Ashley Hutchings, Blair Dunlop

As founder member of Fairport Convention, Steeleye Span and the Albion Band, Ashley Hutchings is a bona-fide folk legend whose influence continues to reverberate in the modern British folk scene and beyond. Finally retiring the original Albion Band in 2005, Ashley has continued as a performer, writer, producer and broadcaster with his recently published book Words, Words, Words contains song lyrics, sleeve notes and poems from across his career. Last year Talking Elephant re-released a cd and vinyl edition of his stunning By Gloucester Docks I Sat Down and Wept.

For this gig Ashley will be joined by his son, Blair Dunlop – a star and headlining act in his own right . Blair won the Horizon Award at last year’s BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards, has released 2 critically acclaimed albums Blight and Blossom and House of Jacks, and gigged extensively across the UK and toured Australia.

This gig will interweave songs, poetry, chat and anecdotes with Ashley and Blair playing together and as individuals, allowing you to learn more about their work, history and future plans. There will also be the chance to ask Ashley and Blair the questions that really interest you.

TalkingGigs is a series of gigs which allow you to listen to music from the UK and around the world – but will also allow you to discovers more about the countries, cultures, musicians, instruments and history behind the music.

Listening to music will be the core of all the events – but they will also give you the chance to hear more from the performers about their stories and influences, and the chance to ask questions about whatever aspect of the music interests you. They will feature some stunning performers from a variety of places – all with something special or interesting to say and play.