{"id":24863,"date":"2026-01-11T07:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-01-11T07:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aata.dev\/?p=24863"},"modified":"2026-01-11T09:52:32","modified_gmt":"2026-01-11T09:52:32","slug":"sidetracks-detours-featuring-pass-it-on-news-11-1-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aata.dev\/index.php\/2026\/01\/11\/sidetracks-detours-featuring-pass-it-on-news-11-1-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"SIDETRACKS & DETOURS featuring PASS IT ON NEWS 11 1 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

SIDETRACKS & DETOURS featuring PASS IT ON news<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

NEW YEAR NEWS<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sunday 11 1  2026<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

CONTENTS<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n

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1 The Office by Peter Pearson<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

2 Folk Music News from Sound Roots<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

3 Folk Music UK CHarts from Folk Expo<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

4 Music In Portsmouth from Iain &Margaret<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

5 A Night At The Theatre by Norman Warwick  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

6 Ribble ValleyWish You  A Happy Jazz And Blues New Year <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jazz In Reading<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

7 Rochdale Round Up for all across the arts<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

8 PANTOMIME POPS UP IN PLAYA BLANCA<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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1 THE OFFICE<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

where there\u00b4s always a good tune<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

says Peter Pearson<\/strong> (right)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I was saddened by how cruelly the old year stole away with three musicians, all of who whom were revered in our Sidetracks & Detours<\/strong> offices in the UK<\/strong> and The Canary Islands.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Brian Wilson<\/strong>\u00b4s passing was widely covered on TV news and in the press in the UK but surprisingly there has been no TV programmes shown of him or the Beach Boys<\/strong>. He died in June which is usually a quiet time in the TV schedules, so a change to the schedules should not have caused any complaints from viewers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I heard about the death of Joe Ely<\/strong> and immediately dropped an e mail on to our editor\u00b4s office in Lanzarote and he responded with his tale about how Joe introduced him to Tex Mex food, and on being hit by yet another Americana death at year end, we both agreed how surprised we each were to realise how much we will miss that great voice of Raul Mola<\/strong> and infectious enthusiasm of a Maverick<\/strong> artist who stepped lightly across musical borders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nevertheless, I was excited by the start to the Songwriter & Invisible Angels series published a couple of weeks ago.  The series is going to be posted one chapter at a time, three times a year, and so will continue to the end of 1928.  I have virtually finished the second chapter, Bill Morrissey<\/strong>, and am just about to send text and photographs over to what Norm calls The White House ! Actually, by governmental decree all houses in Lanzarote are painted white, a reflection of the late visionary artist, Cesar Manrique<\/strong>. Our Head Office is actually merely a house, painted white to avoid legal proceedings !!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I am thinking of bringing forward the Dave Alvin<\/strong> piece as I have been listening to his albums recently. Readers of Sidetracks & Detours might be aware that his West Of The West <\/strong>album was a tribute to California singer songwriters of which he himself is one. The album kicks off with John Stewart’s California Bloodlines<\/strong> and the liner notes to the CD expand on his inspirations for the album. If you have not seen the liner notes -they make for interesting reading. I sent a pdf copy to Norm, who is a fellow fan of mine of the late John Stewart<\/strong>, but is sometimes too busy writing to have time read !<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I have also just read news that Kathy Mattea<\/strong> has been added to the Transatlantic Sessions<\/strong> line up so with her and Darrell Scott<\/strong>. I’m looking forward to the gig much more than in recent years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Celtic Connections<\/strong>, the annual folk festival in Glasgow<\/strong>, has a stellar line up this year and what usually happens is that those USA artists appearing there who would like extra dates but don’t want the expense and bother of arranging additional solo gigs, team up with the Transatlantic Sessions tour. Mattea and Scott have done that but Lucinda Williams<\/strong>, who is at Celtic Connections with her own band, has arranged her own separate tour. She has a new album to promote, scheduled for release in February<\/strong>. I will be seeing see her at The Bridgewater Hall, Manchester <\/strong>at the end of this month, a few days prior to the Transatlantic Sessions<\/strong> gig at Aviva Studios<\/strong> just off  Deansgate<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Transatlantic Sessions are back with a rich celebration of musical traditions that connect Scotland, Ireland and the US.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

