bellowhead tour 2022 reviews

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• Live Review Bellowhead At Royal Albert Hall London

LIVE REVIEW: Bellowhead at Royal Albert Hall, London

In 2010 Bellowhead made history when their third LP, Headonism, became the highest-selling independently released folk album of all time. The eleven-piece (before they disbanded in 2016) then released another two albums, which earned them their highest official chart entries, with both entering the official top 20. 

To celebrate the tenth anniversary of Headonism, Bellowhead reassembled for a one-off worldwide concert stream on 5 th December 2020. With over 10,000 tickets sold along with copies of the live album that followed, it was clear that fans would not allow the band to retreat back into retirement. With 2022 marking the tenth anniversary of Bellowhead’s fourth album Broadside , an 18-date nationwide tour was announced, which included a show at the Royal Albert Hall.

Support came from Bellowhead’s own Sam Sweeney, who played fiddle-led instrumentals from this latest album, Escape That which has a cover that looks more like the advertisement for an American blockbuster release rather than a folk LP. Nonetheless, folk music is about creating the beautiful sounds and harmonious cacophonies that Sweeney did with his backing band. The sincerity of the joy Sweeney displayed playing live whilst wearing his self-described “Neil Buchannan, Art Attack” multi-coloured jumper elated the Royal Albert Hall.

With a colossal backdrop of the Broadside LP, it was hard to believe that this modern folk classic was already ten years old. The Jon Boden fronted band opened with “Byker Hill,” Broadside’s opener. The fusion of the pure folk arrangements with anthem-arranged guitars showed how aged lyrics and folk tales can maintain their meaning as they are musically reinterpreted for subsequent generations. “The Old Dun Cow” brought the brass to the forefront to add intensity and told the story about how a fire at a public house cannot stop people from having a jolly old time by getting inebriated. The funk and jazz-leaning elements in the last minute of this track still pleasantly surprise without detracting from the fact this is a traditional folk song. The brass sections were also centre-stage with songs including “Betsy Baker”.

As well as playing masterpieces, Bellowhead gave the audience a guided tour of the UK and beyond with songs like the trumpet leading “Roll the Woodpile Down” about the sunshine state Florida. “Black Beetle Pies”, with its mystery, intensity and suspicion, took the audience to the Raglan House in Brixton. With opening xylophones, the audience were told of a benevolent woman whose philanthropic works include feeding the poor with stench-carrying insects. The unnerving soundscape is elevated to a new level on “The Wife of Usher’s Well”, who had to send her sons out to sea to their inevitable deaths. “London Town” later raised people from their seats, and the audience danced in unison as they sang along to the chorus: “I was up to the rigs, Down to the jigs, Up to the rigs of London Town”.

Sam Sweeney’s energy, despite not doing the “couch to 5k” he’d promised himself before this tour, was incredible. His sparkling green jacket transcended the stage as he jumped off every pillar and danced with merriment, all while adroitly playing the fiddle and the pipes. Each member’s sounds perfectly synchronised and harmonised whilst the individual personalities of each band member, including their attire, ensnared the audience. Some opted for period costumes; Boden opted for bright pink jackets, whilst Benji Kirkpatrick rocked out the spring break look. Each member of the band from the outset elatedly toiled and seldom had a moment to be idle. This was the magic of Bellowhead; everyone and every sound mattered, counted and equally touched the audience.  The magic of the late Paul Sartin, who played oboe and violin in Bellowhead, was present with emotive musical arrangements to his pre-recorded vocals.

Whilst fans can accept that Bellowhead have reached their zenith in the studio, they proved at the Royal Albert Hall they are still peaking. The live legacy of Bellowhead is so potent they are likely to attract new fans despite being a disbanded group.

• Royal Albert Hall

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At The Barrier

Live music, reviews and opinion / est. 2018, bellowhead – broadside anniversary tour review.

“Come my lads, let us be jolly, Drive away all melancholy.”

What more suitable clarion call as we reconnect with Bellowhead on the final lap of the 2022 (dare we say ‘reunion’ ) tour – Harrogate, Liverpool, Sheffield, Manchester see us dancing our own polka as we crisscross the Pennines.

As we settle down to look back over Bellowhead’s November 2022 tour – cue the wibbly wobbly lines of time travel -the first stop is at the events of 2016. 1st May 2016 at Oxford Town Hall to be precise, on the ‘That’s All Folks!’ tour. And so it turns out that…that wasn’t, exactly, all folks.

