Part of the 2023 Hebden Bridge Folk Festival, this evening session featured four groups. Unfortunately, your reviewer only got to hear the first three, but they were well worth hearing.
Lucy Huzzard and Hazel Thompson, with guitar, melodeon and clarinet, presented original, eloquent and often humorous songs, such as “Beware, beware you blushing boys” about nude swimming. They had the audience joining in.
The joining in continued for the next performer, Joe Solo, whose powerful and political songs aroused the audience. They included “These are my People” and “City of Sanctuary”.
The third act, Wychbury, featured the beautiful voice of Rhiannon Kenny and the powerful guitar work of Che Bradley. Their material was more traditional, including songs like “The Lark in the Morn” and “Geordie” about the fate of a poacher. There was also “Crooked Jack” about a man damaged by his job.
Altogether an evening that had both beauty and political conviction.
