A ‘Folktastic’ few months ahead at The Apex
Aly Bain and Phil Cunningham who are due at The Apex, later this month. Photo: Apex, Bury St Edmunds.
There’s a host of folk stars and musicians set to play The Apex, in Bury St Edmunds, over the coming months.
One of Ireland’s all-time most acclaimed and influential folk and traditional bands, The Fureys take to. the stage on Wednesday, March 13.
Hot on their heels come Aly Bain and Phil Cunningham, who return to the venue on Monday, March 18.
Aly is often regarded as Scotland’s supreme fiddler and Phil is a world-famous accordion player, once nominated by The Scotsman as one of “Scotland’s most influential people”, together they have won the BBC Radio 2 Folk Award for Best Duo.
Having toured together since 1986 the pair continue to charm audiences with their humorous banter and tunes that tug the heartstrings, alongside joyous reels and melodies.
Former singer of Clannad, Moya Brennan (pictured above) will perform on Thursday, March 21.
Moya’s career to date includes 25 albums and numerous film scores – most notably “The Last of the Mohicans” and “King Arthur”.
She has sung with many great artists, including The Chieftains, Robert Plant, Shane McGowan and Bono who stated recently, “I think she has one of the greatest voices the human ear has ever experienced”.
On Monday, March 25, you can see Home Service (pictured above), who originally formed in 1981 from members of the Albion Band.
During its relatively short life in the mid-eighties, Home Service produced three albums and headlined at major festivals, including Cambridge and Cropredy, and provided music for Bill Bryden’s production of “The Mysteries” trilogy at the National Theatre.
A brief comeback saw them win Best Live Act at the 2012 Radio 2 Folk Awards.
After another period of inactivity, Home Service made a triumphant return to the stage in 2022, with a powerful and emotional performance at Cropredy Festival.
Now, with new lead singer Bob Fox (“Songman” in the West End production of “War Horse”), the band is back to full strength and raring to tread the boards once more.
Looking further ahead, “Britain’s fiddling supergroup” (Mark Radcliffe, BBC Radio 2), Feast of Fiddles play the Apex on Tuesday, April 23, as part of their 30th anniversary tour.
The following month sees Yorkshire lass, Kate Rusby making a welcome return on Tuesday, May 14.
Named as one of the Top Ten Folk Voices of the Century, Kate is a Mercury Prize Winner and six-times winner of a BBC Radio 2 Folk Award.
Show start times vary, see www.theapex.co.uk or ring 01284 758000 for more information or to book tickets.