With its roots as an award-winning TV series<\/strong> and an annual focal point of Celtic Connections<\/strong>, Transatlantic Sessions presents an exclusive line-up of guest singers and a stellar house band. I anticipate the usual mix of original material alongside age-old tunes and songs as they explore shared roots and find new common ground between today\u2019s finest Celtic and Americana musicians.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Featured vocalists include Grammy-winning country, bluegrass and folk music star Kathy Mattea<\/strong>, Nashville\u2019s finest multi-instrumentalist and singer-songwriter Darrell Scott<\/strong>, Scotland\u2019s extraordinary folk singer Karine Polwart<\/strong>, who is fast becoming a national treasure, and West Kerry’s multi-award-winning singer Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The show’s seasoned house band, guided as ever by Aly Bain<\/strong> and Jerry Douglas<\/strong>,features renowned Celtic and Americana roots musicians John Doyle<\/strong>, Michael McGoldrick<\/strong>, Tatiana Hargreaves<\/strong>, Allison de Groot<\/strong>, John McCusker<\/strong>, Donald Shaw<\/strong>, James Mackintosh <\/strong>and Daniel Kimbro<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Transatlantic Sessions<\/strong> at Aviva Studios<\/strong> has become the ultimate back-porch session and I look forward to sharing with Norm and the Sidetracks & Detours readers my thoughts on the gigs I see at Aviva and elsewhere throughout 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That is not as easy as it once was !<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Those artists we would normally see at venues such as Bury Met<\/strong>, like Tom Russell<\/strong>, are just not visiting my local area, even when they do come across the pond. In days of yore we were blessed with promoters like Stampede, run by Ian Johnson<\/strong>, and Mr. Kite<\/strong> and John Graeme Livingstone\u00b4s Stillwater Tours<\/strong>, to name three music-lovers who brought country and Americana musicians to the North West here in the UK. Without them artists like John Stewart, Guy Clark<\/strong> and Townes Van Zandt.<\/strong> And just as importantly, in these days of Transatlantic sessions UK artists such as Julie Matthews<\/strong> and Gary Hall<\/strong>, Norm\u00b4s next choice for  an <\/p>\n\n\n

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2 FOLK MUSIC NEWS<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

delivered by expo folk<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

PETER\u00b4S FIELD MUSICAL<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n


Peter\u2019s Field<\/strong> is an epic musical chronicle of one of the most significant days in working-class history and this spring embarks on its first nationwide tour.

On 16th August 1819, 60,000 peaceful protesters gathered in Manchester to hear radical speaker Henry \u2018Orator\u2019 Hunt<\/strong> call for the vote for the working class. Magistrates responded by sending in cavalry, killing at least 18 people in The<\/strong> Peterloo Massacre.
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Commissioned by Sound Roots<\/strong> and Rochdale Development Agency<\/strong>, Peter\u2019s Field features nineteen original songs by Sean Cooney<\/strong> of The Young\u2019uns,<\/strong> performed live with Rowan Rheingans<\/strong> and Sam Carter<\/strong>. 
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The show brings history vividly to life through powerful songwriting, striking harmonies and radio-ballad-like storytelling and has been described as \u201ca passionate performance… evocative and haunting\u201d by Songlines.
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Tour Dates – March 2026<\/strong>

10th March 2026  Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon
11th March 2026The Fire Station, Sunderland<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 12th March 2026 Rochdale
 13th March 2026  Upper Chapel, Sheffield<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 14th   March 2026  Conway Hall, London
 15th March 2026  The Music Room, Liverpool Phil,    Liverpool<\/p>\n\n\n\n

16th March 2026  Live to your Living Room (Online)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The eagerly anticipated album and book release will be available to pre-order later this month and will be released by Hudson Records<\/strong> on February 2026, featuring Sean Cooney alongside Sam Carter, Eliza Carthy and Jennifer Reid.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Secure Your Trade Stand for EFEx 2026<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trade stand bookings are now open for music organisations and artists who want to showcase their work to the English Folk Expo 2026<\/strong> industry delegation and artists in Manchester. This opportunity is open to both showcasing and non-showcasing artists, as well as organisations, represented or not at EFEx

Numbers are limited, so if you work in the music industry and want to connect directly with industry delegates and showcasing artists, an EFEx 2026 trade stand offers a focused, high-value networking opportunity.

Trade stands are priced at \u00a3180 + VAT<\/strong> (\u00a3216 total) and include a professional trade stand, table, tablecloth, power supply, chairs, a printed name board and a listing in the EFEx delegate app.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As 2025 drew to a close, we were treated to some truly breathtaking standalone Manchester Folk<\/strong> shows from Sam Lee (see left)<\/strong>, Windborne<\/strong>, John Smith<\/strong>, Penguin Cafe<\/strong> and many more<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now, as we step into the new year, we\u2019ve got an exciting run of one-off shows ahead with The East Pointers<\/strong><\/a>, Red Sky July<\/strong><\/a> and Peter\u2019s Field<\/strong><\/a> – not to mention the much-anticipated return of \u201cthe UK\u2019s leading urban folk festival\u201d (Mark Radcliffe), Manchester Folk Festival<\/strong><\/a> <\/strong>on Thu 19 – Sat 21 March 2026.<\/strong>

