2025 so far...

It’s been a while since my last update on here, so I thought I’d share what I’ve been up to in 2025 so far. I’ve also given things a bit of a spruce up with new photos from the excellent Laura Meek.

Celtic Connections kicked things off in style as always - this year I played shows with Laura Jane Wilkie, Birdvox and BMX Bandits, with outings for The Kane Gang and Start To End thrown in.

In March there was a lovely gig at Paisley Arts Centre with Hen Hoose and a celebratory evening with Admiral Fallow at Stirling Tolbooth playing our second album live in full.

Spring continued apace with Public Record, a National Theatre Public Acts production for and about the people of Sunderland, featuring a community cast of 100, plus dancers and guest musicians. I was in the house band with Peter and David Brewis (Field Music) and Ross Millard (The Futureheads). See below for a few snaps. Photos 2 and 3 by Luke Waddington.

After this we launched into pre-production and recording for the debut album from Birdvox (a new band with Inge Thomson, Jenny Sturgeon and Charlotte Printer). Watch this space for news on its release…

Then, a bit of time to regroup before a UK tour with Start To End, reprising our Prefab Sprout: Steve McQueen shows from earlier in the year. We even made a pilgrimage to McAloon-ville. Photo 3 by Peter Freeth.

July and August brought two gigs with Andrew Wasylyk (in Leith and Stockholm respectively), two with the Kane Gang (Sunderland and Glasgow) and a great couple of weeks teaching for Folkworks Summer Schools and Summer Sessions. The summer came to an end with a beautiful night celebrating the music and legacy of Beldina Odenyo at the Mackintosh Church, Glasgow.

This year has also seen lots of behind-the-scenes work preparing for the release of the next Admiral Fallow album. First Of The Birds will be released on 31st October on Chemikal Underground (pre-order here) and we’re going on tour in November (tickets here). Photos below by Laura Meek and album artwork design by Tom Harrison.

I’m going to do my best to update things a bit more regularly around here! Let’s aim for a pre-Christmas round up… Thanks for reading x

Laura Jane Wilkie - VENT

VENT, the début album from Laura Jane Wilkie, is out now on Hudson Records.

Laura is a dear friend and just the absolute real deal musically. It’s been a privilege to co-produce the record with her over the last couple of years.

VENT is a really special collection of music, largely based on women’s waulking songs researched and reimagined with care and invention.

At its heart you’ll hear Laura and duo partner Ian Carr on top form – gorgeous playing, vibrant arrangements, a distinctive musical point of view. As if that wasn’t enough, there’s an ace supporting cast in Joe Rattray, Alice Allen, Hannah Read and Rachel Sermanni. Choral collage from Grayling, Wila Frank, Terra Kin, Gillian Fleetwood, Pippa Blundell, Imogen Macleod, Heather Cartwright and Beth Malcolm. Special mention to the inimitable Rona Lightfoot.

VENT was recorded by Stuart Hamilton at Castlesound Studios, mixed by Andy Bell and mastered by Lismore Mastering, with lush artwork by Louise Bichan.

Listen and buy HERE.


Hold Fast

I’m very excited to announce Hold Fast, a collaborative show I’ve been developing with performance-maker Ellie Dubois.

Contemporary circus meets inventive folk music in a wild, tender celebration of our enduring relationships with the landscape and each other. Made especially for village halls, Hold Fast is a spellbinding family show exploring our community and the water running through it.

I’ve been working with Ellie and the Superfan team over the past 3+ years and we're delighted to be touring Highland village halls in September 2023. Tickets for all dates HERE.

Created and Directed by Ellie Dubois, music by Sarah Hayes.

Musicians: Sarah Hayes, Anna Massie, Rachel Newton, Laura Wilkie, Jenn Butterworth*

Circus Performers: Nikki Rummer, Joana Diaz, Freya Stokka, Arielle Lauzon

*8th & 9th September

Gabrielle Cook – Choreographer / Movement Director

Christine Ting-Huan 挺歡 Urquhart – Visual Designer

Michaella Fee – Lighting Designer

Chris Gorman – Technical Stage Manager

Emma Campbell – Technical Stage Manager

Nicola Lawton for SUPERFAN – Producer

Pete Lannon for SUPERFAN – Assistant Producer

Ruari Lambert – Photographer

Celtic Connections & The Delgados tour

2023 is off to a busy start with four shows for Celtic Connections. I’ll also be joining the Andrew Wasylyk band for a few dates on tour supporting the legendary Delgados.

Here’s the full run-down. All ticket links are HERE!

21st January - O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire (Andrew Wasylyk) - London

22nd January - Roaming Roots Revue 10th Anniversary - Glasgow Royal Concert Hall

24th January - The Leadmill (Andrew Wasylyk) - Sheffield

25th January - Barrowland Ballroom (Andrew Wasylyk) - Glasgow

27th January - Catriona Price: Hert album launch - GRCH Strathclyde Suite

4th February - Hen Hoose - St Luke’s, Glasgow

5th February - 10 Years Of Lost Map (Susan Bear) - Oran Mor, Glasgow

New Admiral Fallow album, The Idea Of You – out now

Exciting news!

The Idea Of You, the new album from Admiral Fallow, is released today on Chemikal Underground. It’s been a long time in the making and we’re very pleased to finally be able to share it.

Available now from your favourite record shop or streaming platform.


CHEMIKAL SHOP | BANDCAMP
(includes T-shirts, tote bags and electric blue vinyl)

We’re heading out on tour soon – you can find us in the following places. All tickets HERE.

6 Nov - Summerhall, Edinburgh (SOLD OUT)
18 Nov - PJ Molloy's, Dunfermline
19 Nov - Tolbooth, Stirling (SOLD OUT)
20 Nov - Lemon Tree, Aberdeen
23 Nov - The Cluny, Newcastle
24 Nov - EBGBs, Liverpool
25 Nov - Brudenell Social Club, Leeds
26 Nov - Metronome, Nottingham
27 Nov - Record Junkee, Sheffield
28 Nov - Hare & Hounds, Birmingham
30 Nov - Omeara, London
1 Dec - Fiddlers, Bristol
2 Dec - Yes (Pink Room), Manchester
4 Dec - St Luke's, Glasgow (SOLD OUT)
5 Dec - St Luke's, Glasgow