We’ve had the Reassembled lockdown return – ‘for one night only’ – where we inevitably mused about the inevitable question of a full-time comeback that all the fans would be hoping might follow this one-off event. We tabled the notion of an ‘oh go on then, just once more’ tour. Would the pleas from the fans ever be satisfied? Would Bellowhead skate on the frozen wastes of Hell? Or was it a case of meeting halfway with an occasional scratching of the itch? That itch seemed to be the tenth anniversary of the iconic Broadside album – the record that contains many of the stage barnstormers – and an itch that proves simply irresistible.

We’d been encouraged to grab our tickets for this tour as the word is that there will be no performances in 2023. Are we going to see Bellowhead reappear some way distant in the future then? They haven’t said “ That REALLY is all folks! ” – perhaps a lesson learned – so chances are that Broadside10 won’t be ‘it’.

A tweaking of the lineup has taken place – Jim Bulger has stepped into the brass section on trumpet (more about him later) and team strings are now joined by Sally Hawkins which is a positive shift in the gender balance in the band.

After dipping our toes into the tour for the opening show at Portsmouth Guildhall , quite appropriate considering the nautical nature of Broadside and its anniversary, we caught the final run of shows in the North. Will the magnificent eleven be all worn out; broken after a punishing schedule or ready to party for a few more times and end the year with a bang.

Harrogate Convention Centre

So – to visions of Eighties Eurovision when Harrogate hosted the world. Tonight Matthew, for the first time since the Bellowhead Farewell Tour almost to the day (Monday 23rd November 2015 according to the archive) when our heroes were accompanied by Keston Cobblers Club, we’re back in North Yorkshire and trying not to think we’re at a convention.

The touring party has had a rare day off so hopefully are champing at the bit for another shot of the adrenalin that comes with their incendiary live shows. But first is a much-anticipated chance to catch Sam Sweeney and his band – Jack Rutter, Ben Nicholls and the phenomenal Louis Campbell – playing music from the Escape That album that we rated so highly. It’s beautifully played too, and the thought of four nights of this aperitif before the main course means we can sit back and simply enjoy a choice selection before trying to make some more astute observations.

However, the first thing we note is how good it is to see an animated Jack Rutter again, really getting off on playing this music. Of late, he’s been playing and singing solo, and needing the concentration to do both is quite an ask. Tonight he’s ‘free’ again and swinging his axe – a lovely big Gibson acoustic – in joyous abandon like he used to do when he played with Seth Lakeman. What’s also apparent too is the grace of the tunes, particularly Pink Steps which starts with just Louis and Sam and before you know it, has swelled into a huge sound swirling around the Convention Centre rafters. No encore, but three more nights worth to come – can’t complain.

Bellowhead have gone all out. The production is simply a visual delight. Seafaring ephemera litters the stage – barrels, decanters and ‘wooden’ decking platforms while Benji Kirkpatrick has entered into the spirit by dressing as a cabin boy with a stripey shirt and cut off jeans. There’s also a mighty backdrop that declares ‘BELLOWHEAD’, should we need a reminder. The set recalls the multicoloured stage blocks modelled on the Pandemonium/Essential Bellowhead album packaging and where there’s sure to be some frolicking and galivanting going on.

The effect of the return of Bellowhead is like getting reacquainted with an old friend. One that’s happening in eighteen towns and cities around the nation. A subdued opening, the band in shadows as Byker Hill hoves into view and the set is clearly paced to allow for a build until any inhibitions can be cast aside and we’re back on familiar ground, Jon Boden is acknowledging that it’s time to get off your seats with a “ Yeeessss Harrogate !” (or location of the evening) until suddenly it’s like no time has passed at all and we’re all dancing the polka together. In Harrogate, a small group fo devotees are inspired enough by Let Union Be to be on their feet and they’re not going to sit down, slowly joined by a growing throng that almost rushed the front of the stage. “ Yeeessss Harrogate! ” indeed!

The familiar traits and tropes slowly appear as the set builds. There’s a happy sway to 10,000 Miles Away and Jack Lintel with massed fiddles adds to the nautical flavour. Contrast that jollity with the drama of the ghostly tale of The Wife Of Usher’s Well, lit with shadows and silhouettes while ghostly squeaks and squeals come from the brass side of the stage and it isn’t too long before we see Mr Boden on what Andy Bell calls ‘the ego platform’ conducting proceedings with arms aloft. The pink jacket is back along with a sequinned variant and it’s hard to believe that this is the same man who decided a few years back that he opted to stand down from doing this. Getting away from what Peter Gabriel in Solsbury Hill called ‘the machinery’.

