Tour aims to prove folk music is alive and kicking

TEESDALE music fans are in for a treat, while also helping to “pass on” the joy of folk music to the next generation.

On Friday, July 14, the Folkworks Pass it On Tour will bring top traditional musicians to The Witham.

Northumbrian musician Alistair Anderson and his latest band Northlands, plus the exciting up-and-coming talent of Folkestra, will visit Barnard Castle to play tunes and songs from the collections and living memories of North East folk tradition.

The visit forms part of a tour that also includes Washington and Morpeth.

The Pass it On Tour will then head back to Sage Gateshead, home of the Folkworks programme.

Mr Anderson is a co-founder of the Lottery backed Folkworks programme as well as being a master of the English concertina and a fine player of the Northumbrian pipes. Northlands features three younger musicians who have all been influenced by him either as a fellow musician, teacher or mentor through the Folkworks Youth Summer School or the Newcastle Folk Degree Course, both of which he founded.

Northlands is made up of Ian Stephenson, a guitarist and multi-instrumentalist; Sophy Ball on fiddle and Sarah Hayes, who grew up in Warkworth, a gifted singer and flute player.

Support comes from Sage Gateshead's youth ensemble Folkestra. Directed by Northlands’ Ian Stephenson, the group was founded by Kathryn Tickell, and has worked with some of the finest folk tutors in the country.

Mr Stephenson of Northlands: “The pass it on tour is a perfect opportunity for youth band Folkestra to get out into both schools and professional venues to show that folk music is alive and kicking.

“The ensemble play tunes from as far back as 1650, with a modern verve and arrangements which are sure to get everybody's feet tapping.”