Dean McPhee and Thorn Wych

Event information

Bradford-based electric guitarist Dean McPhee has built a reputation for his atmospheric, dub-influenced psychedelic folk music, blending fluid, exploratory guitar work with deep, hypnotic textures. His fifth album, Astral Gold, was released last year on his own Bass Ritual label and received widespread acclaim. The Quietus praised its “artful, fluid psychedelic guitar excursions,” drawing comparisons to artists such as Roy Montgomery and Manuel Göttsching. Aquarium Drunkard remarked that "there’s really no one else who can create (and sustain) the darkly seductive mood that’s embedded within his work," while MOJO, Uncut, and Loud & Quiet also lauded the album’s innovative instrumental pieces. Brainwashed described his approach as "singular slow-motion magic", emphasizing the distinctive and immersive qualities of his music. For over ten years Dean McPhee has been a regular contributor to the Folklore Tapes label, and he also co-runs the Hood Faire imprint alongside David Chatton Barker and Sam McLoughlin. His most recent release, 'The Bradford Boar'—a split tape with Pefkin as part of the ongoing Ceremonial Counties series—continues his tradition of richly textured, exploratory guitar work. His music has also been released on labels such as Blast First (petite), Reverb Worship, and Sonido Polifonico. Currently, McPhee is working on a new album that expands his sonic palette, incorporating influences from post rock, underground electronic music and dub. This show at Bishops’ House in Sheffield will be a rare chance to hear this new material performed live, offering a glimpse into the evolving direction of his music.

Lancashire-based musician and instrument maker Thorn Wych has generated significant attention in the experimental music underground with her debut album, Aesthesis, released in November 2024 on the Hood Faire label. Crafted using self-built instruments made from native UK tree branches—such as Wych Elm, Lime, Wild Cherry, Oak, and Yew—her music offers a unique and immersive experience. The Quietus described the album as "equal parts devotional and sacrilegious, grave and celebratory," highlighting its rich, psychedelic soundscapes. Recorded and mixed at her home studio, Aesthesis draws inspiration from diverse sources, including 'The Secret Book of John,' the 1940 film 'The Thief Of Baghdad,' and Lata Mangeshkar's 'Meera Bhajans.' KLOF Magazine praised the work, noting that "while there are wonderful traditional-sounding touchstones across this release, it's also a uniquely individual sound". Thorn Wych is a contributor to the Folklore Tapes collective, most recently on the Ceremonial County Series Vol.IV split cassette release - where she explores the regional folklore of East Yorkshire. Known for her captivating live performances, Thorn Wych delivers unique improvisations at each show, utilizing her handcrafted instruments to create unusually powerful and otherworldly atmospheres.