LIVE REVIEW: THE UNTHANKS – LYTHAM LOWTHER PAVILION: 04/12/24

It is a night that defines winter in a north-west coastal town: dreary, bleak and blustery, one that is far from the Hollywood picture postcard vision of crisply snowy Christmas. Visibility is so poor that is hard to locate the relevant bus stop and the entrance to Lowther Gardens is unlit and easily missed. Leafy […]
There is often a sense of cheap cash-in to Christmas albums, a quick fix. Throw together a few familiar cover versions and the odd original, garnish with tinsel and sleigh bells for a quota, quickie package, a good way of fulfilling contractual obligations. Thankfully, The Unthanks’ ‘In Winter’ is a far more satisfying proposition. As […]

ALBUM REVIEW – THE UNTHANKS: IN WINTER

JOY OF LIVING: A TRIBUTE TO EWAN MACCOLL – LIVE IN MANCHESTER

Ewan MacColl wrote The Young Birds in 1961 in memory of 34 South London schoolboys (including friends of his oldest son, Hamish) who were killed in a plane crash while on a school trip. Ewan is best known for his pivotal role in the British folk revival and his vast catalogue of songs including The First Time Ever I Saw Your […]
– GORILLA, MANCHESTER – I confess I don’t gravitate towards folk music on a day to day basis, but when I hear it live I’m reminded how life affirming and quite wonderful it can be. Afterwards, I’ll vow to pay it more attention in my own time, but never do. So I’m here to see […]

REVIEW: THE UNTHANKS PRESENT SONGS FROM THE SHIPYARDS – 25/10/2012

LIVE: THE UNTHANKS – 20/10/2009

– BAND ON THE WALL, MANCHESTER – Few genuine folkies – singing the songs from their home region, raised on a diet of clog dancing and folk festivals – cross over to the mainstream music and achieve actual kudos. Of course, The Mercury nomination had something to do with Rachel Unthank and the Winterset’s sudden […]