Roots-rated three-piece heads for St Annes club

Harp and a Monkey, a band described as one of the most vital and charismatic acts in English folk music by Roots magazine, are the guests at St Annes Folk Club on Saturday.
Harp and a MonkeyHarp and a Monkey
Harp and a Monkey

The three-piece from Ramsbottom, who count Mike Harding, Mark Radcliffe and Steve Lamacq among their admirers, have been growing in popularity for the last couple of years. And they’re playing an unusual venue – the Pavilion Cafe at Ashton Gardens.

“It’s quite a coup,” says Steve Canavan, who runs the St Annes club. “They’ve gone pretty big in the last six months and they have already been booked to headline a few folk festivals.

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“Fortunately I know the singer from years ago – we worked at the same place – so they’ve agreed to do me a favour. I can vouch for how good they are; multi-instrumentalists who play strong, well-written songs, rooted in the region. It should be a cracking night.”

Gazette columnist Canavan will compere the night, while Manchester singer Ian Sidebotham will provide support. St Annes Folk Club has proved hugely popular since its launch 18 months ago, with several concerts selling out. Next month, Welsh singer-songwriter Lowri Evans is headlining, with the hugely-popular Richard Dignance and young folk trio The Jaywalkers among the acts booked for later in the year.

Tickets are £6 from the venue.