The Young'uns

Event information

The Young’uns live shows are renowned. With heart-on-the-sleeve storytelling, beautiful lyrics, warm harmonies and relentless repartee, Sean Cooney, Michael Hughes and David Eagle (the award-winning stand-up comedian) sing life-affirming folk songs for today.

Born from empathy, crafted with care, fired by hope, and shared with joy, The Young'uns' songs have been described as "a heartfelt secular hymnary for these troubled times and a rallying call for humanity." (The Scotsman). They have led the band to three BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards (including Best Album in 2018 for Strangers) and the creation of the acclaimed international theatre show The Ballad of Johnny Longstaff (based on their 2019 concept album of the same name).

20 years after accidentally stumbling into the alien world of their local folk club as drunken teenagers, (and gaining their cureless name in the process), these three thirtysomething friends from Stockton and Hartlepool have never lost the joy of that first night of singing together. Whether performing at Glastonbury Festival, writing a song about pigs with a group of school children or presenting a programme on Radio 4, Sean Cooney, David Eagle and Michael Hughes are just the same.

Taking its name from messages tied to the railings of a bridge in Sunderland, their new album Tiny Notes (Hudson Records) is a collection of songs that find hope and humanity in grief and despair. From London Bridge to Lockerbie, from Derry to Aleppo, with warm harmony and beautifully crafted lyrics, these are folk songs for our times.


‘Hugely captivating-performing with great verve and humour - a brilliant folk act!’ Stuart Maconie, BBC Radio 6 music

"Glorious... celebrating the uncelebrated with warmth, vigour and passion" ★★★★ MOJO

"The Teesside trio have captured hearts – and awards – with a magic combination of lusty acapella singing, memorable tunes and heart-on-sleeve storytelling with an unashamedly political cry for social justice." ★★★★ SONGLINES