The boldness and the swell of The March Past that follows the tribute to Paul Sartin in Brisk Lad, is the sign that the ante is being cranked up and following Lillibulero, the point in Haul Away as the opening tune slows, Jon Boden begins the call and the band thunder in as the main lyric begins, sees chaos reign. Wild abandon, the rush of adrenalin as performers and audience frollick away for all they’re worth. The stage becomes a playground and not for the first or only time on the tour, Sam Sweeney is off into the audience, risking having his green sequinned jacket torn from him by an overzealous fan!

The ‘hits’ then flow, the dancing shoes are fully engaged and it’s Sam again, backlit on an ego riser, sawing out the intro to Roll The Woodpile Down as the audience go way done to Florida before a mighty set of dance tunes – “ they’re dance tunes so you know what that means …” John Spiers has already reminded us – brings things to a rip-roaring, joyful conclusion.

For many – like us – there are still three gigs to go and for those who’ve been part of the Bellowhead return so far, there’s no doubt that absence has made the heart grow fonder. I think we’ve all realised what we’ve missed. The extravaganza remains the same.

Liverpool – The Philharmonic Hall

Escape That! – again. A set that going to be amongst our albums of the year for sure. And repeating viewings offer a chance to pick up on some nuances of the Sweeney Band. We’ve mentioned Jack Tutter, but also flanked by Louis Campbell and Ben Nicholls, it’s a band of youth and experience. Having seen Louis at the English Folk Expo in October, we can vouch for his remarkable talent. On electric guitar and assorted pedal board effects, he adds an interesting dimension to the sonic palette. Ben on the other hand is the go-to double bass man with his trusty instrument that does the same for the sonic depth. No wonder Sam describes them as the best band he’s played with “ don’t tell them ,” he says indicating the huge Bellowhead backdrop.

We take note of some of the stories behind the tunes- evolving on tour buses or travelodges – while making a note of the fashion statements being made onstage. Sam’s colourful “ mid-nineties, Neil Buchanan Art Attack ” reference point is one to which many of us can relate!

A word on the tribute to Paul Sartin. Thinking back to Oxford 2016 he was the final band member to leave the stage. He stopped, turned and took one last farewell look at the Bellowhead crowd. This tour is as much for him as anyone. Sally Hawkins covers his parts wonderfully well, and the band pays respect to his memory in a stately manner that befits his legacy as a musician and as a friend. Introduced by his Faustus buddy Benji, the recording of his voice singing Brisk Lad is subtly enhanced by some vocal, string and guitar parts from the live musicians and at the conclusion, the standing ovations are touching. How do you follow that? You can’t. The soft rumble from the brass boys allows The March Past to lift us from the reverie into the now, into a wake of sorts and for a brief moment, we can imagine Paul himself up on one of the platforms, giving his all to the uplifting tune. Maybe even stripping off a sparkly waistcoat, waving it round his head in a true Night Fever!

It might just be because we’re in the home of The Beatles, but a couple of Beatle-y moments pop into the consciousness tonight. The ‘pink mini guitar with shades’ interlude in Thousands Or More this evening seems to be less Hank Marvin and more George Harrison while the ‘oooh’s and ‘aaah’s in the backing vocal parts in Betsy Baker seem similarly Beatle-y.

However, it’s the “ Yeeessss Liverpool! ” moment that tonight comes in Rosemary Lane when the calypso swing and strings combined with the punky shouts of “ every rose grows merry and fine ” as Jon and Sam go glittery head to head on the stage right and left risers that has the multitude on their feet. Talking of which, the core may be folk, but the range of genres that make their way in and out of the arrangements of the songs is quite remarkable. Fine Sally swings with a disco funk – the sequinned Team Strings bang at home; The Old Dun Cow has its own jazzy funk section and tricky time signatures, Benji Kirkpatrick always on hand to step on the pedals to add a bit of wah-wah to the bouzouki while there’s a display of music hall theatricality to Betsy Baker early in the set and a lovely Last Of The Summer Wine brass richness to Fakenham Fair.