Explore some of our festival highlights and secure individual tickets for these headline concerts, or our final remaining three-day  festival wristbands<\/strong> and Check on line for Saturday Festival Day Tickets<\/strong><\/a>,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Seth Lakeman<\/strong> was catapulted into the music mainstream when he was nominated for the Mercury Music Prize<\/strong> in 2005 for his album \u2018Kitty Jay\u2019<\/strong>. His performance at the Festival will be supported Ellie Gowers<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Inspired by the legends and stories of Dartmoor in the Westcountry where Seth grew up, it was produced by his elder brother Sean Lakeman<\/strong> and cost just \u00a3300 to record in his kitchen in a Dartmoor<\/strong> village.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Multiple albums, tours and high-profile collaborations later, the acclaimed folk artist released his latest studio effort The Granite Way<\/strong>, in February 2025 on his own label, Honour Oak Records<\/strong>. This is a collection of songs recorded alongside a group of long-time collaborators of Seth\u2019s, staying true to his roots and referring to ancient stories that inspired early West Country storytelling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In recent years Seth was delighted to be asked to record on Van Morrison\u2019s<\/strong> album \u2018Moving On Skiffle\u2019<\/strong> and he collaborated with Public Service Broadcasting. Seth has also previously worked and toured extensively with Robert Plant (Led Zeppelin)<\/strong> with his band the Sensational Space Shifters.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thu 19 March | Hall\u00e9 at St Michael’s<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

photograph<\/strong> Rachael McShane<\/strong><\/a> is a renowned folk singer, cellist, fiddle and viola player from the North East of England. She gained fame as an original member of the award-winning folk big band Bellowhead.<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

McShane is also leader of The Cartographers<\/strong>, a band that have garnered a loyal following thanks to their impressive live performances and critically acclaimed debut album, When All Is Still<\/em>.<\/em><\/strong>ea<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thu 19 March | Band on the Wall<\/strong>

Sheelanagig<\/strong> have been stomping, roof-raising, high-energy live folk for twenty years. In 2025, they celebrated this milestone anniversary with the release of St Congar\u2019s Walking Stick,<\/strong> a bold new chapter that found them embracing a more folk-rock flavour, while staying true to their signature sound of break-neck bangers with thoughtful takes on traditional tunes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

PASS IT ON LOGO<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n

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3 UK FOLK CHART<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

delivered by Sound Roots & Expo Folk <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The highest new entry in the December 2025 chart was Kate Rusby with<\/strong> her festive album 20 Christmas Is Merry<\/em><\/strong>, entering at No. 4<\/strong>. This album features seventeen stunning live tracks recorded in several venues over the past five years, as well as five new acoustic re-workings of Kate\u2019s most beloved Christmas songs, showcasing her unmistakable voice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Currently at at No. 6<\/strong> is newcomer Dove Ellis <\/strong>with his <\/strong>debut album Blizzard<\/em><\/strong>. Ellis is a seemingly elusive character, without a biography and preferring a limited social media presence. Nevertheless, he has recently returned from a US tour, supporting cult favourite Geese. Sonically compared to the likes of Tim and Jeff Buckley<\/strong> and Rufus Wainright<\/strong>, Blizzard<\/em> has found its way onto several Albums Of The Year lists, despite being released in 2025\u2019s final month<\/p>\n\n\n

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The Magpie Arc\u2019s <\/strong>Gil Brenton<\/em> entered the charts at No. 7<\/strong>. This seven song\/forty minute album features five re-workings of traditional songs and two original compositions firmly rooted in the English folk tradition. An entirely independent endeavour, Gil Brenton<\/em><\/strong> possesses all the hallmarks of the folk rock genre, wrapped in inventive present day production with electronic soundscapes that beautifully enhance the songs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coming in at No. 11<\/strong> was Keaton Henson\u2019s <\/strong>Parader<\/em>. In twelve tracks, Henson unravels an introspective autopsy of time as it distorts and folds to inhabit the songwriter\u2019s present. Merging folk with the grunge-fused sounds of his youth, Parader<\/em> melds emotional darkness, melancholy and seething frustration as Keaton reckons with the hauntings of his past.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Brightly Shone The Moon<\/em><\/strong> by the internationally acclaimed composer and performer Laura Cannell<\/strong> comes in at No. 21<\/strong>. Recorded in Laura\u2019s home studio, the album offers alternative Christmas music for those who love and mourn in a season where darkness is everywhere. In these nine tracks, Cannell highlights where joy and heartache interweave with tradition and winter leaves its mark. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Featuring a perfect mix and balance of both traditional carols and original new seasonal songs, Flakes & Flurries<\/em> by St Agnes Fountain<\/strong> stood at No. 32<\/strong>. Teeming with nostalgia, joy and tradition, there is something for everyone on this album. These eleven tracks are brimming with the artistry, musicianship, writing and harmonies St Agnes Fountain have been producing for over two decades.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

