Maddy Prior and The Carnival Band bring their ‘Carols & Capers’ to Bury St Edmunds
Following the hugely popular 25th anniversary Christmas tour, folk singer Maddy Prior joins up with the Carnival Band for their unique Festive show “Carols & Capers”.
Beginning as a one-off experiment for a Radio 2 Christmas Special, the collaboration between Maddy and the Carnival Band has become an ongoing concern, with regular tours and five albums released.
The instantly recognisable voice of Steeleye Span, Maddy Prior began singing in her early teens and hasn’t stopped since. Prior has been the one of Steeleye’s constants for over 40 years – her voice guiding them through a variety of styles, from her beloved traditional music to rock and pop.
A Carnival Band concert is a kaleidoscope of instrumental and vocal colour, crossing continents, travelling through time and bending the rules. Between them, the band’s musicians have a track record in folk, contemporary, classical, baroque, medieval and Arabic music.
Moving effortlessly from one to another they add a sprinkling of rock, world music and theatricality for extra flavour. From the vibrant blare of shawms, bagpipes and electric guitar to the seductive tones of Turkish clarinet and fiddle and the enchanting delicacy of the renaissance cittern, The Carnival Band mix and match their collection of over 20 instruments, adding vocal harmony to create an astonishing range of sounds.
Together, Maddy and the Carnival Band mix renaissance, modern and ethnic instruments with a refreshing cavalier attitude and plenty of humour putting their inimitable stamps on a range of traditional carols and festive music ranging from the Middle Ages to the present day.
Carols & Capers is at The Apex on Sunday, December 2, at 7.30pm.