Joe Broughton’s Conservatoire Folk Ensemble have revealed the artwork for their sixth album, Twenty-Five.
Released on Saturday 27 May 2023, the Twenty-Five was recorded live last year at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire as part of the ensemble’s 25th anniversary reunion concert celebrations – an event which saw in the region of 120 musicians performing on stage.
The ensemble will be officially launching the release at the Conservatoire on the night of release.
Discussing the new album, Joe adds: “Twenty-Five presents a vivid snapshot of the ensemble, capturing the 2022 line-up at their exciting peak. But the recording also acknowledges the rich heritage of the band, as well as demonstrating how the ensemble never sits still: it’s forever moving forward, building on the past, always reflecting the shifting diversity and interests of the skilled musicians on stage.”
The performance will be followed by the 10th edition of their annual one-day mini-festival, Power Folk, which takes place in Digbeth on 11 June 2023, and includes jam sessions, DJ sets and performances from the band and invited musical guests.
Formed in 1997 by fiddle player and arranger Joe Broughton (The Urban Folk Quartet, The Albion Band, Joss Stone), Birmingham’s Conservatoire Folk Ensemble are billed as the UK’s biggest folk big band.
With a sifting membership of in the region of 50-70 members (or more), over the years they’ve played Royal Albert Hall, London, and such festivals as Kendal Calling, Green Man, Secret Garden Party and Shambala.
- Joe Broughton’s Conservatoire Folk Ensemble play Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, 200 Jennens Road, Birmingham B4 7XR on Saturday 27 May 2023. Tickets: folkensemble.co.uk
- Power Folk 10 takes place on Sunday 11 June 2023 at The Spotted Dog, 104 Warwick St, Digbeth, Birmingham B12 0NH. Tickets: www.powerfolk.co.uk
Joe Broughton’s Conservatoire Folk Ensemble:
Twenty Five
(SAECD21)
Tracklisting:
1. The Victor’s Return
2. Frank’s Reel / Emma’s Reel / Nothing to Declare
3. Dawn Til Dusk
4. The Rights of Man
5. Arthur McBride
6. Kenny
7. Fiddle Castro’s Reunion In Birmingham
CD available from 27 May 2023; streaming Autumn 2023.
