JOE BROUGHTON’S CONSERVATOIRE FOLK ENSEMBLE

“Truly the most joyous noise I have ever heard and re-affirming my faith in the potential of the human race.” Jon Bens

The UK’s biggest folk band, The Conservatoire Folk Ensemble, stage their legendary annual tour for the 27th time in 2025!

The band’s touring line-up features a stage-challenging 50 members. Among them are 15 horns, four cellos, six percussionists, three electric guitarists, plus fiddles, flutes, clarinets, electric bass, banjos, acoustic guitars, and an accordion. They sing too.

Formed in 1997 at Birmingham’s prestigious Conservatoire by fiddle player and arranger Joe Broughton (The Urban Folk Quartet, The Albion Band, Joss Stone), the Conservatoire Folk Ensemble have established a reputation for creating energetic and powerful shows. Their increasingly popular live appearances – especially at such festivals as Cropredy, Towersey, Shambala and Kendal Calling – have left audiences ecstatic and even (at Towersey) moved to tears.

Still based at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, the personal influences of each member shapes the set-list, as traditional English and Celtic reels slide into full-on rock grooves, funk, jazz, hip-hop, ska and reggae. Eastern European and Asian flourishes can also be heard, reflecting the rich cultural heritage of the group.

This is very much 21st century folk.

This is ‘Power Folk’. www.folkensemble.co.uk    Facebook Conservatoire Folk Ensemble

“This album is utterly mind-blowing.” Mick Tems – Folk Wales Online Magazine

“Varied and brilliant… one massive sound” Frank Hennessy, BBC Radio Wales

“There’s subtlety, poignancy, variety and more than a soupçon of talent. You’ll like this, like it lots I know you will.” Simon Jones, fRoots

“Painted is an absolutely superb, inimitable and totally unmissable album that should have a copy in each and every home.” Joe Knipe, Artree

Tickets £18 from Foxlowe Arts Centre or online
Doors 7pm, start 8pn, seated show