8th May, Legendary Folk/Rockers “Steeleye Span” – Passion, Musicality and Cohesiveness at Walsall Arena, Walsall

Steeleye Span has been one of the most influential names in British roots music. Pioneers of folk-rock, Steeleye Span changed the face of folk music forever, taking it out of small clubs and into the world of gold discs and international tours. Members have come and gone over the years, but Steeleye has always remained at the forefront of the genre they helped to define, and, 56 years later the band has become an institution in British music.

Steeleye Span formed in 1969, with the vision of playing folk music in a contemporary, electric band format. Taking their name from the song Horkstow Grange, their debut album Hark! The Village Wait is a pioneering album that set out the blueprint for folk-rock.

The band continue to celebrate their famous past alongside their recent history. That is true of their last release, the Green Man Collection – bringing together tracks from their recent albums with new versions of three Steeleye classics (including a reworking of ‘Hard Times’ featuring Status Quo’s Francis Rossi and a cover of Elvis Costello’s ‘Shipbuilding’. The title track “The Green Man” is of special interest to Steeleye fans, a song by Bob Johnson – a member of the band throughout the seventies and responsible for many of their classic ballads from the era. Previously lost for 40 years, the song addressed the issue of climate change long before it became such a widespread topic.

The members of the band for this tour are: Maddy Prior (founding member). Liam Genockey, Julian Littman, Roger Carey, Andrew “Spud” Sinclair and the latest and most glamorous addition, Athena Octavia – part of indie folk band Iris & Steel and an acclaimed classical violinist. With this amazing line-up, the band have remained “relevant” and have moved with the times, even being compared to a heavier sound in places reminiscent of Black Sabbath.

The new album is “Conflict” and will be available exclusively on the road during this tour.

Tour Dates: