Blair Dunlop + Olly Neasham

The son of Ashley Hutchins, Blair Dunlop was musically nurtured from an early age. He began playing guitar at the age of six and is now a rising star in the folk world, a member of the newly formed Albion Band and an accomplished solo singer and guitarist.

Blair Dunlop’s achingly beautiful Blight & Blossom may be one of the most memorable and melodic debut albums of recent years, but what has really marked him out from his peers is his ability to craft deceptively simple songs that connect with everyone who claps ears on them on a deeply emotional level that belies his age. Still only 21, few people in the music world who had been paying attention were surprised when he scooped the prestigious Horizon Award at the 2013 BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards. Blight & Blossom attracted a rapturous reception from the critics and received regular airings from a host of stations including BBC Radio 2 and 6 Music.

Although you could argue that Blair Dunlop plays folk – a musical form that invariably and unfairly affords its brightest stars more time in the shadows than the spotlight – his ineffably moving songs somehow defy categorisation.

May 2014 sees the launch of Blair’s eagerly awaited second album,  ‘House of Jacks’.  The new album allows Blair venture into his wider influences and expand to a more contemporary sound.  Still laced with the beautiful, crafted songs as we have come to expect along with his virtuosic guitar playing. We can’t wait to here it.

“A vital bridge between Brit folk’s first and latest flowerings” – Q Magazine

The Picturehouse Cafe Bar is open beforehand for delicious food and drinks.