The Albion Band
The Albion Band are an English folk/rock band, originally conceived, brought together and led by musician Ashley Hutchings, founder member of both Fairport Convention and Steeleye Span.
Generally considered one of the most important groupings in the genre, it has contained or been associated with a large proportion of major English folk performers in its long and fluid history. In 2011 for the first time in the bands history, Ashley stepped aside to let son, Blair Dunlop, lead a new generation of folk artists from a range of backgrounds in shaping a new Albion Band that went back to the band’s roots to make English rock music rooted in tradition.
This new line up also features a number of other current folk performers from a range of backgrounds reflecting earlier versions of the Albion Band. These members include Folk Award nominee Katriona Gilmore (Tiny Tin Lady, Gilmore/ Roberts - Fiddle and vocals) the traditionally biased vocalist, concertina player and guitarist Gavin Davenport, (Crucible, Glorystrokes, Hekety, solo) drummer Tom Wright (Eliza Carthy projects/ Glorystrokes), Tim Yates (Blackbeard’s Tea Party/ The QP) taking on the onerous duty of playing bass - only the second bass player - the first being Ashley Hutchings himself and lead guitarist and relative newcomer Benjamin Trott. This line up released an own label taster EP in 2011 and in early 2012 released a full studio album, The Vice of the People, to rave reviews.
Website: The Albion Band website
Youtube: The Albion Band performing at The Assembly Hall Theatre, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent on Thursday 15th March 2012