Bellowhead

John Spiers and Jon Boden were already widely acclaimed as one of the UK's most exciting and visionary folk acts when, supposedly stuck in a traffic jam on the M25, they discussed ways of creating a bigger sound to appeal to festival audiences. Their solution was to form a big band with full-blooded horn section, strings and the innovative Pete Flood on percussion. Initially playing expanded versions of the Spiers And Boden song book, the extraordinary 11-piece Bellowhead were an instant hit with British folk audiences who'd never seen anything quite like it before. Colourful and flamboyant, they developed a powerful stage act which quickly appealed to audiences beyond the folk world, resulting in many memorable headlining performances and successful albums Burlesque (2006), Matachin (2008), Hedonism (2010) and Broadside (2012); the latter two produced by John Leckie and breaking into the UK album charts. With a strong jazz background among the brass section and classical influences among the string players, the band's music crosses many musical genres while adhering almost exclusively to traditional folk material, priding themselves on ambitious and unusual arrangements. They even flirted with the pop charts with the singles New York Gals, 10,000 Miles Away and Roll The Woodpile Down. Despite their touring schedule, all the members continue to pursue individual activities. Spiers And Boden remain a popular duo, Sam Sweeney works with numerous other bands, Paul Sartin is one half of Belshazzar's Feast, Benji Kirkpatrick has toured with Seth Lakeman, Rachael McShane has made a solo album and Jon Boden fronts Remnant Kings.