Bellowhead are a eleven-piece contemporary folk band from England that use many instruments such as; Fiddles, a Tambourine, a Melodeon, Concertina, Guitar, Bouzouki, Mandolin, Banjo, Cello, Oboe, Bagpipes, Helicon, Trombone, Saxophones, Bass Clarinet and other percussion.

The band performed 5 breath-taking songs in this intimate room full of people having a fantastic time. Bellowhead performed songs from various albums. There was one song they performed that made everyone join in, Whiskey is the Life of Man -a track from their second album– it starts off  as a mellow song but the chorus kicks in and is a massive surprise, the whole band joins in, the sound was unbelievable so loud but full of sheer joy.

Kurt Vile is Bellowhead’s major influence to their music, the whole band loves how his passion comes across in his music; they would love to be able to put that into English folk music today. And I feel that they have managed to get it across, as well as sounding like Kurt Vile I think they have a slight sound of The Libertines and David Bowie meets country, now this may sound odd but it really works.

At the end of the set I pulled them aside to ask them a few questions.

First off well done that was amazing.

“Thank you very much”.

Just wanted to ask you a few questions, who are your musical influences?

“My musical influences are, well the whole bands are, well that’s actually quite a long list but mostly I think it would be Kurt Vile we really enjoy his passion and want to put that into our music”.

How long have you been doing this?

“Nine years, but in our first year it was very slow, we’ve progressed into lots of things…”

Have you always wanted to do folk music or was that an afterthought?

“Well no, actually yes. Then again how we met, both me (Jon) and John met at university where as Paul started when he was 12 so it just sort of works. Benji grew up with it so yeah…”

And finally I thought I would try and get to know the band and see what they like so I asked;

Olives Green or Black?

“(John) Green! (Jon) well I’m more of a Black olive lover myself… Well this is the band in a nutshell”.

Check out their No.1 indie-chart album ‘Broadside’ and jig along to them Lionel Richie style… All night long.

Lucy Hutchon.