John Spiers & Jon Boden – The Met, Bury – Saturday 21st February 2026

TEMPUS FUGIT

How time flies. The Premier League folk duo who said a fortunately brief farewell in 2014 only to return with the Fallow Ground album in 2021 are always fine value. A wibbly-wobbly trip down the time tunnel and we’re recalling them some in the same venue some twenty or so years ago as members of Eliza Carthy’s Ratcatchers and opening the show for her. Allegedly…(a) awaiting her arrival or (b) awaiting her blue hair dye to take. Of course, best known as the prime movers in the eleven piece Folk juggernaut of Bellowhead, who also (to borrow an overused term) ‘said a fortunately brief farewell in 2016 only to return’ in ’22, ’24 and ’26 for their joyful national processions.

However, the chance to witness S&B in close quarters is always riveting. Their clear camaraderie and affinity for playing (nicely) together and what some may see as a telepathic musical connection (although Squeezy John does cast a regular eye across at his buddy) is mesmerising to watch. The Fallow Ground album (is it really five years) is evidence of their potency as a duo whose expertise in gathering assorted tuneage and interpreting the traditionals tales and songs of the 18/19th Centuries and given a 21st Century wash is unparalleled.

SONGS, TUNES

Fallow Ground – the album – gets well covered. Its combination of tunes and carefully crafted songs is a microcosm of the Spiers & Boden MO. Some may recall the two separate bodies of work – Songs and Tunes – from 2005, which in particular highlight exactly what they do. They dip back even further to the days of 2001 and their first album, when they were trying to please everyone we’re told, where the unfailingly jaunty Adieu Sweet Lovely Nancy can’t fail to do exactly that.

Even adding a dose of healthy banter and anecdotes brings a lighter note to proceedings. Not quite in the David Eagle vein of aanarchic and slightly risque stand up, but in between songs we’re never too far away for an informative and often educational intro to the next piece or a witty dry quip. The Aussie-born tale of Bluey Brink from centuries gone by a good enough “to excuse any cultural stereotyping.” And while some of their tales might have passed via several filetrs and be known by many other names, they add a respectful nod to the legend that is Martin Carthy for the tune they use in The Outlandish Knight.

A Spiers commissioned tune leads into Haul Away. One of several pieces that transfer into massive Bellowhead arrangements which should see some rambunctious sparkly jacketed shenanigans come November. The ‘B’ word never far away,; it is after all, in the small print on the tour posters and in Prickle Eye Bush, they have a song that’s more than just “about getting stuck in a hedge.” Can’t really hear this song without having a wibbly wobbly trip down the time tunnel to May 2016 when it was the final act of the That’s All Folks tour.

400 VERSES IN THREE MINUTES

Meanwhile, they do a fine job on condensing 400 verses into a three minute single edit of Hind Horn, complete with appropriately Folky time reference point “in the morning bright and early“, and while the title track of the album might not have enough clout for a Netflix series (bloke…girlfriend…end…) it has a lovely chamber folk via country fair feel. And a mention in dispatches too for Bold Sir Rylas where JB gets as close to riffing on the guitar – he did mentioned the tuning in one of the tech spec interludes, something to do with drop B? A lovely song of cheerful violence and a due record of lawlessness in the Cotswolds and upper Thames a couple of centuries (naturally) ago and a rollickingly boisterous opportunity to stamp and sing along.

But for all the historical and educational enlightenment and the obvious musical excellence, what’s particularly pleasing is to hear Squeezy John do the public service announcement of the merch stand goods – CDs and not ‘vinyl’ but “records and LPs.” Small victories!

Spiers & Boden: Website

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