The experience of Fairport Convention shines through at the Manchester Folk Festival where they appear with the highly talented Jenn Butterworth.

HER BY DESIGN

Ric Sanders meanders across the wide New Century Hall stage to introduce the highly respected Scottish singer songwriter, Jenn Butterworth. Such is his admiration, he claims Fairport Convention should be supporting her; not vice versa.

She performs a handful of songs from her latest album, Her By Design (our review here). It contains songs which give a female perspective on modern life including The Housewife’s Lament. Appropriately, Jenn opens with a super arrangement of Sandy Denny’s All Our Days. Some songs are beautifully enhanced by synchronising her synthesised backing music. But this is far from sophisticated karaoke; her vocal and guitar prowess display an incredibly high level of expertise.

Her music is lifted further when, in keeping with tour tradition on Fairport’s tours, the folk veterans join her in her last piece of the set, with a song about the perils of dating. Jenn Butterworth is definitely a shoe-in for a future spot at Fairport’s annual shindig at Cropredy, which incidentally is already close to selling out for 2026.

BREATHING NEW LIFE

Some may have thought that the huge auditorium may have swallowed up the band but there was hardly breathing space as many had to spend the evening stood in the aisles. Fairport have breathed new life into the world of folk for an unbelievable 60 years! Tonight they breathe new life vocally and instrumentally into many of their well known songs.

You could be argue that at times the Fairport setlist is rather predictable, but on this night, they give us lots of wonderful surprises, reviving songs not included in the repertoire for a while. They also give regular tunes a fresh outlook.

The audience is predominantly from the older age bracket. Simon announces that there was someone there as young as 60! Joking aside, the audience has a healthy smattering of followers from many generations.

MUCH ENVIED LONGEVITY

Fairport Convention’s longevity must be envied by many other talented newcomers on the folk circuit. It is their combined vocal and instrumental talents that are responsible for this. Not only from the current members, but also from illustrious past members.

The blend of traditional favourites Crazy Man Michael , Farewell Farewell and Matty Groves from Leige and Lief, and songs from multi instrumentalist Chris Leslie like I’m Already There and Banbury Fair shows they are much more than purveyors of nice folky sing a long ditties. I am sure if you threw a kitchen sink at Chris he’d get a tune out of it. also some of his twin violin pieces with Ric tonight were astounding.

Simon Nicol remains one of our most underrated guitarists and a fine singer. He portrays songs like John Condon with emotion and sensitivity. Dave Pegg continues to play his bass with huge aplomb, such that you could say he plays lead bass and indeed lead the line with his own composition Bankruptured. Flowers Of The Forest sees Simon deftly playing electric dulcimer given the nickname of ‘electric cricket bat!’

One of the highlights of the evening is the mighty Sloth. Every member gets their spot to solo with Dave Mattacks firing percussive bullets which were jaw dropping.

Ric, as usual, not only offers up his wide sometimes folky, sometimes rock, sometimes psychedelic expertise on violin but also his stand – up routine punctuated by Dave Mattacks’ newly christened comic keyboards. But don’t worry if you missed one of his old jokes this year…you will probably hear them again!

JOURNEY THROUGH LIFE

For those of us who have followed Fairport Convention avidly, their concerts are like a journey through your life. Each song representing memorable times in your life, and favourite times along the Fairport journey.

Fairport Convention return to the New Century Hall in May 2027 to celebrate their 60th year.

You can check out Fairport’s tour dates here. Act fast, as many shows are close to selling out.

Fairport Convention: Website

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