Legendary John Kirkpatrick coming to Marston

Marston Church, sitting in a beautiful location on the outskirts of Frome, is proving to be a delightful venue for music and theatrical events. Their final concert for 2022 features national folk legend John Kirkpatrick with his dynamic, good cheer, Christmas Show, Carolling and Crumpets.

Players of melodeons, accordions and concertinas will know John as a master of all these instruments. A former member of Steeleye Span and the Albion Band, John formed his own ‘rock-folk’ John Kirkpatrick Band in 1997 but has also performed solo and recorded seven solo albums. As a performer, teacher, composer, choreographer and musical director John was awarded the MBE in 2021 for his services to folk music.

Taking its title from one of John’s songs telling the Nativity story from the point of view of the animals in the stable, his show is a heart-warming look at the timeless rituals found in the folklore and folk music of England at Midwinter.

John peels away the commercial gloss of modern Christmas to reveal mysterious and murky goings-on in magical songs of wassailing, wren-hunting, stirring the fire and incessant feasting, dressed up in toe-tapping tunes and cracking choruses.

Add to the mixture a light-hearted smattering of hilarious original songs and a sprinkling of carols both familiar and unfamiliar, all with John’s usual panache and energy supported by his scintillating skill on a variety of squeeze-boxes, and we have an unbeatable recipe for a rattling good time, guaranteed to keep the spirits cheery and the cold at bay.

John is performing at Marston Church on Friday 2nd December at 7.30pm. For information on the venue and tickets visit www.marstonmusic.co.uk.