As Roll Alabama pulls on the local connection – the ship sailing down the Mersey channel – it’s a very feel-at-home moment in the grand confines of the Phil and sets up the final where a shedload of the band gathers around Pete Flood’s drum kit for some shenanigans at the start of the Sloe Gin set. One that Squeezy John reminds us has been almost a stalwart of the Bellowhead set since day one, even though we’re in latter period BH for the bulk of the tour. The morris dance variations – morris meets disco maybe – along with some Sweeney ‘one leg dancing’ options that tests Rachael McShane in trying to keep up, encourage all and sundry to lose their inhibitions and basically jump about, while saving some energy from the ultimate pogo-ing finale that comes in Frogs Legs & Dragons Teeth and the bow.

Sheffield City Hall

Two shows done, two to go. Sheffield City Hall and the gorgeousness of the main Oval Hall and its ornate ceiling. Noted by Brendan as he muses over some of the smart rooms they’ve played. It’s also relatively compact as the two balconies sit one above the other so from the stage there’s almost a vertical walk of audience to look out on. Great when we get to the point of no return which tonight sees most of the house on their feet, arms aloft as Haul Away rattles and rolls gloriously. (the “ Yeeessss Sheffield!” moment).

A sort of hometown gig of sorts too, as the Hudson Records team is in the house and Mr Boden is one of the Sheffield Massiv and they’re the recipients of another Sweeney dash around the auditorium before returning to the stage with a bump and a drag, no notes missed either so far as we could tell.

A word about the setlist which is naturally weighted towards the tenth anniversary of Broadside of which three quarters is played – a shame we don’t get Dockside Rant which has always been a personal favourite tune, not a moan, as Jack Lintel does a similar job.

With just one show left, what strikes at this point is how the two new members are totally at home – replacing the irrepressible Andy Mellon on trumpet is the similarly irrepressible Jim Bulger (turns out like Sally Hawkins has Manchester connections – good choices clearly). ‘Irrepressible ‘ must be on the job spec. Presumably, he had to prove his worth at the audition by jumping up and down a lot, making audience participation shapes and generally gallivanting, all while playing his brass parts. For that’s exactly what he did throughout the four shows we saw, and presumably the others too. Not that we’re counting but a man of the match/mentioned in dispatches performance from Jim. Squeezy John tonight seems to be in a playful mood, adding some deep vocalisms to Lilibulero. Some might even say Death Metal growls of the song title. He’s even spotted miming some air guitar (or mandolin/bouzouki) in New York Girls.

As ever, the journey that begins with a sedate musical gathering ends in unbridled liberation, riotous jubilation, uncontestable affirmation and more evidence that this train must surely be allowed to roll on.

Eliza Carthy was playing Greystones in Sheffield on the same night. “ If Sheffield is rocking ,” she tweeted, “ that means the folk apocalypse came knocking. ” Spot on! Creating a fervour as hot as one of the furnaces in the steel city.

Manchester, The Bridgewater Hall.

Scene of one of their own Tenth anniversary shows and a chance to fiddle with the Bel10whead typography. And the scene too of the final date of the tour. Must be something special about Manchester…

Another watch of Sam and his band playing their Escape That! tunes, buoyed by the prospect of more solo dates next year when we can appreciate his full catalogue. Sadly it may be without Jack Rutter who has his own solo career blossoming. Tonight we watch Louis in particular, observing him hunched over his guitar in a Jonny Greenwood (Radiohead…) stance that’s focused purely on creating those sound textures that give Escape That! much of its originality. The take up on the Escape That! jumper challenge may have been underwhelming, but surely playing the music from an album that (spoiler alert!) will feature in our own ‘album of the years’ listings, will have seen the merch stand packed and sales figures pleasingly rising.

It’s also a home gig for Jim and Sally who either bounce with unbridled abandon (Jim) or groove gently (Sally) at the appropriate moments. When in Rome eh? Is there any choice!?

Brendan’s hilariously rambling introduction to Black Beetle Pies (where Pete Flood gets to step down from his drums and take centre stage for his nightly beetle/crab-like dance which involves his percussion contraption) is a belter tonight. It usually involves insects, gussets and underwear for flavouring and bolster, but tonight’s ad-lib sees the creator of such delicacies wonderfully described as “ a dirty woman. ” He really should do more of the between-song banter. Like his uninhibited dance moves that come into play later in the set, there’s no script. Even Justin has taken a turn on this tour and he’s only a trombone player who pays no attention to the words, with his purpose to draw attention to the stage costumery of the band. The brass in the ‘period drama’ outfits, all adding a flat cap at the Manchester show, maybe acknowledging the working man roots of the industrial city; centre stage is bypassed quickly and there’s of course, the Saturday Night Fever disco glam over with Team Strings.

