Ed Harcourt & James Walsh – The Strines Nightingale, Stockport – 30th May 2026

INTO THE WOODS…

Four days prior to this Sunday afternoon performance, Britain basked and baked in 30 degree heat. Here, nestled between Stockport Centre and the Tors of The Peak District sits a small outcrop of land known as The Wood at The Strines Nightingale pub. In the hours leading up to the gig it was unclear whether the two stalwarts of British Singer-Songwriting would perform inside or out. Alas, beneath these rolling hills and mills, the weather held out and into the woods we went. 

A small, purpose-built cabin, camouflaged in the trees, housed an upright black piano and stool set on an antique rug, with pedals and amps scattered around it. String lights added a soft glow while around 100 fans gathered for what felt a rare and intimate shared moment. To the left a marquee offered pre-gig shelter, where Ed Harcourt, in a crisp white linen jacket, fueled himself appropriately with pre-match refreshments while the start time remained open to negotiation. It was in keeping with the informal setting of the afternoon, helped along by the option to get a great pint, pulled well and for a proper Northern price. 

ED HARCOURT

Ed Harcourt is, by his own admission, a tree-loving eccentric artist whose songwriting has formed part of the British songwriting landscape for 25 years. His gift lies in the way he sketches people and places with such detail that the songs feel lived-in, and beneath the towering trees that quality felt especially vivid.

As he made his way through to the upright piano, there was an open and honest vulnerability – this wasn’t a roaring capacity crowd but a gathering of listeners drawn to the uniqueness and intimacy of the event. A good early dose of Harcourt humour broke the early ice as he admits to not being entirely sure of the gig until Thursday. That uncertainty only sharpened the charm of it all. 

A BALANCE OF CONTROL AND FLAIR

He opened with Back Into The Woods, while insects drifted lazily between the chairs. His voice sat richly in the lower register, lingering on the notes before climbing into a higher range with a slight crack and ache. The piano mirrored that balance of control and flair. Into The Loving Arms Of Your Enemy and My Heart Can’t Keep Up With My Mind followed, both taken from 2024’s El Magnifico album, with the latter seeing him switch to his custom-built cherry-red guitar.

Moving back to the piano, he began to warm into his typical vociferous style by introducing Furnaces – one of his most popular tracks taken from the 2016 album of the same name – with a pointed side note regarding Tony Blair’s recent re-emergence and, in true style, lets us all know just why he thinks it might be time for our Prime Minister to slide off into the shadows again (delivered in a much more flowery manner). Those Crimson Tears and Hey Little Bruiser, the latter written to capture the birth of his son, brought the more tender moment of the set, while A Ghost Walked Through Me came with a tale of serendipity and again centre-stage with his guitar. I’ve Become Misguided, sung through a copper mic, sounded particularly fine in the afternoon light. 

TRUE VIGOUR

One of the most affecting moments of the afternoon arrive with The Low Spirits, introduced with memories of Marianne Faithfull. Loup Garou stood out as a personal favourite (and request), a difficult song to perform but delivered with true Harcourt vigour. Apple Of My Eye and Strange Beauty followed, the latter shaped by requests from the crown that ranged from those for whom this was an epiphany and his more ardent followers. Harcourt closed the set yesterday drifitng into the audience with his reverb-drenched microphone for Until Tomorrow Then, turning the who performance into something more of a shared secret. 

It will not be the last we see of him during the afternoon, but he takes his drink back off the piano and meanders down into the opening to meet and greet those most wishing for those impossible interactions. 

JAMES WALSH

Following Harcourt was never going to be easy, James Walsh admitted as much, but this did provide a natural contrasting step in styles. As the crowd regathers with their drinks replenished and the reshuffling of chairs, he smiled as he took centre stage, acoustic guitar in hand – smiling. 

