7.30, Friday 18th July
The Heathen Kings, Holly Taymar,
Stiofán Ó Treabhair
Another memorable evening of great live music is promised with 3 contrasting performances - all are first timers.
The Heathen Kings
The Heathen Kings are a folk trio from Yorkshire, fusing guitar and bouzouki with powerful bass, crowned with fearless three part vocals. Performing traditional, self-penned and borrowed folk music from the British Isles and a few from further afield. Their sound shifts from calm, tender duets to full, high energy, roaring pieces...
Holly Taymar
Holly Taymar is a passionate singer-songwriter and session writer-performer hailing from York. With a deep love for ambient indie music, Holly crafts heartfelt melodies and introspective lyrics that resonate deeply with her audience.
A seasoned professional, over the years she has honed her craft, performing at numerous venues and collaborating with talented musicians across various genres. As a session writer-performer, she brings a unique and emotive touch to each track, enhancing the musical vision of countless projects with her ear for captivating melodies and harmonic arrangements. Holly’s music is her way of storytelling, aiming to create songs that leave a lasting impression on all who listen.
“Measured and beautiful” Tom Robinson, BBC 6Music
YouTube Holly talking about performing Eva Cassidy
Raised on the outskirts of Glasgow with roots in Ireland, Stiofán Ó Treabhair - “Stefan O’Trower” - is a fusion vocalist, guitarist and bouzoukist reinterpreting Celtic folk traditions.
Having studied with fingerstyle master Tony McManus in recent years, his fluid guitar arrangements are imbued with dynamics & flourishes drawn from the wells of Paul Brady, Dick Gaughan and Dougie MacLean. The honesty and intimacy of his distinctive tenor has drawn comparisons to shades of Jeff Buckley and Mike Scott. His indebtedness to Irish bouzouki pioneers Alec Finn and Andy Irvine is unmistakable.
Emerging from the fertile Yorkshire folk scene that has launched the careers of Chris Brain, Owen Spafford and Katie Spencer, his debut single with acclaimed producers & engineers Tom Orrell and Tim Hay - an arrangement of the W. B. Yeats ballad ‘The Song of Wandering Aengus’ - will be released in June 2025.
“An absolute guitar wizard” Tradfolk
7:30, 18th July 2025
Wetherby Sports Association, Lodge Lane, Wetherby, LS22 5FN