“ Yeeessss Manchester !” comes in Lillibulero. Seems a popular one for dragging even the staunchest of chair dancers onto their feet and we get one final chance to admire Ed Neuhauser’s jigging over on the brass side – freed from the confines (and sheer weight) of the helicon that provides such a deep end, his moves along with Justin’s grooves, Brendan’s extravagance and Jim’s bouncing, means that side of the stage is never far from the attention. Often invaded by Sam Or Benji, they provide as many tableaux for the visuals, resolutely refusing to remain still.

A word too for the man who’s genuinely the twelfth member of the band – Andy Bell on the FOH sound. What a job he does, managing to bring the might of eleven players on wildly different instruments, to a unified mass. Tonight, there may have been a nudge on the faders or maybe where we were sat, but Rachael McShane’s vocal seemed to be much more identifiable. Not a moan at all, but a chance to pick her specifically in the mix to our untrained/unsophisticated ears dulled by too much Heavy Metal, was much appreciated.

Eighteen gigs in as roughly as many days. Make that thirty-six gigs for Sam Sweeney whose energy seems to have had no bounds. Perhaps even more remarkable is the fact that his light-up shoes (mainly) lasted the pace. Like his knees and shins, they must have taken a battering as like the midfield generals of old, he covered every square inch of the stage every night, and even some of the auditorium too. From being a rookie, first taken on tour by Bellowhead as a teenager, he’s now a senior member and a focal point of the band. The fact that they’ve got to the end of a tour without Paul Sartin too is of significance. The question of whether or not the tour should have gone ahead…well, maybe there was no question, but tonight, after another emotional Brisk Lad, both Sam and Rachael seem to need a moment to gather themselves.

To quote another band – one of our faves, Porcupine Tree – is this going to be closure or continuation? Surely not the former as drawing another line under proceedings and then regretting the decision a few more years down the line might see Bellowhead rivaling Lazarus and Kiss for comebacks. Surely some form of continuation is the answer. Maybe not on an annual/regular basis but at least the indication is that there’s hope rather than the despair felt in Oxford six years ago. We’ve been told there are no plans for 2024 so to make the most of this tour but with festival bills being assembled, would the smell of the greasepaint and the roar of the crowd for the odd Summer blowout be tempting?

And then there was the bloke on Twitter whose feed had been full of Bellowhead tweets for two weeks. His comment about how hard it was to think of another band that brings as much joy as these glorious people sum up the events of November 2022 for the Bellowhead followers.

Jon Boden’s parting shot has been a “ See you again sometime. ”

“ Yeeessss Jon! “

Bellowhead online:  Website  /  Facebook  /  Twitter  /  Instagram  /  Youtube

If you would like to keep up with At The Barrier, you can like us on Facebook  here , follow us on Twitter  here , and follow us on Instagram  here . We really appreciate all your support.

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Categories: Live Reviews

Tagged as: Bellowhead , Benji Kirkpatrick , broadside , Featured , folk music , John Spiers , Jon Boden , Live Review , rachael mcshane , Sam Sweeney

Published by Mike Ainscoe

Mike has been photographing and writing about bands going back many years. A former writer and Reviews Editor on Louder Than War as well as several online music blogs, he also contributes to Fireworks and to Powerplay Rock & Metal magazines. View all posts by Mike Ainscoe

1 reply »

Thanks for the excellent review/s for the Bellowhead tour Mike, we were at the Liverpool Phil concert and it was great to see the band live once again and with such a fitting tribute to Paul.

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GIG REVIEW: Bellowhead

Welcome to UK Music Reviews » GIG REVIEW: Bellowhead

Bellowhead performing their Broadside Tenth Anniversary Tour at The Royal Concert Hall Nottingham on Wednesday 23rd November 2022

Images and Review by Kevin Cooper

It has been a long time since Bellowhead last performed live, but when the eleven strong ensemble took to the stage on Wednesday night at the Royal Concert Hall, it was as if they had never been away.

