Virginia Kettle's Rolling Folk and Wet The Tea in Knutsford

Event information

Your opportunity to see two of the finest and fastest rising groups in the folk world in the lovely Knutsford Little Theatre.

Virginia Kettle is the very heart of the multi award-winning folk-rock band Merry Hell. Her songs, spirit and energies have helped drive the band ever upwards, giving a significant outlet to her creativity, providing anthems such as Bury Me Naked, which had 20,000 fans swaying in a Cropredy field, as well as irresistible dancing tunes, and slices of wry humour as seen in ‘VIOLET’, her solo tour-de-force during the band set, where she often forgoes the need for amplification and wanders freely among the audience. Her solo album ‘No Place Like Tomorrow’ was a critical and popular success, hitting the heights of No.1 in the Amazon Folk Charts within days of its release.

ROLLING FOLK

As a prolific writer of songs, Rolling Folk gives Virginia the chance to share a variety of songs not included in Merry Hell’s sets. It is not a replacement for the band, but an additional outlet for her creativity and energy. Offering the same level of songwriting excellence as Merry Hell, but a different, more intimate feel, plus additional musical explorations, Rolling Folk surrounds Virginia with a fabulous and interesting selection of players, particularly multi, multi-instrumentalist Chris Lee, (Full House, Time Bandits, Family Mahone, Galleon Blast, Rad Co., etc, etc etc) and percussionist, whistle player and flautist, Mark Wooley (Ade Edmondson's Bad Shepherds, Full House, session master and more) and more recently ace fiddle player Clare ‘Fluff’ Smith, again a (young) veteran of numerous projects, including a stint with The Incredible String Band. Add in Virginia’s bandmate and husband John, all giving breadth and depth to her musical and lyrical visions. She has been described by Folk North West magazine as ‘The best thing to happen in British Folk for years, and who are we to argue?

WET THE TEA

fronted by singer-songwriter and musician Andy Connally. Along with Andy's tradition Irish influences, Fluff and Adam, this multi instrumental band bring their own musical tastes and styles that are collectively fused to create something a little bit different. With roots, english folk, bluegrass, and modern elements thrown into the mix, WetTheTea songs and tune sets are unique. Original, self-penned songs make up the majority of the band's material, and Andy takes you through the journey of each of the songs he's written and how they came to be. These words offer an insight into his life experiences, passions, and vulnerabilities with a feeling of familiarity and honesty. Collectively and individually, WetTheTea writes musical pieces that are powerfully delicate and intriguing, with performance and flair that connects with people. Expect vocals, harmonies, fiddle, flute, mandolin, cello, whistles, bodhran, guitar, piano, bouzouki, love, joy, sadness, foot-tapping, singalong, story telling, honesty and hope. Vocals, Flute, Whistles, Guitar, Piano, Bouzouki - Andy Connally. Fiddle, Cello, Vocals - Clare (Fluff) Smith. Guitar, Mandolin - Adam Beresford-Browne.