Shirley Collins

'The secret treasure of English folk music delivered a performance of unwavering and revelatory intimacy.' ★★★★★ Guardian - read review

One of the most important voices in British Folk, singer and song collector Shirley Collins returns to performing in her beloved home county with music from her first release in nearly 40 years, Lodestar.

Bringing together English, American and Cajun songs dating from the 16th century to the 1950s, collected by Shirley and recorded at her home in Lewes with music director Ian Kearey, her expressive vocals transcend time, connecting age old tradition with a contemporary edge. A key part of the British Folk revival of the 60s and 70s, her voice is still as captivating now as it was then, years after she was robbed of her voice for 30 years due to an emotional crisis. Lodestar shows that, even at the age of 81, Shirley still pushes at the boundaries of folk music.

Shirley’s band will feature Alex Neilson from Trembling Bells, Pete Cooper and Dave Arthur from Rattle on the Stovepipe and Ossian Brown from Cyclobe. A fine array of musicians and dancers will also join the event, including Boss Morris, Brighton Morris Men, Sam Lee, John Kirkpatrick, Bing Lyle and Naomi Bedford.Shirley has recently been nominated for two awards at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards. Read more from the BBC about the star who couldn't sing for 30 years, when she was robbed of her voice by an emotional crisis. Read more >>