This tour is to celebrate the tenth anniversary of their fourth album, Broadside, the band’s awesome 2012 follow up to their 2010 breakthrough album Hedonism, which saw them make history when it became the highest selling independently released folk album of all time.

From the opening chords of Byker Hill, it was clear that the band were really excited to be able to flex their incredible musical talent. And with Jon Boden leading from the front, their fusion of pure folk arrangements along with anthem arranged guitars, just served to show how talented this band really are.

Never remaining still for a minute, they made use of every inch of space available. And with the opening half being fun, well rehearsed and packed with nuggets from Broadside, Byker Hill, 10,000 Miles Away which was full of pomp and glam, the hilarious Old Dun Cow and the sublime Betsy Baker all did everything that needed to be done to engage the crowd

But by far the most poignant and memorable part of the evening was the tribute to the band’s recently deceased multi-instrumentalist, Paul Sartin. As his voice emerged from the PA for an unaccompanied first verse of Brisk Lad, the band joined in with a heart rending six part harmony and great instrumental backing that had the crowd reflecting this solemn moment.

But the mayhem was quickly restored as The March Past, with its melodeon, brass section and strings all creating a cacophonous wall of sound, before Lillibulero, Roll Alabama, London Town and New York Girls all induced a mass crowd sing along. There was also the manic Black Beetle Pies and the unnerving sound scape of The Wife Of Usher’s Well

For the encore the crowd shouted for Roll The Woodpile Down which the band duly delivered before they launched themselves into Frog’s Legs And Dragons Teeth that saw everyone on their feet in celebration of the return of a truly brilliant live band.

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Bellowhead, Dome, Brighton: November 15 2022

No surprises here: it is a joy to have Bellowhead back, playing loudly in big, busy rooms. The sense of occasion, the glamour, the sheer exhilaration of the band’s brilliant racket has survived their six-year hiatus. We knew that, of course, from their lockdown gig, weirdly punctuated as it was by the pre-recorded applause Jon Boden wryly played into his mic between songs.

They’re back – properly back, greeted with real noise – ostensibly to mark the 10 th anniversary of their album Broadside ( read our track-by-track review from 2012). Swarming on to a galleon-themed set, the band begins with its triumphant opener Byker Hill. The soaring/pining Betsy Baker features early on too, but it’s Broadside’s knottier numbers – the ones less often played in the ten years since its release – that stand out.

The gig is a reminder of a group that, following the success of 2010’s Hedonism (which went silver, selling 60,000 copies), felt emboldened to explore more complex, outré arrangements. The sturm-und-drang Wife of Usher’s Well, for example, or the insane-when-you-think-about-it funk freakout version of Old Dun Cow. Black Beetle Pies (fairly bonkers subject matter, for starters) somehow blends Madness with demonic chanting, while its joyous flipside, Thousands or More, adds a restless, feverish energy that isn’t in the Coppers’ version – but which somehow makes perfect sense.

Remarkably, none of that feels inaccessible. But just in case we also get the album’s supremely punchy 10,000 Miles Away and Lillibulero – the latter particularly dear to a Sussex audience.

Equally so is the night’s main tribute to Bellowhead’s oboe, cor anglais and fiddle player Paul Sartin, who sadly died in September. Brisk Lad might be a song from Dorset, but anything referring to ‘the Downs’ reverberates strongly in this part of the world. And ‘reverberate’ is the word: a recording of Sartin’s mighty vocal is wisely accorded minimal accompaniment, which fades out to give him the final verse alone. It’s a poignant tribute to him – and the song’s tale of hardship makes it especially relevant in these straitened times, too.

Away from Broadside , there are a number of bangers to be done – Sartin’s joyful arrangement of London Town among them. The Sloe Gin and Frog’s Legs/Dragon’s Teeth tune sets are mightily, dazzlingly fun, while the crowd roars Haul Away and New York Girls back at Boden and his crew.

The sheer pleasure of Bellowhead is as evident as ever, from the “badly researched period drama” brass section stage left to the “Saturday Night Fever” strings (with Sally Hawkins doing a good job standing in for Sartin) on the right. Playing music rarely looks this fun: we can’t help but hope the band will consider making their comeback more than fleeting.

