Fairport Convention is one of the greatest live bands on today's concert circuit. Their sell-out gigs attract critical acclaim and delight audiences. This concert by the band's acoustic line-up presents a more intimate (but no less exciting!) take on the legendary band's music.

The band's repertoire mixes established favourites with brand new songs and the concert will feature Simon Nicol on guitar and lead vocals, Dave Pegg on bass and backing vocals, Chris Leslie on fiddle, mandolin and lead vocals, Ric Sanders on violin and Gerry Conway on percussion.

Fairport Convention has won a coveted BBC Lifetime Achievement Award and Radio 2 listeners voted Fairport's groundbreaking album Liege & Lief 'The Most Influential Folk Album of All Time'.

Whether you are a devoted fan or a newcomer to their music, this Fairport Acoustic Convention concert will be something very special. So be sure to book early tickets will sell fast.

the next session at the Crabshell will be on June 3rd 2010 at 8.30ish, and then as usual on the first Thursday of the month. More information from 01548 853351 - see session page>

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Instead, Eliza is joined by the brilliant melodeon player Saul Rose from Waterson Carthy, Faustus and various other line-ups including two of the top ceilidh bands in the country, Random and Whapweasel. Eliza and Saul performed as a duo for a sell-out Harberton Folk audience a few years ago and put on a breathtaking show!

A truly inventive and innovative singer and fiddle-player, twice Mercury Prize nominee Eliza is the winner of an unrivalled seven BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards and possibly the most impressive and engaging performer of her generation. In 2003 she became the first traditional English musician to be nominated a BBC Radio 3 Award for World Music (for Anglicana). With innumerable other accolades over a 16 year career she has worked with artists such as Paul Weller, Billy Bragg, Nick Cave and Joan Baez.

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Danish violinist named as ‘one of the three best fiddlers in the world’ is bringing his Quartet to north Devon as part of the South West Baltic Roots tour.

International fiddle player Harald Haugaard and singer Helene Blum, both several times winners of the Danish Music Award on their first rural tour in the UK. Two world-renowned musicians will be performing in two stunning north Devon settings, for the final dates in their first UK rural tour.

Husband and wife team Harald Haugaard and Helene Blum are two of Denmark’s most exported and multi award-winning musical names.

Harald is an inventive virtuoso fiddle player with a characteristic style which reflects contemporary Danish folk music deeply rooted in tradition. He has performed and taught all over the world, including the Royal Swedish Music Academy and the Royal Music Conservatory in Toronto.

His music is described on his website as “playful, light and elegant but also dramatic, melancholic and sometimes diabolic”.

He began playing violin at the age of seven. In 1994 he was accepted at the Carl Nielsen Academy of Music in Odense where he worked with both classical violin and traditional fiddle teachers. From 2000 to 2005 he became head of the folk music department.

Helene Blum also went to the Carl Nielsen Academy where she became its first singer to receive a degree in folk music. A year later, in 2005, her Christmas album won the Folk Debut of the Year award at the Danish Music Awards.

Like Harald, she started playing at an early age. She grew up playing piano, cello and violin and singing the ballads and hymns of her distinctive musical tradition.

Harald and Helene will be joined by percussionist Sune Rahbek and guitarist Rasmus Zeeberg on the tour.

Beaford Arts worked with its north Devon promoters to place the concerts in two stunning church venues, where the acoustics will naturally enhance the quartet’s beautiful sound. The first concert is at St Brannock’s Church in Braunton and the following day at Bishops Tawton Church, the first time this kind of event has been seen, and heard, at the stunning venue.

Beaford Arts’ promoter Paul Niemiec, who is organising the event at Bishops Tawton church, said: “I think this is going to be a very special concert. We sold a ticket this week to someone who said a friend in Worcester had seen Harald Haugaard perform. This friend had called up to say she must see him when he’s in north Devon. She said he was absolutely brilliant.”

Beaford Arts is also inviting talented violinists from north Devon to join Harald for a two hour masterclass at St John the Baptist Church, Newport, Barnstaple on Sunday, May 23rd at 2.30pm. It is open to advanced string players, grade 5 violin or over, up to the age of 25. Places may still be available, call 01805 603201 or email

For more information on Harald Haugaard go website>
For more information on Helene Blum go to website>  

Kitching and Bartley combine much of that variety in just one act!  Playing an aromatic hotpot of folk, world and blues from around the globe, the future looks bright for this talented duo who are definitely on their way up!  Playing music from a remarkably broad range of sources, they cross genres with a healthy disdain for arbitrary pigeon-holing of styles and traditions.

A past Young Folk Award finalist, Tom plays fiddle with a unique flair and enthusiasm, adding depth and context to the material, drawing on his broad command of styles.  Gren is simply a superstar of finger-style guitar in the making.  Leaving audiences flabbergasted with the speed and control of his picking, the sensitivity and variety of his music draw you in.

When you add in the occasional mandolin and banjo, Gren’s rich deep voice and accomplished songwriting, and the sparkling chemistry between the pair, and it promises to be a wonderful evening’s entertainment.

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Beaford Arts is also inviting talented violinists from north Devon to join Harald for a two hour masterclass at St John the Baptist Church, Newport, Barnstaple on Sunday, May 23rd at 2.30pm. It is open to advanced string players, grade 5 violin or over, up to the age of 25. Places may still be available, call 01805 603201 or email