London Folk Magazine and News

Gigspanner Spring Tour

Gigspanner 2019 UK Spring Tour

"Peter Knight´s Gigspanner were amazing... I can only think of a handful of folk musicians world-wide that have the kind of relationship with their instrument that Peter Knight has"

Martin Hayes, Enda Scahill, Mike McGoldrick, John McCusker, Martin Simpson.

“Many people as they trickled out into the night said that this was one of the best gigs they´d ever been to. I´d agree with that. If you get a quarter of a chance to see them, go - there were people there last night who had travelled many miles to be there. It was well worth every mile"

Mike Harding: Broadcaster/Musician/Writer

In the wake of his departure from Steeleye Span, multi award winning fiddle player Peter Knight has turned his full attention to his trio Gigspanner, and in the process established their reputation as one of the most genuinely ground-breaking forces on the British folk scene, inspiring Maverick magazine to write "Gigspanner are making some of the most beautiful music the genre has to offer" 5*****

Described by Folk Radio UK as one of the “most quietly brilliant sets of musicians in the folk world and beyond”, they take self-penned material along with music rooted in the British Isles and with the flick of a bow, a finely chosen chord or slip of a beat, produce richly atmospheric arrangements “with notes seemingly plucked from the stars and rhythms from the equator” (Spiral Earth).

2019 marks the 10th Anniversary of their debut tour and album release, Lipreading the Poet, which was chosen by The Wire as one of the 15 best ‘Global Albums’ of 2009, recognising that the trio’s creative ambitions extended beyond presenting traditional music within a familiar framework.

Their most recent release, ‘The Wife of Urban Law’ received several ‘Best Of’ end of year accolades, including making it on to Mojo’s ‘The 10 Best Folk Albums’ list.

Sir Terry Pratchett with typical lyricism, also wrote - "Peter Knight can spin the world on his Bow, and what an intriguing and inspirational world it is. Peter, Roger Flack (Guitar) and Sacha Trochet (Hand Percussion) are skilled practitioners who conjure and craft aural images as well as imaginative soundscapes to present a program of music that is wholly their own."

Press Quotes…

"Gigspanner has taken traditional tunes as a starting point and rearranged, orchestrated and improvised around them to create fascinating new works.
Their increasingly impressive sound is like no other" Folk Radio UK

"Gigspanner are a band who get better with every outing, studio or live, and this album cements their standing as one of the most interesting, vital and exciting outfits on the scene. Outstanding" 5***** Maverick Magazine

"Gigspanner are reshaping tradition in fascinating ways" fRoots Magazine

“A glorious musical tour de force...simply exquisite” 4**** Spiral Earth

“Gigspanner work together in musical genius" EFDSS Magazine

"Magnificent....a feast of imaginative music" 5***** The Telegraph

"Gigspanner have long had a knack of creating innovative music that puts them ahead of their field" Acoustic Magazine

2019 Spring Tour Dates

Saturday 13th April

The Town Hall Bakewell at 7.30pm, 1 The Square, Bakewell, DE45 1BT

Tuesday 16th April

The Witham Barnard Castle at 7.30pm, 3 Horse Market, Barnard Castle, DL12 8LY

Thursday 18th April

Cast Theatre Doncaster at 7.45pm, Cast, Waterdale, Doncaster, DN1 3BU