Folk Music in 2012

Folk, country, world, ethnic and eclectic music 2012

This is the home page for the folk music section

Reviews of folk, country and world music in 2012.

On this page: | Anti-Capitalist road show |

26th April, The Musician

Be reasonable, and demand the impossible now.

Six artists squeezed on to the stage at the Musician tonight to celebrate subversion in the Anti-Capitalist Road show, billed as offering 'Hard-hitting songs for hard-hit times from some of the finest singers and songwriters in the country!'

It was sell-out show, a breathe in and squeeze past experience gig that was unlike any other that I had experienced in Leicester.

Frankie Armstrong, Roy Bailey, Robb Johnson, Sandra Kerr, Grace Petrie and Leon Rosselson were there. Reem Kelani was also billed but was unavailable on the night.

An auspicious group of acclaimed folk singers who kept alive the age-old tradition of making music as a medium for protest and social movements. The lyrics are often about topical issues but can equally well celebrate great events of the past.

It was an unusual show with the all the artists being on stage throughout the show. One by one they stood up to deliver their songs and on many occasions the audience joined in with the choruses and some of the songs.

Protest, sing and survive was the flavour of the night, reminding us that folk songs have had a long history in political and social movements both in this country and in the rest of the world.

A song about the 17th century Diggers, St. George's Hill, 1649, saw everyone in the room joining in. The Diggers were a group of agrarian communalists who believed in economic equality. St. George's Hill, in Weybridge, was the location of one of the group's actions. They began to plant vegetables on common land at a time when food prices were at an all-time high. Cromwell's New Model Army was sent to interview them but concluded that they were doing no harm. The Lord of the Manor however saw his interests were being compromised and organised gangs to attack The Diggers. They were forced to abandon St. George's Hill in 1649. This gave rise to The Diggers Song, a 17th century ballad, a version of which was recorded by Chumbawamba in 1988. Leon Rosselson wrote a song in 1974 The World Turned Upside Down, which also retold the story of the Digger's Commune of 1649, and which became an anthem for various radical groups. Billy Bragg recorded it in 1985.

But the Gentry must come down,
 and the poor shall wear the crown.
 Stand up now, Diggers all!

Some have seen English protest songs going back to the Peasant's Revolt of 1381, possibly the oldest European song on its kind. Songs about folk heroes celebrate a desire for social justice and a vehicle for social criticism. During the CND protests, from 1958 onwards, and the Aldermaston marches, inspired many young musicians to write songs that championed nuclear disarmament.

Men and women, stand together
 Do not heed the men of war
 Make your minds up now or never
 Ban the bomb for evermore.

We heard a song written by Jim page of Seattle - a song about the struggles in Palestine. There is a tradition of music that addresses the struggles of the Palestinian people with the Israelis.

Grace Petrie told the audience "It's not easy being a protest singer in an age of coalition ..." which evoked laughter from the audience. "As a folk singer", she said, "I have two settings: angry or sad." Her vibrant songs and sharp lyrics went down well with the appreciative audience. Stand up today that we might save tomorrow, drew strong acclaim from the room.

An inspiring evening. A good natured night with quite a bit of laughter, it was half gig, half rally and the audience enjoyed it very much. A song about Women in the Miner's Strike, 'No going back', It ended with a rousing song led by the artists from the stage but with the whole crowd joining in.

Lift up your eyes, lift up your voice, come to the great Re-union summed it up. Organised by Ken, the audience showed their appreciation for all those who had worked to make this a notable event in Leicester's music calendar.

Find out more about tonight's artists:

Frankie Armstrong

Leon Rosselson

Roy Bailey
"...the greatest socialist folk singer of his generation" - Tony Benn

Forthcoming shows

Friday May 25th 2012 - The Guildhall, Leicester, Grace Petrie and Josie Long, 8.00 pm (Doors 7.00pm)
Combining award-winning comedy with folk music, cuts-fighting duo Josie Long and Grace Petrie are back to tickle, serenade and outrage you about the state of 'Coalition Britain'. Come and listen to them joking, singing and talkin’ about a revolution! Pre-booking recommended, £8.00 / £6.00

There are folk nights coming up at the Red Tent in May.

The Red Tent on Facebook | The Red Tent website

The Musician

Other pages you might like:

Dawson Smith and the Exiles sing about the Welsh uprisings

Our section on Asian art and music

Our section on African and Caribbean art and music

Our page on the singers of Leicester