ABINGDON: The Unicorn Theatre

Thursday 22nd February, 2024

7:00pm

Event information

We are very pleased to welcome the very entertaining Belinda O'Hooley to The Unicorn Theatre.

Belinda O’Hooley is an exceptionally gifted pianist, singer, songwriter, and composer whohas become renowned for her highly individual, emotional, yet sensitive musicality. She is also one half of the much-loved Yorkshire folk duo O’Hooley & Tidow alongside her wife Heidi Tidow; together described by The Guardian as ‘exceptional songwriters.’ The duo have been propelled into newfound fame for penning the theme tune to Sally Wainwright’s hit BBC1/HBO drama ‘Gentleman Jack’, earning them global admiration, an acting role for Belinda on the iconic TV drama Happy Valley, Radio 4 Woman’s Hour and concerts that sell out months in advance.

Belinda is also known for her inventive, minimalist, sometimes flamboyant accompanying of folk luminaries including Rufus Wainwright, Nic Jones, Jackie Oates and the Mercu-ry nominated; Rachel Unthank and The Winterset.

Her solo album ‘Inversions’ showcases Belinda’s abilities as a composer and pianist with many of the piano pieces inspired by the songs and tunes her father inherited from a long line of male musicians in the hills of the West coast of rural Ireland. Belinda: the first woman in her family to reclaim the tradition, has found the freedom to express the music of her ancestors in her very own, unconventional way, evolving and migrating into some-thing you could describe as an inversion: a reversal of the norm.

Belinda O’Hooley is an artist truly at one with her instrument.

‘Goose-pimples, hair standing on end, pin-drop silence, all of this and so, so much more. The applause as she took her seat behind her piano once again, was deafening and lengthy. Pure love lapping against the stage.’ Fatea

‘Exquisite’ * * * * * The Guardian

‘O’Hooley stops the whole of St George’s in its tracks.’ Bristol 24/7

‘Defiant, robust, northern, poetical, political folk music for the times we live in.’
The Independent

‘Dense, complex, beautifully performed.’ * * * * Songlines

Checker Walk
Abingdon
OX14 3JB

www.musicattheunicorn.org.uk