Mike Wilson & Damien Barber

Event information

When two of the finest exponents of Traditional Song in the UK come together, pooling their knowledge and skills, something extraordinary is born. At first glance it’s hard to believe that these relatively young men have a combined experience of over sixty years playing at folk venues around the UK. Any doubt, however, melts away the moment they begin their assured performance.

A proud Norfolk man, born, bred and heavily influenced by such earlier Norfolk singers as Walter Pardon and Peter Bellamy, Damien is a stylish and distinctive singer, be it unaccompanied or alongside his guitar or concertina. Though he has now resided for some time in West Yorkshire, his roots remain firmly planted in his beloved East Anglia.

Mike Wilson is the youngest member of the inimitable Wilson Family, the powerful Teesside singing siblings who have raised the rafters at many a festival or folk club event over the years. His musical heritage remains emphatically that of the North East – an evocative mixture of rural and industrial folk songs, both traditional and modern.

Together, Damien and Mike share an incredibly rich repertoire of traditional songs from around the country, as well as drawing on the work of modern folk writers such as Peter Bellamy, Ewan MacColl and Mike Waterson.

“Under The Influence’ is chock full of nothing but great songs brilliantly sung”.
Mike Harding, BBC Radio 2

"Damien Barber's sound, style and presence combines the best of Peter Bellamy and Nic Jones".
Dirty Linen

“The Wilsons are what they are, they do what they do and say what they say, it's very direct and I love that”.
Dick Gaughan