Following sold-out shows with Dave Pegg of Fairport Convention and Countdown legend Richard Digance, Anthony John Clarke returns to the Music Room on Saturday 13th September with another special guest: Colum Sands.
And to mark the first show of the new season Liverpool Acoustic supporters can enjoy 20% off the price of any ticket using the code AJC20 at checkout.
Described by Fairport Convention as a ‘national treasure’, Anthony John Clarke is a beloved figure in the UK folk music scene, known for his poignant songwriting and razor-sharp wit. Originally from Belfast, Clarke has spent over three decades captivating audiences with songs like The Broken Years and The Only Life Gloria Knows. His performances blend heartfelt storytelling with humorous reflections on everyday life—from karaoke nights and camping mishaps to nuns and grandchildren.
Whether he’s making you laugh or stirring deep emotion, Clarke’s shows are a masterclass in musical charm and lyrical brilliance. Don’t miss the chance to experience one of the most entertaining and endearing acts on the circuit.
As a member of the renowned Sands Family from County Down, Colum Sands has performed in over thirty countries. His songs, often filled with humour and keen observations of life, have earned international appeal. A skilled broadcaster, Sands has presented BBC Radio Ulster’s Folk Club, BBC Radio 2 programmes, and RTÉ’s Rootin’ About.
Since releasing his first album in 1981, Sands has become a respected songwriter, with his songs covered by artists like Billy Connolly and Maddy Prior. With ten albums to his name, he continues to build a reputation for powerful songs that connect people and generations.
This is the only 2025 performance featuring Clarke and Sands together – an evening of great music and laughter from two artists who are perfectly in tune with their material, their audience, and each other.
For over three decades, legendary musician Afel Bocoum has been a guardian of Mali’s Niger River musical soul. A musical companion to Mali’s late great desert blues pioneer Ali Farka Touré, he launched a solo career with debut album in 1999, Alkibar (The Messenger), and gained international recognition through collaborations with Damon Albarn, including 2002’s Mali Music.Now, as one of the Sahel’s most beloved artists and ambassador for endangered instruments like the njurkel lute and njarka fiddle, Bocoum is set to release singles from his new album Harber in October 2025, accompanied by a 13-date UK tour in January 2026.
Completely informal opportunity to come along for a tune. The first seisiún of two in the Festival; the other takes place the following Fri (24 Oct 2025).
Bring an instrument, your voice and a will to play along. There’ll be Festival friends to help bring the gang together, whilst a fully stocked bar — in one of the most historic and quirkiest pubs in Liverpool — eases you towards the dawn. This event gets busy quickly and sometimes it’s ‘standing room only’, so be prepared to ‘hotch up’ and swap places so everyone can get a piece of the action. This is a night that almost guarantees high kicks ‘til dawn.
Completely informal opportunity to come along for a tune. The second seisiún of two in the Festival; the other takes place Fri 17 Oct 2025.
Bring an instrument, your voice and a will to play along. There’ll be Festival friends to help bring the gang together, whilst a fully stocked bar — in one of the most historic and quirkiest pubs in Liverpool — eases you towards the dawn. This event gets busy quickly and sometimes it’s ‘standing room only’, so be prepared to ‘hotch up’ and swap places so everyone can get a piece of the action. This is a night that almost guarantees high kicks ‘til dawn.
Forged in Scotland and Ireland’s traditional music scene, but drawing on the music of the Balkans and North America, Dallahan take their listeners on a journey. Traversing styles and countries of the world in a dazzling live show, they create their own unique brand of World-Folk delivered with stunning virtuosity.
The lineup consists of Jack Badcock on guitar and vocals, Ciaran Ryan on banjo, mandolin and fiddle, Andrew Waite on accordion and Benedict Morris on fiddle and they have appeared at some of the world’s most prestigious international folk music events such as Milwaukee Irish Fest (USA), Celtic Connections (SCO), Tonder Festival (DK), Festival Dranouter (BE), Woodford Folk Festival (AUS) among countless others. To date, they have brought their live show to 25 countries, earned three nominations for Folk Band of The Year in 2016, 2019, 2022 and 2023 and enjoyed collaborations such as with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, songwriting legend Dougie MacLean and Nepal’s folk exponents Kutumba.
Approaching a decade together as a band, Dallahan have become a veteran touring outfit and with each album they continue to evolve their sound – which they call their own brand of World-Folk – as is evident on their fourth studio album, Speak of the Devil.
Irish people have made homes all over the world and Liverpool is no exception, being known as East Dublin, East Belfast and the 33rd county! Taking this year’s theme of ‘arrivals’, the George Ferguson Irish Dance School and Merseyside’s Melody Makers have collaborated to produce a welcoming programme, celebrating what it is to arrive. Whether home is new or old, arriving there can be full of anticipation, expectation and nostalgia. We’ll also welcome new guests to the stage.
This engaging two-hour programme features over 50 musicians and dancers from across Merseyside. The performance takes place in one of Liverpool’s most emerald spaces: the ever-magnificent Sefton Park Palm House.
Liverpool Irish Festival is proud to present this thematic collaboration, building an ongoing series of bespoke programmes, and becoming a firm fixture of the Festival. Grab your tickets whilst you can.
The Druids Irish Folk Band are back with another master show, featuring captivating new blends of traditional Irish folk music and storytelling. This type of performance highlights the band’s rich musical heritage, weaving together timeless Irish ballad songs with the powerful narratives that have been passed down through generations.
The combination of music and stories would give audiences a deep dive into Ireland’s cultural history, offering a mix of lively jigs, heartfelt ballads and tales that reflect the country’s folklore, struggles, and triumphs. Irish folk bands often use this format to connect with their audiences on a more emotional level, while also providing an immersive, entertaining experience.
Duo, me + deboe, are professional musicians touring original work that blends raw texture with atmospheric depth. Known for bold, cinematic compositions, their sound has become a defining element in their collaboration with Tmesis Theatre, a company renowned for its emotionally driven and visually rich physical theatre. This showcase draws from Sealskin and other productions, as well as a broader body of work developed throughout their careers.
Part of Hope Street Blend- One Street of Sound on 26th – 28th September. A free festival weekend celebrating music & Hope Street in one unique blend. For more information follow @HopeStOfficial
Skinny Living are a three-piece English indie-soul band from Wakefield, West Yorkshire. The band is made up of guitarist Will Booth, Belfast-born vocalist Ryan Johnston and guitarist Danny Hepworth.
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