The Drystones are coming to Waterside in Sale on Friday 25 March as part of their UK tour celebrating the release of their new album Vulpus. These electro-folk pioneers are touring with the support of Arts Council funding, and are on a mission to attract younger audiences to their shows in the hopes of helping to create a young audience for folk music in general.
The “indecently talented” duo of Alex Garden (fiddle) and Ford Collier (guitar, low whistles) have played slots at Glastonbury Avalon Stage, supported top acts such as Elephant Sessions, Steeleye Span, Ray Davies and have a BBC Radio 2 Folk Award nomination under their belts.
They are joined on this tour for the first time by “percussion maestro” (Prog magazine) Evan Carson, who is also the drummer for Sam Kelly and the Lost Boys and has played with Seth Lakeman.
Alex says “You tend to see fewer young people at folk shows, and it’s a shame because traditionally, folk was music for social gatherings where people of all generations would mix. We would like our concerts to be intergenerational spaces where everyone feels welcome, across age, gender, and ethnicity too”.
They intend to attract new audiences by making their shows as fun as possible. Ford says “We like to describe our new sound as big bad beats for badass barn-dancing. We just ask people to leave their preconceptions of folk music at the door… and maybe bring some sequins”.
The Drystones will be supported by Good Habits – an alt-folk duo, composed of singer-cellist Bonnie Schwarz and accordionist Pete Shaw. The duo create folk-ish musical tales, with captivating lyrics married with their unique brand of brisk instrumental virtuosity.
The Drystones play Waterside Friday 25 March 19:30, tickets £10, support from Good Habits.
Tickets available from watersidearts.org/thedrystones
