‘Over three albums and much touring, The Brothers Gillespie, two siblings from Northumberland, have won hearts with a combination of close vocal harmonies and songs carved from the rock, turf and skies of their homeland’ The Guardian, 2024

The songs of Northumbrian folk alchemists The Brothers Gillespie (James and Sam Gillespie) are animated by lyrical poetry, fluid fingerstyle guitar, multi-instrumental musicianship and ‘the glorious tones of their blood harmony’ (Sam Lee). Theirs is a music of encounter, of lark song and crow call, ash leaves and hidden ways, rooted in the earth and arising most strongly for them when they are out walking in the borderlands with their packs and instruments. Bringing together visionary mythopoetics with a deeply radical spirit, the brothers tread an older path whilst singing with fierce tenderness to the present time in all its grief and luminosity. Their live performances are known for their intimacy and the spontaneous ways they weave tales around the songs and invite audiences into the heart of the music.

The brothers have travelled far and wide with their music and have played Cambridge, Sidmouth and Moseley Folk Festivals and opened for Lankum and Sam Lee. In Spring 2022 they released ‘The Merciful Road’ (‘pure magic’, Living Tradition), inspired by the grace of life in troubled times and recorded in a cottage by the banks of the river Tweed. Like their previous album ‘The Fell’, it blends rootsy, acoustic elements to create a rich warm sound with a touch of vintage magic. 2024 saw them release the collaborative album ‘Hirondelle’ (featuring string ensemble Trio Mythos and Occitanie vocal group Tant Que Li Siam) and they are currently touring throughout the UK and getting ready to record a new album for release in 2026.

This gig is presented as part of Marsden Walking Festival 2025

Doors and Bar 7.30, music from 8.00pm

This is an accessible venue