Bellowhead are on tour until November 28. See the full list of dates here

Main image: Simon Rogers

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• November 14, 2022 Setlist

Bellowhead Setlist at Royal Albert Hall, London, England

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• Byker Hill Play Video
• 10,000 Miles Away Play Video
• Jack Lintel Play Video
• Betsy Baker Play Video
• The Wife of Usher's Well Play Video
• The Old Dun Cow Play Video
• Fine Sally Play Video
• Fakenham Fair Play Video
• Brisk Lad ( Faustus  cover) Play Video
• March Past Play Video
• Thousands or More Play Video
• Black Beetle Pies Play Video
• Let Union Be Play Video
• Lillibulero Play Video
• Haul Away Play Video
• Rosemary Lane Play Video
• Roll Alabama Play Video
• Sloe Gin Play Video
• London Town Play Video
• New York Girls Play Video
• Roll the Woodpile Down Play Video
• Frog's Legs And Dragon Teeth Play Video

Note: Setlist incomplete and out of order

Edits and Comments

6 activities (last edit by yelobeli , 16 Nov 2022, 11:09 Etc/UTC )

Songs on Albums

• 10,000 Miles Away
• Betsy Baker
• Black Beetle Pies
• Lillibulero
• Roll the Woodpile Down
• The Old Dun Cow
• The Wife of Usher's Well
• Thousands or More
• Jack Lintel
• Let Union Be
• Roll Alabama
• Rosemary Lane
• London Town
• Frog's Legs And Dragon Teeth
• New York Girls
• Fakenham Fair
• Brisk Lad by Faustus

Complete Album stats

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Royal Albert Hall

• Bellowhead This Setlist Add time Add time
• Sam Sweeney Add time Add time

Bellowhead Gig Timeline

• Nov 12 2022 De Montfort Hall Leicester, England Add time Add time
• Nov 13 2022 Cambridge Corn Exchange Cambridge, England Add time Add time
• Nov 14 2022 Royal Albert Hall This Setlist London, England Add time Add time
• Nov 15 2022 Brighton Dome Brighton, England Add time Add time
• Nov 16 2022 Cliffs Pavilion Southend-on-Sea, England Add time Add time

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• MusicMaxwell

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Tour Update

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Bellowhead will reunite for a headline UK tour in autumn 2022.

The 11-piece folk troupe will celebrate the 10th anniversary of their 2012 fourth studio album, 'Broadside', with 18 dates during November. Support at all shows will come from Sam Sweeney and his band.

Stops on the trek include Portsmouth, Leicester, London, Brighton, Bath, Plymouth, Cardiff, Birmingham, Newcastle, Nottingham, Liverpool, Sheffield and Manchester, with tickets on general sale at 10am on November 26. Confirming the news on social media, the group said:

"Have you missed us? We are VERY excited to announce we are reuniting for a ONE-OFF TOUR in November 2022 to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of Broadside!! Supporting on all 18 dates will be Sam Sweeney with his band. "The reaction to the online concert last year was overwhelming and we really did enjoy playing together again. The 10th anniversary of Broadside presented an opportunity for us to take things one step further and get back out on the road. We couldn’t say no!"

Bellowhead Upcoming Tour Dates are as follows

Thu November 10 2022 - PORTSMOUTH Guildhall Fri November 11 2022 - OXFORD New Theatre Sat November 12 2022 - LEICESTER De Montfort Hall Sun November 13 2022 - CAMBRIDGE Corn Exchange Mon November 14 2022 - LONDON Royal Albert Hall Tue November 15 2022 - BRIGHTON Brighton Dome Wed November 16 2022 - SOUTHEND Cliffs Pavilion Thu November 17 2022 - IPSWICH Regent Theatre Fri November 18 2022 - BATH Bath Forum Sat November 19 2022 - PLYMOUTH Plymouth Pavilions Sun November 20 2022 - CARDIFF St David's Hall Mon November 21 2022 - BIRMINGHAM Symphony Hall Tue November 22 2022 - NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE O2 City Hall Wed November 23 2022 - NOTTINGHAM Royal Concert Hall Fri November 25 2022 - HARROGATE Harrogate Convention Centre Sat November 26 2022 - LIVERPOOL Liverpool Philharmonic Hall Sun November 27 2022 - SHEFFIELD Sheffield City Hall Mon November 28 2022 - MANCHESTER Bridgewater Hall

Compare & Buy Bellowhead Tickets at Stereoboard.com.

