New look folkies at Cox's Yard

SCOTTISH folkies Breabach bring their distinctive sound to Cox's Yard in Stratford on February 21.

After a whirlwind year of departures, arrivals, award nominations and trips to the other side of the world, 2011 was certainly the band's most eventful year to date - which included nominations for ‘Best Group’ at both the 2011 BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards and the Scots Trad Music Awards.

And they start the new year with a new-look line-up and a new album, Bann, which translates from Gaelic as band or bind.

Megan Henderson and James Mackenzie bring an inspiring highland energy and cultural grounding as well as diverse musicianship on fiddle, vocals, highland pipes and wooden flute.

James Lindsay is a long time band member though Bann is his debut on a Breabach recording. James has proved invaluable as a writer and arranger for the band.

Ewan Robertson and James together have developed as an inventive unit over the last two years of touring, and the line-up is completed by multi-instrumentalist Calum MacCrimmon who supplies bagpipes, whistles, bouzouki, vocals and Jews harp.

One of the most celebrated and successful Scottish folk bands of recent times, Breabach have established an enviable live reputation, one built on fine musicianship and a lot of fun, and a repertoire fusing the traditional and contemporary, underlining their commitment and passion for their musical heritage but also a willingness to explore and challenge boundaries.

Visit www.coxsyard.co.uk for tickets and further details.

* LIMEHOUSE Lizzy will continue to keep the spirit of Thin Lizzy alive when they play Cox's Yard on March 3. Tickets as above.