Grayshott Folk Club’s “Christmas Special” with: THE FURROW COLLECTIVE

Grayshott Folk Club’s “Christmas Special” with: THE FURROW COLLECTIVE

‘A bravely sparse and compelling take on traditional songs… A quietly classy folk band’
The Guardian

‘Close-knit harmonies hit home’ Observer

‘The Furrow Collective have an air of immeasurable antiquity, while at the same time making the songs vibrantly new’. R2

‘A mouth-watering collaboration’ **** 4 Stars Mojo

A song called “Write Me Down” by The Furrow Collective was played on the BBC Radio 2 Folk Show (15/10/25) and Mark Radcliffe described them as: “The perfect band for the darker seasons”. Their last two albums “The Longest Night” (2022) and “We Know By The Moon” (2023) have night time and wintry themes and their appearance at our “Christmas Special” has been a long time coming. Three members of the band will be new to Grayshott Folk Club but a certain Rachel Newton came here with her friend Lilias to play for us in September 2011. Both were members of a six-piece, all female band called The Shee….but we couldn’t afford them all.

I knew that these were very talented musicians and it broke my heart that one of them had travelled all the way down from Scotland to play for our smallest ever audience……………A few years later, at the 2017 BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards, Rachel Newton won “Musician of the Year” and the Furrow Collective won “Best Group”, in recognition of their innovative approach to music.

In 2025, award-winning English/Scottish group The Furrow Collective have been celebrating 10 years since the release of their first album and they will perform a selection of songs from their decade of collaboration. As well as favourites from their back catalogue, the band will share songs from their newest album “We Know by the Moon”, a lunar-themed album of songs set after dark:
“The moon, the stars, darkness and night are threads woven through these songs. Songs to be listened to after dark, by candlelight, firelight, or under the steady light of our constant lunar companion.” The Furrow Collective

In a set underpinned by moonlit repertoire, The Furrow Collective will present both eerie and wonder-filled story songs with their signature spine-tingling harmonies and masterful storytelling. The band’s voices blend seamlessly with understated instrumental accompaniment, featuring harp, guitars, concertina, viola and musical saw. The band will be displaying beautiful illustrations by May Farrell (Lucy’s mum) on stage with them to accompany their songs. This promises to be an unmissable performance to remember, marking ten years of this acclaimed and much-loved band.

The Furrow Collective consists of four talented and individually prominent performers: Lucy Farrell (viola, voice & saw), Rachel Newton (harp, fiddle, voice), Emily Portman (banjo, concertina, voice) and Alasdair Roberts (guitars, voice). The group formed in 2013, drawn together by a shared love of the traditional song and balladry of England, Scotland and beyond and an open, intuitive approach to collaboration.

Their fourth album, We Know by the Moon is the follow up to Fathoms (2018) and was sparked as an idea after their 2022 Winter EP The Longest Night. The Furrow Collective tours extensively throughout the UK as well as in mainland Europe, delighting audiences with their uniquely beguiling approach to traditional song.

Tickets £20

Available in person only, from Grayshott Post Office (from Monday 2nd December onwards)
For ‘phone reservations, call Des O’Byrne on: 01428 607096
Online from Ents 24:
https://www.ents24.com/hindhead-events/grayshott-village-hall/grayshott-folk-club-introduces-the-furrow-collective/7369824

Name: Des O'Byrne

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://www.grayshottfolkclub.co.uk