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What a night! while I am a fan, I admit I did wonder what Glasgow would make of the essentially 'English' nature of much of the traditional material that Bellowhead use. No need to worry! The band took their material right to the audience with no compromise! And they loved it! Probably one of the few bands that could have got away with 'Let union be' in Glasgow after the referendum!

Bellowhead also put on a great stage show. 11 instrumentalists from helicon to cello, traditional folk with a brass section! And they know how to put on a show! Lights, actions and staging all contribute to highlight the music.

Primarily the tour was about promotion of their new album,'Revival', and songs featured include Gosport Nancy, and I Want to See the Bright Lights Tonight, but as befits a 10th anniversary, a fair proportion of favourites from older albums - 10,000 miles Away, and Betsy Baker from Broadside, also feature.

Glasgow's Royal Concert Hall has a reputation for being not great in building atmosphere; too 'comfortable', many people think. Bellowhead had them rocking in the aisles by the end of the night! We didn't go on to the pub that the band said they were going off to - after all, there were 11 of them to squeeze in before the audience was added!

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Bellowhead have 11 members, about 20 instruments and the energy of Olympic athletes - they pour their heart and soul into every gig and seem to be determined not to leave anything in the tank when they go off stage.

I've seen them live about 10 times now, and I can honestly say they keep getting better, from a tiny venue in Bristol to new years eve at the Colston Hall and a sell out gig at the Albert Hall I've seen them grown into the best live band I've ever seen - better than the Who & the Stones even.

They play traditional folk tunes in a way no one else can match, its proper dancing music with sing along choruses - one thing I would recommend is get standing tickets for a great time :)

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Bellowhead is not due to play near your location currently - but they are scheduled to play 19 concerts across 1 country in 2024-2025. View all concerts.

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In 2004, Bellowhead burst onto the British folk scene like nothing before or since. Famously conjured up by duo Spiers & Boden whilst sitting in a traffic jam, they roped in friends, and friends of friends until the big band was born. In their early years Bellowhead played to hundreds of thousands of people at festivals and on tour and were regularly lauded as “One of the country’s greatest live outfits.” They recorded 5 studio albums (selling over a quarter of a million copies), were the proud recipients of 2 x silver discs and won a staggering 8 x BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards.

After a hiatus, and prompted by a record-breaking online stream during the pandemic, the band reunited for a joyous sold-out tour in 2022 which reaffirmed their status as one of the biggest and most in demand UK folk acts. A review from one of the shows in the Telegraph described it as “A thrilling reunion gig ……. rowdy, riotous fun”

2024 marks Bellowhead’s 20th Anniversary, it’s also 20 years since the release of their debut 5 track E.P.Onymous and 10 years since the release of their Top 20 studio album Revival which featured favourites including Gosport Nancy and Roll Alabama .

With support from special guests, The Longest Johns .

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Celebrating 20 Years. Door time: 7pm.

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In 2004, Bellowhead burst onto the British folk scene like nothing before or since. Famously conjured up by duo Spiers & Boden whilst sitting in a traffic jam, they roped in friends, and friends of friends until the big band was born.

In their early years Bellowhead played to hundreds of thousands of people at festivals and on tour and were regularly lauded as “One of the country’s greatest live outfits.” They recorded 5 studio albums (selling over a quarter of a million copies), were the proud recipients of 2 x silver discs and won a staggering 8 x BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards.

After a hiatus, and prompted by a record-breaking online stream during the pandemic, the band reunited for a joyous sold-out tour in 2022 which reaffirmed their status as one of the biggest and most in demand UK folk acts. A review from one of the shows in the Telegraph described it as “A thrilling reunion gig ……. rowdy, riotous fun.”

2024 marks Bellowhead’s 20th Anniversary, it’s also 20 years also since the release of their debut 5 track E.P.Onymous and 10 years since the release of their Top 20 studio album Revival which featured favourites including Gosport Nancy and Roll Alabama.

The band say “The reunion tour in 2022 meant such a lot to all of us after such a difficult time, and seemed to bring so much joy to our fans, that we thought we’d probably best do it again!”

Supporting Bellowhead is The Longest Johns , having met and bonded over sea shanties across a kitchen table in their native Bristol a decade ago, The Longest Johns – Jonathan ‘JD’ Darley, Andy Yates and Robbie Sattin – have reimagined many of folk’s classic songs while adding their own unique style of song writing to the melting pot to keep the flame of the tradition alive. In doing so, they have graced the stages of international folk festivals and toured the UK, Europe and North America.

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