photograph<\/strong> Standout song-writing talent Michael McGovern\u2019s<\/strong> album Thin White Road<\/em>  joined the chart at No. 39<\/strong>. Drawing inspiration from literary voices like Laurie Lee, Hunter S. Thompson <\/strong>and T. S. Eliot,<\/strong> this album honours McGovern\u2019s signature fingerpicking style whilst expanding sonically into full band arrangements. The captivating track \u2018Evelyn\u2019<\/strong> has inspired widespread online covers from fans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On this month\u2019s Official Folk Albums Chart Show<\/strong> from Folk on Foot<\/strong><\/a>,<\/strong> host Matthew Bannister<\/strong> reveals how you can win exclusive tickets to the Folk Album of the Year Award gala at Rochdale Town Hall<\/strong> on March 17th<\/sup>. There\u2019s also music from Kate Rusby, Magpie Arc, Laura Cannell, St Agnes Fountain, Skinny Lister <\/strong>and Michael McGovern<\/strong>. Lucy Shields<\/strong> previews Celtic Connections<\/strong> and latest releases<\/strong>. 
 
The show launches at 1900 GMT on theFolk on Foot YouTube channel <\/a> and podcast or at www.folkonfoot.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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4 MUSIC IN PORTSMOUTH 2026<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

pointing in the direction of a great web site<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

by Iain & Margaret<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Music in Portsmouth<\/strong> is kept fully up to date with all the details you will need to find out about performers and venues. You can see what each group is planning to perform and in which venue. You can switch to the list of venues and see which groups are appearing in each of them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By subscribing to the newsletter<\/strong>, you will receive a monthly list of the forthcoming concerts in the area. This is also sent to media contacts and other organisations such as libraries, civic offices and tourist information offices each month.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Use the menu along the top of web site screen to view the member groups and venues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A noticeboard<\/strong><\/a> <\/strong>covers news about performers and performances, previews and reviews.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Music In Portsmouth<\/strong> posts to Facebook<\/strong><\/a>, Instagram<\/a><\/strong> and (occasionally) X<\/strong><\/a> to let you know when there\u2019s an update on the Noticeboard, with an easy hashtag. being used<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Music In Portsmouth<\/strong> invites  any  musical group interested in joining them to join in and tsake advantage of the benefits of inclusion and publicity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can read a profile of Music in Portsmouth<\/strong><\/a> (PDF).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you have any questions or feedback,  you can also tweet to @MusicPortsmouth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This excellent site is sponsored by <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ackerman Music<\/a><\/strong>, Venn Pianos<\/a><\/strong> and Gerontius<\/a><\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

(choirs, concerts and choral music resources)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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5 A NIGHT AT THE THEATRE UK<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

BIRMINGHAM HIPPODROME THEATRE <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Don Quixote preview<\/strong> shared by<\/strong> Norman Warwick<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Carlos Acosta\u2019s sparkling new 21st-century production of this 19th-century masterpiece<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thu 12 Feb \u2013 Sat 21 Feb<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tickets from \u00a325<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Birmingham Royal Ballet\u2019s Director Carlos Acosta promises entertainment for all ages when he brings an explosion of Spanish sunshine, spectacular dance and vivacious comedy to stages across England.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this production created especially for Birmingham Royal Ballet, Don Quixote introduces us to Cervantes\u2019 famous knight himself, lovers Kitri and Basilio, and a host of supporting characters. As the Don sets out on a quest to track down his true love, with his loyal friend and servant Sancho Panza at his side, he finds himself embroiled in an unlikely adventure of love and dreams.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

See the first UK revival of Acosta\u2019s sparkling 21st-century production of this 19th-century masterpiece.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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MANCHESTER ROYAL EXCHANGE THEATRE<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whilst Don Quixote is riding through Birmingham, Meanwhile, Manchester\u00b4s Royal Exchange Theatre will be launching its themed 2026 season. Under a given collective title of features productions like Jim Cartwright’s Road<\/em>, No\u00ebl Coward’s Private Lives<\/em>, a world premiere of Even These Things<\/em>, musical Fun Home<\/em>, Shakespeare’s King Lear<\/em> with David Threlfall, and Stephen Sondheim’s A Little Night Music<\/em>, running from February 2026 into early 2027, celebrating their 50th anniversary with immersive shows in their unique in-the-round space that is The Royal Exchange.. <\/em><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Key Productions in 2026:<\/p>\n\n\n\n