Feast of folk at Leamington's Spa Centre

Buy photos » Fairport Convention - 45 years and still going strong. (s)

FOLK fans have much to look forward to at Leamington's Spa Centre in the coming months.

British folk-rock pioneers Fairport Convention have just celebrated no less than their 45th anniversary and show no sign of putting down the guitar and fiddle just yet.

The band - which has won a coveted BBC Lifetime Achievement Award and Radio 2 listeners voted Fairport’s ground-breaking album Liege & Lief 'The Most Influential Folk Album of All Time' - play the Spa Centre on February 8.

Their current Winter Tour will see them showcasing songs from their most recent studio album, the critically acclaimed Festival Bell, together with plenty of old favourites.

Steve Knightly - one half of award-winning duo Show of Hands - goes it alone as part his solo tour on February 15.

The singer-songwriter has made his name with bleak, witty and finely observed narrative songs which reflect the trials and tribulations, and the hopes and fears of people from his native West Country and beyond.

Others of a folk persuasion taking to the Spa Centre stage will be singer-songwriter Martin Simpson, while Edwina Hayes, Henry Priestman and Iain Matthews will also appear in the intimate surroundings of the Studio.

And folk is not the only music which can be heard at the Spa Centre this season.

From Kyle Eastwood, the jazz playing son of Hollywood legend Clint Eastwood, to China In My Hands 80s popsters T'Pau, there is no shortage of variety.

The line-up also includes rhythm and blues from The Blues Band, and the all strumming Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain.

Singers taking to the stage include former Dr Hook frontman Dennis Locorierre, Stacy Kent performing songs from her six bestselling albums, and one time pop man turned jazz singer Curtis Stigers.

Big-band sounds will be provided by The Midland Youth Jazz Orchestra, The Syd Lawrence Orchestra, The Glenn Miller Orchestra, and Grimethorpe Colliery Band.

For tickets and further details visit www.royalspacentreandtownhall.co.uk or call the box office on 01926 334 418

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