Celebrating Folkestone Songwriting Festival's 10th Year anniversary we are so pleased to be bringing Medways most exciting live acts and masters in how to tell a good and mostly dark tale about their hometown of Chatham and have a good time, The Singing Loins. Chris Broderick & Chris (Arfur) Allen started The Loins as a raw, stripped down acoustic duo in 1990 and soon had Medway legend Billy Childish in their corner. He recorded their first two albums live in his bathroom onto a mono Revox tape machine and released them on his Hangman label. These savage rarities are now swapping hands for big dollars on EBay and are often quoted as major influences by young purveyors of punk/folk.

After a couple more self-released albums and a great album with Billy Childish called At The Bridge they split in 1999. After a six-year lay-off they shook hands and returned in 2005 with a triumphant comeback album, Songs To Hear Before You Die, and a year later were joined by Rob Shepherd, who played junk shop banjo and mandolin on their 2007 album, The Drowned Man Resuscitator.

The group then went from strength to strength with full blown sell out tours of Eastern Europe, Germany & France, plenty of American indie radio plays, and an ever increasing fan base all over the world. Further albums for Damaged Goods include Unravelling England, Stuff, and Here on Earth.

Founder member Chris Broderick, the voice of The Singing Loins sadly passed away in 2022.

After the passing of their dear friend, Chris Broderick, Billy, Arf, and Rob decided to get together and record a 45 in his memory.

The single ‘Song of the Medway’ soon led to a full-length LP with Billy, ‘The Fighting Temeraire’ released at the tail-end of 2022. It contained new songs, old songs re-worked, traditional songs and even a Bob Dylan cover.

A new line-up of the Loins recorded an album for Damaged Goods called Twelve which was released on 6th September 2024.

The band have also recently been working with Billy Childish as Billy Childish and The North Kent Folkways Revival.

The current line-up is: Rob Shepherd – banjo, mandolin, backing vocals Arfur Allen – vocals, guitar, Oli Allen – guitar, backing vocals Richard Moore – violin, backing vocals Chris Grenfell – drums, percussion

The Singing Loins

Tickets & tour dates

February 2027