2025 will see Fairport Convention celebrate 58 years in business, and whilst the band has seen many changes in that time, one thing has remained the same – Fairport’s passion for performance. With more than half a century’s back catalogue to choose from, every show is a tour de force of British folk rock.

The band features founding member Simon Nicol on guitar and vocals, Dave Pegg on bass guitar, Ric Sanders on violin (and gags) and Chris Leslie on fiddle, mandolin and vocals. For this tour, Fairport are all very happy to once again be joined on stage by old friend and former member Dave Mattacks ‘DM’ on Drums.

Fairport Convention have won a BBC Lifetime Achievement Award and Radio 2 listeners voted their ground-breaking album Liege & Lief ‘The Most Influential Folk Album of All Time’. Their story has been celebrated with television documentaries on BBC Four and Sky Arts.

“We were privileged to attend your gig in Burton on Trent at the Brewhouse and you just get better and better. We have been devotees since the 1960’s and love your music particularly from that time – the time of our youth and beauty. You remind us of those days in your iconic songs and as far as performance goes you are like a good wine, you just get better.

The fact that you bring to the stage all those who have passed through, particularly ‘Swarb’, adds to the magic on the evening. You have not discarded those who have not stayed, you have cherished their contribution to your legend and show your love of them all. Perhaps its age that teaches us all what matters in life and that is in the friends we make along the way. You made us all feel like friends, your shared stories and humour as well as your prodigious musical and songwriting talent. Simon you have managed to keep standards high, no more than now with each member of the band bringing excellence, as I say you just get better! Keep the flag flying for ‘Folk Music’ its in the DNA of us all, it is our story, keep telling it;” Dave and Jane Hill