Having recently reviewed his latest solo album, Its All Happening, it was great to see how much of it had found its way onto the set alongside the Starsailor songs that made his name. And so, it is most apt that he opened his set with Silence Is Easy, a choice that suited both the setting and mood, and even Walsh himself drew attention to the setting: “It’s great to be out here in nature.” Walsh is softly spoken and humble yet this is what draws and shuffles the crowd in more. Then, with a further signal of intent he continues with the sing-along hits of old through Fever – taken from the classic debut Starsailor album; a reminder that those earlier track still land with force. 

POIGNANT & HEARTFELT

The aforementioned recent solo release from Walsh is full of poignant, heartfelt tracks and out here in the woods they receive a new lease of life. I Can’t Keep Myself From Loving You was a beautiful, intimate love song, while Firefly Moments came with a brief nod to the harmonising of the birds above. This quiet humour suited the moment and made the performance feel grounded, never overworked, just carefully held. 

He then settled into a pattern that worked well in this setting: Way To Fall and Tie Up My Hands from the Starsailor catalogue, followed by The Great Northwest – dedicated to those there and from the surrounding areas – and At The End Of Everything from the recent solo record. The latter in particular showed the resilience of his songwriting, a song that refers to the struggle of the writing process. James Walsh’s tenderness offered a counterpunch to Harcourt’s more expansive style, and the style of these two great friends complemented each other throughout the afternoon. 

BRANCH-SWAYING

Yet, as the light began to break through the passing clouds above, Walsh leaned further into his performance with a branch-swaying version of Poor Misguided Fool, sounding as good today as it ever has. This was duly followed by Lullaby, suitably stripped back for setting before Tea and Sympathy was introduced as a song which represents the angst caused by the fight of others when compared to the fight of your own – a case of schadenfreude from Walsh. 

Less than twenty-fours hours earlier, James Walsh had appeared at Mani-chester: a night of music dedicated to the late Mani – a member of The Stone Roses and Primal Scream. Like the night before, James Walsh bravely covered Your Star Will Shine taken from Second Coming. With its distinctive acoustic guitar intro, Walsh performed a stunning tribute to the Mancunian icon as those in the crowd mouthed along with real love and passion. Rightfully so, it received the warmest reception of the afternoon. Wrapping up his solo set, James Walsh rang straight though Alcoholic and Four To The Floor. Two of the most recognisable and stand-out Starsailor tracks given an extra lift by the setting.

Encore: James Walsh and Ed Harcourt

There had to be an encore, and it was written in the fearny floor that it should be a moment shared by both artists. Leading the pre-encore applause was Ed Harcourt as jester on the side of the stage cajoling James and the crowd for just a bit more. And so, softly encouraged by the crowd, Ed Harcourt joined James Walsh on stage, glass of something in hand, and sat promptly at the piano.

They broke immediately into a cover of Bob Dylan’s I Shall Be Released, in which there were duets and a piano solo: a perfect song to begin the windup for a stunning afternoon. And so, with immense gratitude to Chris and his team at The Strines Nightingale, the pair came together again for their rendition of the excellent Good Souls. It was an ideal and fitting song to wrap up an afternoon of music shared between these two great friends of twenty six years. There were pictures shared of them both and a moment for those there to share their personal gratitude with both artists.

 THE WARMTH OF A MOMENT

Strolling back to the car park, up the stoney path, past those in the pub enjoying a Sunday drink, there was a general warmth of a moment shared by the crowd who had gathered under the secrecy of the treetops. There was the risk that the afternoon could have rolled on inside as a piano sat vacant near the bar. I had to slide away, but I hope for the pub punters there, that there might have been one last moment of magic caught and, if not, there had been enough in that clearing caught and captured by the arboreal life below. 

James Walsh concludes his UK tour with Ben Ottewell (Gomez) in Cardiff on June 5th and Norwich on June 7th. 

Ed Harcourt has a string of dates in the UK through September and October beginning in Nottingham (September 20th) then visiting Manchester (October 6th), Liverpool (October 7th), Birmingham (October 8th) and Leicester (October 12th)

Ed Harcourt: Website

James Walsh: Website

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