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.

Bellowhead performing their That’s All Folks…The Farewell Tour at the Royal Concert Hall Nottingham on Saturday 30^th April 2016

Images and Review by Kevin Cooper

A dozen years, countless festivals, endless awards and five brilliant albums later, Bellowhead have reached the end of their thrilling journey that has seen them reshape the landscape of British folk music.

Appearing before a sold out Royal Concert Hall for the final time last night on their That’s All Folks…tour, this big band, with its complex arrangements and a huge variety of instruments delivered a master class in keeping an audience in the palm of your hands.

At the centre of a crowed stage that housed eleven musicians and a plethora of instruments, was the commanding and engaging Jon Boden.  With his incredible stage presence he is graced with a voice as strong as would be necessary to front such a massive show that has such a huge sound.  It says a lot that when he called it a day, the band decided that they didn’t want to go on without him.

With an extensive set list; Brazilian sea shanties, Napoleonic war songs, Cornish ballads and English songs of the sea were all given that energetic and frenetic Bellowhead flavour.  From their opening salvo with Jacques Brel’s Amsterdam to the climatic closing charge of New York Girls, and a re-visit in the middle to Cold Blows The Wind and Fine Sally, this was a night of triumph and celebration, in front of a whooping, dancing and adoring full house.

Old favourites Roll Alabama Roll and Betsy Baker took pride of place in this lengthy and tightly packed set, whilst London Town prompted an audience sing along.  They delivered an extended version of the musically complex Roll The Woodpile Down and a fantastic rollicking instrumental Frogs Legs And Dragons Teeth.

Bellowhead are a group of musicians who make being in a band look like so much fun.  The old maxim ‘leave them wanting more’ has never been truer.  Roll on the reunion tour but in the meantime at least some other bands will finally get a chance at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Award for The Best Band.

Bellowhead performing at The Royal Concert Hall on Thursday 23^rd April 2015

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Pictures by Kevin Cooper
Review by Kevin Cooper

With Bellowhead at The Royal Concert Hall, it was a night destined for fun and dance, and this 11 piece English folk band did not disappoint. Coming onto a stage, set with half of the foliage from the local Garden Centre, they launched into opener Let Her Run from their latest album, Revival.

This multi-talented band each had their own part to play as they showcased their individual talents with the likes of guitars, fiddles, drums, a cello, a concertina and a great four piece horn section which brought together a fine performance of songs from all of their five albums.

They flew rapidly through tales of doctors, whores and deportation to Australia with songs such as Fine Sally, London Town and New York Girls, and it wasn’t too long before this audience were up on their feet and in the aisles, dancing. It was infectious stuff and I defy anyone not to have been tapping their feet and clapping along.

Lead vocalist, Jon Boden is a towering presence and has the same mesmerising stage presence as the late Ian Curtis (Joy Division). During the gig he provided plenty of cheeky chat, but in the main let the music do the talking. New single Roll Alabama ramped up the energy level whilst Fakenham Fair was just fun. Admittedly some of the arrangements are a little dark, but they are inventive and entertaining. Numbers like Betsy Baker, Greenwood Side and Gosport Nancy had the audience singing, before the set was brought to a close with a superb performance of Roll The Woodpile Down and the fantastic rollicking instrumental Frog’s Legs And Dragon’s Teeth.

Without doubt these are accomplished musicians whose infectious brand of folk fun means you’re guaranteed a good night, and that is exactly what they delivered as most of this audience danced their way home.