Belshazzar’s Feast start with traditional folk music, add a touch of classical and jazz, throw in a bit of pop and music hall, and top it off wry humour for a unique live experience that has made them one of the most popular duos in English folk music.
Now in their twenty-fourth year together, Paul Sartin and Paul Hutchinson of Belshazzar’s Feast bring a wealth of talent to the stage.
Paul Sartin is a former member of the multi-BBC Radio 2 Award-winning big band Bellowhead and a current member of pioneering folk trio Faustus who formed the core band in The Transports, the revival and reworking of Peter Bellamy’s ballad opera playing to full houses across the country (Guardian *****). Consultant and Director of the Andover Museum Loft Singers, he is author of ‘Community Choirs Collection – Folk’ published by Faber Music, an editor of music publications, and a BASCA-nominated composer whose commissions include works for the Central School of Speech and Drama, the Choir of Somerville College, Oxford, Streetwise Opera, and Aldeburgh Music.
Paul Hutchinson is the founder member of the innovative and progressive folk band, The Playford Liberation Front. His highly successful folk trio Hoover the Dog morphed into the Pagoda Project, their debut album Clarion received 5 star reviews in Songlines and FRoots, most of the tracks were Paul’s compositions. He refers to his style as ‘classical folk’ and there are more projects in the pipeline featuring string and wind ensembles. He is the resident accordion tutor at Cecil Sharp House, Halsway Manor, Benslow Music and leads ensemble workshops far and wide, most recently in Australia. This year Faber’s are publishing 3 books of 18th century tunes which came into his possession (legally).
Belshazzar’s Feast received a coveted nomination for the Best Duo Award at the 2010 BBC Folk Awards and are regulars at folk festivals across the summer, with touring including a popular annual Christmas tour of seasonal songs and tunes. They have released a series of critically acclaimed albums across their career, the latest being The Whiting’s On The Wall (2014/Unearthed), a live album recorded over the course of two concerts at The Pound in Corsham.
Following last year’s standing ovations at the National Folk Festival in Australia, in January this year they continued their overseas explorations with a concert and workshop trip to the Seychelles.
2019 sees a renewal of their partnership with Halsway Manor, National Centre for Folk Arts.
‘Amidst the jesting and hilarity, they sit as fine an example of traditional English folk music as you’re likely to hear.’ Mike Ainscoe, Bright Young Folk
Playing: Arts Out West
Friday 31 May – Lamplugh Village Hall. Show 7.30pm Tickets £11/£5/£25 (family) Tel. 01900 829966 www.kirkgatearts.org.uk/arts-out-west/
Saturday 1 June – Oulton Village Hall, Wigton. Show 7.30pm Tickets £10/£5 Tel. 01900 829966 www.kirkgatearts.org.uk/arts-out-west/
Sunday 2 June – Kirksanton Village Hall. Show 7pm Tickets £10/£5 Tel. 01900 829966 www.kirkgatearts.org.uk/arts-out-west/
