most strongly when walking in the borderlands with their packs and instruments which remains a regular practice for them. This spirit is channelled into their live performances which have a rare and intimate energy, both ethereal and earthy, romantic and radical. The brothers have travelled far and wide with their music and have played at Cambridge and Sidmouth Folk Festivals and opened for Lankum and Sam Lee. In 2021 they featured in the English Heritage Songs of England recording series that appeared on BBC Radio 4. The release of their new album The Merciful Road (‘pure magic’, Living Tradition) in Spring 2022 saw them embark on their most extensive national tour to date.

The Merciful Road was recorded in a cottage by the banks of the river Tweed and like their previous album The Fell, it blends rootsy, acoustic elements to create a rich warm sound with a touch of vintage magic. In some ways it is an album about finding the thread of love and belonging in a world that seems to be nonetheless unravelling.

‘Our music is inspired by the still wild soul of the land in which we live, a land alive with presences, not owned by anyone. It is about seeing with the eye of the heart and recovering our imaginations. It is about finding home, belonging and each other in a world which is singing to us as we sing to it’.

This event will last approximately 2 hours and 20 minutes, including an interval.

19:30 Doors
20:00 – 21:10 Performance
21:10 – 21:30 Interval
21:30 – 22:20 folk session

The artists invite you join them on stage for a folk session after their performance! You’re welcome to join in and bring along any instrument of your choice, no matter your ability.

At the end of the concert and after the interval, those audience members who have brought instruments will be invited to join the performers in Hall Two for an informal session. A space for folk songs, tunes and stories to be shared freely in an inclusive, cross-generational setting where communities can remember, learn and be renewed.

Reviews

‘Anyone who has seen the brothers live will surely attest that it is an experience that will stay with you. There is a feeling of warmth that exudes from them and affects everyone in the room.’ – Folk London

‘Not since the minimal chamber folk of Simon and Garfunkel has two voices and an acoustic guitar sounded so absolutely perfect.’ FATEA

‘Uncluttered, simply but intoxicatingly arranged and adorned by their magical harmonies, musically steeped in the earth, grass and leaves that mark the pathways, this is a road you really need to travel.’ – Bright Young Folk

‘Warning to all folk fest and club orgs. book these lads while you still can because I have a feeling that they aren’t going to be short of work.’ – Mike Harding

Future Folk is a new programme strand at Kings Place designed to showcase emerging artists creating and reshaping music inspired by folk traditions in new, progressive ways for contemporary audiences. It will initially feature five monthly shows running through the winter of 2023/24, putting these talented musicians centre stage in a time when breakthrough acts can easily become lost in the current economic realities of folk music programming.