Steeleye Span celebrate 50 years on new UK tour

Folk rock pioneers Steeleye Span are bringing their latest tour to The Capitol, Horsham, on Thursday, April 18 (7.30pm).
Steeleye Span. Picture by Peter SilverSteeleye Span. Picture by Peter Silver
Steeleye Span. Picture by Peter Silver

The group formed in London in 1969 and, since then, they have become one of the most enduring and influential bands in British roots music.

A spokesperson said: “Over the past fifty years, Steeleye Span have come to define the concept of English folk rock – taking it from the world of small clubs into the charts, concert halls and festivals around the globe.

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“The story of their career has included incredible moment after incredible moment – taking Latin carol ‘Gaudete’ onto Top Of The Pops, recording with David Bowie and Peter Sellers, showering their audiences with pound notes, scoring a top five hit with ‘All Around My Hat’, touring UK arenas with Status Quo, reuniting virtually all their members for a famous 25th anniversary show and entering their fifth decade as creatively inspired and active as ever – including the acclaimed Wintersmith album with Sir Terry Pratchett.

“Featuring some of the most famous names in folk music from down the years (Martin Carthy, Tim Hart, Bob Johnson, John Kirkpatrick, Peter Knight, Ken Nicol, Liam Genockey), the band has perhaps been most identified with Maddy Prior – one of the most distinctive voices in British music. Helping found the band with her musical partner Tim Hart, she has steered Steeleye through their various incarnations, as well as a successful solo career and a number of regular collaborations with the likes of June Tabor and The Carnival Band.

“Steeped in the mythology and history of the British Isles – and beyond – her lyrics have retold some of the most notable stories in the tradition. Tales of love, tragedy, injustice, murder, revenge and redemption – all have come to personify the band’s musical sound, a marrying of folk tunes with the finest in rock instrumentation.”

Tickets cost £25.50. Call the box office on 01403 750220 or visit www.thecapitolhorsham.com.

Click here to find out more about the band.

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