Coming up at the Cheese & Grain

THE Cheese & Grain have a variety of acts coming up over the next couple of weeks.

On Saturday 25th November, Jon Boden & the Remnant Kings take to the stage. Ex-Bellowhead front man, Jon Boden, has become the stand out performer of his generation of traditional folk artists but one whose repertoire extend far beyond the boundaries of the genre. He found worldwide fame as lead singer and founder member of big band folk revolutionaries, Bellowhead.

In their 12 years they achieved a level of critic and commercial success unmatched by any other group working in English traditional music over the last three decades. Jon has been working with his own band the Remnant Kings since 2009, however due to the incessant workload of Bellowhead, the band have rarely been seen live.

The 11-piece current line up also includes fellow Bellowhead stalwarts, Sam Sweeney and Paul Sartin. He is the most celebrated artist in the history of the Radio 2 Folk Awards being the recipient of an incredible 11 awards. He has found fame as a highly rated composer/arranger with credits for TV, theatre​ and film work, with his output growing increasingly diverse, encompassing pop, dance, classical and choral compositions.  Advance tickets £20/£23 doors.

On Sunday 26th November, An Evening with Michael Portillo comes to the Cheese & Grain. One of the most popular and charismatic media figures in the country, Michael Portillo left politics in the late 90s after being a government minister for 11 years, including three positions in the Cabinet, Secretary of State for Defence, Employment, and Chief Secretary to the Treasury.

After losing his seat at the 1997 election, he began developing a career in the media, before returning to the commons in 2000, becoming Shadow Chancellor and being highly touted as the next Prime Minister.

Since leaving politics he has devoted his time to writing and broadcasting. A regular on BBC1’s sardonic political “This Week” with Andrew Neil and Radio 4’s “The Moral Maze”, he has made radio and TV documentaries on a wide range of subjects, including the ever popular ” Great British Railway Journeys.” The programme has now run into eight series in Europe and America.

He is chairman of numerous arts and charitable organisations and is a regular columnist for The Sunday Times and the New Statesman. Michael speaks frankly, openly and very candidly about his colourful life in and out of politics, followed by a lively question and answer session, before meeting the audience afterwards. Michael’s availability for these events are very limited due to his busy filming schedule, so don’t miss this opportunity to meet one of the most fascinating public figures of our times.

Advance tickets £17.50/£20 doors.

On Saturday 9th December Steeleye Span bring their brand of roots music to the stage.

Formed in the summer of 1969, Steeleye Span quickly became the most influential name in British roots music with their pioneering folk-rock sounds, changing the face of traditional music for ever.

Over the decades, the band has seen many changes of personnel, but has always featured great musicians with the likes of Ashley Hutchings, Bob Johnson, Dave Mattacks, Gay and Terry Woods, John Kirkpatrick, Martin Carthy, Nigel Pegrum, Pete Zorn, Peter Knight, Tim Hart etc., all passing through the ranks.

The current line-up sees the inimitable Maddy Prior on vocals, being a founder member along with Ashley Hutchings and now back in the fold, after leaving to pursue a solo career and being the unmistakeable voice of their huge hits “All Around My Hat” and “Gaudete.” Bassist Rick Kemp has been a mainstay since 1972, after being acclaimed for his work with Michael Chapman and turning down an offer to join King Crimson. Dublin-born drummer Liam Genockey joined the band in 1989 after performing alongside the likes of John Martyn, Gillan and Kevin Ayers. Lead guitarist Julian Littman has performed with such luminaries as Gerry Rafferty, Charlie Dore, Dexy’s Midnight Runners, Sister Sledge and Philip Bailey. Violinist Jessie May Smart is a classically-trained musician who has played all over the world, touring with Katie Melua and appearing on TV shows such as X Factor, Strictly Come Dancing and Royal Variety Performance. Guitarist Andrew “Spud” Sinclair became the newest member of the band, joining in 2015 after collaborations with Rick Kemp and playing with various bands and teaching “Kids how to rock!”

Steeleye Span have recorded 31 albums working with Ian Anderson and Mike Batt along the way and even featuring recordings with David Bowie on saxophone and Peter Sellers on ukulele! Advance tickets £22.50/£26 doors.