Folkroom\'s Blue Christmas with Josienne Clarke & Ben Walker

John Spiers, Jack Harris

Presented by: Folkroom Records

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0	LONDON: The Courtyard Theatre
P	Saturday 17th December, 2016
N	7:30pm

Event information

Christmas is a time of light, of giving, of love - and we reckon there might just be a few too many gigs this December celebrating the garish tinsel-draped side of the season. London's friendliest folk club, Folkroom, are teaming up with the award-winning Josienne Clarke and Ben Walker to celebrate the cosy sadness of the festive period instead. The gentle disappointment of a gift you already own. The satisfying airing of grievances in a row with your slightly racist auntie. The familiar hygge of your a dried out turkey roast. Come join us as Britain's finest folk musicians celebrate a Blue Christmas this December.

JOSIENNE CLARKE & BEN WALKER - The fastest rising stars on the folk horizon have had a busy few years. In 2015 they won Best Duo at the BBC Folk Awards, a hard-earned and deserved title that honoured the last of their three releases with Folkroom Records, the label they'd co-founded four years previously.

2016 saw the duo sign to legendary indie/punk label Rough Trade, a pairing that has proven a surprisingly perfect fit. For Blue Christmas, Josienne and Ben will be playing songs from their critically-acclaimed album for the label, 'Overnight', as well as giving a rare outing to songs from the extremely limted edition 2013 Christmas record, 'Midwinter'.

JOHN SPIERS - Perhaps best known as one of the founding members of folk institution Bellowhead, John Spiers has spent the last decade and a half at the forefront of the British folk scene. His own work places him as the nation's finest melodeon player - and that's no small claim in folk circles. We're so honoured to have John with us we've applied to the Vatican to have this officially listed as a Christmas Miracle. They're yet to get back to us.

JACK HARRIS - A fan favourite at Folkroom's fortnightly folk club, Jack Harris has been described by Anaïs Mitchell as 'a priest of song', which is sort of Christmassy, we guess. Jack's sets are renowned for both his craft as a musician and singer, and his unparalleled storytelling. His new album, 'The Wide Afternoon' is his finest to date, and marks him out as a talent to watch in 2017.