Fairport is an institution, a festival, purveyors of memories, and keepers of the folk flame. But most of all they are a brilliant live band.” – Folk & Tumble
After a packed year, including two acclaimed tours and another highly successful Cropredy Convention, the architects of British Folk Rock – Fairport Convention – are about to head out once more, this time for their 2025 UK Tour. With a career now spanning 58 years, each trip around the sun heralds another milestone, with 2025 seeing Fairport Convention 55 years on from their seminal Full House album – featuring Simon Nicol, Dave Pegg and Dave Mattacks – all of whom join the line-up for the 2025 UK Tour.
Formed in 1967, the band pioneered the blending of traditional instruments with electric instrumentation, in turn becoming synonymous with the ‘electric-folk’ sound. Their annual music festival attracts up to 15,000 people to the fields of Oxfordshire each August, and unlike many of their peers, they continue to sell out venues across the country – delighting both existing fans and new converts alike.
Support for the Winter 2025 Tour comes from Danny Bradley, a finger style guitarist and songwriter whose mesmerising storytelling resonates with many, and has earned him recognition – winning the Judges’ Award at Liverpool Acoustic’s Songwriting Challenge in 2021. Born in the US, and raised in the UK, Bradley’s unique blend of compelling tales of Folk combined with impassioned singing and playing of the Blues colour his debut album ‘Small Talk Songs’.
“A one man orchestra… A poetic soul, and a sublime vocal range, reminiscent of the late Jeff Buckley”
– Americana UK
With their most well-known track Who Knows Where The Time Goes now nearing 30 million Spotify plays, Fairport are true statesmen of British music – cherished by critics, musicians and fans alike. This year’s line-up features Simon Nicol on guitar and vocals, Dave Pegg on bass guitar and vocals, Ric Sanders on violin, Chris Leslie on bouzouki, mandolin, banjo, fiddle, whilst Dave Mattacks returns on percussion duties.
Mattacks featured as Fairport Convention’s longstanding drummer throughout most of the 1970s, 80s and 90s. His skills have been in demand ever since, seeing him contribute to numerous studio recordings by the likes of Paul McCartney, Brian Eno, Elton John and Nick Drake. To catch Dave & the rest of the lads on tour, please check out their website.
They can also be found on social media Fairport Convention on Facebook Fairport Convention on Twitter
