Making a much-anticipated return to the Wesley Centre, Maltby on Friday 4th October are the much beloved British singer-songwriters Chris While and Julie Matthews – one of the best loved and most prolific female duos to come out of this country.
With 30 years of unrivalled musical partnership and gathering numerous nominations, awards and critical acclaim along the way, they have played more than 2,600 gigs, appeared on over 100 albums, written hundreds of original songs and reached millions of people around the world. They are also part of female super group Daphne’s Flight (Helen Watson, Melanie Harrold and Miranda Sykes) and Christmas band St Agnes Fountain with Fairport’s Chris Leslie.
Now, 30 years after their debut, they sound as fresh and vital as ever. 2024 will see the release of their 12th studio album as well as several festival appearances throughout the summer, culminating in an extensive celebratory tour in October.
Chris (vocals, guitar, banjo, dulcimer, bodhran and percussion) and Julie (vocals, piano, guitar, mandolin and bouzouki) are stunning singers, songwriters, musicians and performers whose energy and commitment to their craft and their audience is boundless. They are two of the best and most hardworking musicians on the world folk roots scene; both are highly regarded producers and they record everything that they are involved in at their own studio in a small Pennine town far from the London-centric music industry. They truly are inspirational women.
Though internationally acclaimed, they continue to be a leading force on the UK’s acoustic / roots arts circuit. Their songs cover life as they see it, from the industrial waste lands of the north to injustice and freedom, matters of the heart and everything in between. Their songs are covered by many revered singers the world over, but it is While and Matthews’ musical partnership and obvious joy of performing together that really brings their songs to life.
Chris and Julie have been nominated ten times in the BBC Radio 2 Folk music awards in the Best Song, Best Duo, Best Live Act categories and winning Best Duo in 2009, but it is their longstanding and devoted fans that they care about most.
Tickets cost £16.00 and are available from the Wesley Centre reception on 01709 811118 or online at www.wegottickets.com.