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The songs of Northumbrian folk alchemists The Brothers Gillespie (James and Sam Gillespie) are animated by lyrical poetry, fluid fingerstyle guitar, multi-instrumental musicianship and “the glorious tones of their blood harmony” (Sam Lee). Theirs is a music of encounter, of lark song and crow call, ash leaves and hidden ways. It is rooted in the earth and arises most strongly for them when they are out walking in the borderlands with their packs and instruments. Bringing together visionary mythopoetics with a radical spirit, the brothers tread an older path whilst singing with fierce tenderness to the present time in its grief and luminosity. Their live performances are known for a rare intimacy and the spontaneous ways they weave tales around the songs and invite audiences into the heart of the music.In 2026 the brothers have been busy touring and recording, for the release of their fourth studio album Kingfisher which was released on 10 October.
Kingfisher is a collection of songs borne of deepening into the kingdom of life and its terrain of love, loss, grief and longing. These are songs dreamed into being on the banks of two Northern rivers, the Tweed and Tyne, and are suffused with riverine life, light and image. The album is a song to the old ways, to the quiet wisdoms of the wild, a rallying call to the praise makers.
The brothers have travelled far and wide with their music and have played Cambridge, Sidmouth and Moseley Folk Festivals and opened for Lankum and Sam Lee. In Spring 2022 they released The Merciful Road (“pure magic”, Living Tradition), inspired by the grace of life in troubled times and recorded in a cottage by the banks of the river Tweed. Like their previous album The Fell, it blends rootsy, acoustic elements to create a rich warm sound with a touch of vintage magic. 2024 saw them release the collaborative album Hirondelle (featuring string ensemble Trio Mythos and Occitanie vocal group Tant Que Li Siam)
“Over three albums and much touring, The Brothers Gillespie, two siblings from Northumberland, have won hearts with a combination of close vocal harmonies and songs carved from the rock, turf and skies of their homeland” The Guardian
“The music of The Brothers Gillespie feeds the soul, shining like a light through these dark times.” Jackie Morris
“Anyone who has seen the brothers live will surely attest that it is an experience that will stay with you. There is a feeling of warmth that exudes from them and affects everyone in the room” Folk London
“Not since the minimal chamber folk of Simon And Garfunkel has two voices and an acoustic guitar sounded so absolutely perfect.” FATEA
“Stunning songs beautifully sung and played. Without doubt a classic in the making from a duo potent with potential.” Northern Sky
“Uncluttered, simply but intoxicatingly arranged and adorned by their magical harmonies, musically steeped in the earth, grass and leaves that mark the pathways, this is a road you really need to travel.” Bright Young Folk
“Warning to all folk fest and clubs: book these lads while you still can because I have a feeling that they aren't going to be short of work.” Mike Harding
“The stars of the show were The Brother's Gillespie — more than an hour of fantastic musicianship. Imagine the guitar work of the early Nic Jones, the close harmony work of the Dransfields and the commitment and honesty of Bob Davenport rolled into two brothers and you'll get some idea.” Mike Harding
Doors and bar open at 7pm
Tickets £16 full price, £12 or £8 if you prefer. Please pay what you can. Book at wegottickets.com/ashburtonarts (+10% fee) or email [email protected] to reserve and pay on the door.
Ashburton Arts Centre: always three prices – please pay what you can.
See Access, Tickets & Finding Us for more about why there are three ticket prices, plus other useful info about coming to events at Ashburton Arts Centre:
https://ashburtonarts.org.uk/access-booking-tickets-parking-finding-us/
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Ashburton Arts Centre, St Andrew's Church Ashburton Devon, St Andrews Close, Newton Abbot, TQ13 7DT, United Kingdom
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