About this Event
When Dan Walsh first picked up the banjo, he did so with the passion and enthusiasm of a youngster who simply loved its sound. He didn’t know anything about the various playing styles, the difference between the tenor and the five-string version, or that he would in time become a widely acknowledged world-class proponent of the instrument. He just thought it sounded cool.
What’s remarkable about the BBC Folk Award nominee is that he’s retained that infectious and inspiring energy right throughout his career – and has picked up equally impressive vocal and guitar chops along the way.
Initially captured by the drive and melody of Irish banjo, he was soon struck by the flawless Americana of artists such as Alison Krauss, Union Station and Nickel Creek. Dan has since explored the full breadth of the folk idiom – from English jigs to inventive jazz and frenetic funk, modern singer-songwriter fare and even the Indian raga – but his upcoming album returns to those down-home country roots.
Across all his work, he has wowed audiences with a performance style equal parts blisteringly kinetic and accessibly conversational. As well as his thriving solo career, he’s an in-demand session musician, recently recording with Ward Thomas and Darius Rucker and playing live with Imelda May and Seasick Steve. He’s also a key part of the acclaimed Urban Folk Quartet (“impossibly wonderful,” fRoots). And he has toured the world, from Canada and the USA to Australia, New Zealand and across Europe, everywhere winning new fans for his rare mix of virtuosic musicianship, moving and amusing songwriting, and winning charm.
That makes his upcoming album, “At The Station”, a red-letter moment for music fans of all kinds. Consisting of twelve tracks informed by that early love of bluegrass and Americana, this first full studio effort since 2019’s “Trio” marks a new high-point for his songwriting and musicianship alike. From his popular COVID-era social media collaborations to more recent collections of live favourites and Irish tunes, Dan has been busy in recent years deepening and expanding his craft. What has emerged is perhaps his most joyous, surprising and above all entertaining record yet.
The stirring anthems of “Still A Town” and “What We Should Be Fighting For” set the pace, with the catchy pyrotechnics of “Acoustic Circus” and “Changing Tide” steering course. With gentle waltzes, moving ballads and even a creative cover or two all present and correct, “At The Station” also sees Dan emerge as a confident bandleader, with fiddle, mandolin and upright bass featuring heavily. The expanded sound often puts Dan’s searing, melodic vocals front and centre.
Whether in a group, as a soloist or as one half of noted duos with Alistair Anderson, Jason Dowling or Brooks Williams, Dan is a full-spectrum musician – an ingenious instrumentalist, evocative songwriter and dynamic performer. From the largest festivals in Europe to the most intimate folk clubs in England, he’s become a beloved performer, respected teacher and inventive composer.
It might all seem a long way from a boyhood love of bluegrass. But onstage, online and on “At The Station” he’s still showing us all how exciting, versatile and simply fun the banjo in particular – and folk music in general – can really be.
Our venue, as usual, is the The Cafe, Fenton Town Hall, Albert Square, Fenton, Stoke-on-Trent, ST4 3FA. You can buy alcoholic and hot and cold drinks in the cafe, as well as cake! Free on-street parking is available. The nearby Council car park is free after 7pm.
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
The Cafe, Fenton Town Hall, 1 Albert Square, Stoke-on-Trent, United Kingdom
GBP 13.70
