Martin Harley Band

The Martin Harley Band are the UK’s premier blues and roots-influenced acoustic combo.
Fronted by the inimitable singer and guitarist Martin Harley (also an accomplished solo performer), and based around his sublime songwriting, the MHB (as their fans know them) truly are a band like no other.
With a strong DIY ethic and a love of unusual instrumentation, from Martin’s distinctive lap-slide guitar to balalaikas, double bass and tiny cocktail drumkits, and bolstered by delectable three-part harmonies, the band have crafted a unique, timeless sound that has seen them develop a sizeable following both in the UK and abroad.

The MHB have garnered a reputation as one of the hardest-working bands around, with an almost unbroken program of gigs, tours and festival appearances at home and overseas, so you can probably expect to catch one of their legendarily energetic live shows at a venue near you.
Despite their hectic schedule, however, they have still found time to record two excellent albums, with their latest offering, ‘Drumrolls For Somersaults’, marking an even more impressive progression of their British Americana sound.

plus special guest:

MARC O’REILLY

‘My Friend Marx’ is the debut album from Irish alt-roots artist Marc O’Reilly.
Its release has been greeted with much acclaim in his native Ireland and received extensive national media, radio and TV exposure with Marc been strongly tipped to follow artists like James Vincent McMorrow and Villagers as Irelands international breakthrough artist of 2012.

Marc’s album ranges from US and UK inspired folk ‘n’ blues to African percussive rhythms. His roots may lie in Ireland and France, but Marc’s sound rests somewhere between old American folk-blues and The Black Keys – Andy McKee and Tom Waits. Marc is gaining a reputation as a spellbinding live performer with his husky vocals complimented by scintillating guitar playing.

2012 kicked of with UK dates in February followed by a trip to Toronto in March for Canadian Music Week where Marc was acclaimed by critics as one of the buzz artists of the festival. Summer will see Festival appearances around Europe following which the album will receive a UK/Germany/Austria/Switzerland release in August accompanied by a full tour.

“Sensational, Irish roots music has a new star” – Roots & Fusion UK • • • “A remarkable debut” – Hot Press
“A most assured and confident set of tunes” – **** R2 UK • • • “A classy debut” – Dan Hegarty, 2FM
“A scintillating album” – Folkwords UK • • • “Little pieces of magic” – Fatea Sessions UK
“Quiet remarkable and highly recommended” – Strutterzine NL • • • “A wonderful album” – Irish Times

The Martin Harley Band are the UK’s premier blues and roots-influenced acoustic combo.
Fronted by the inimitable singer and guitarist Martin Harley (also an accomplished solo performer), and based around his sublime songwriting, the MHB (as their fans know them) truly are a band like no other.
With a strong DIY ethic and a love of unusual instrumentation, from Martin’s distinctive lap-slide guitar to balalaikas, double bass and tiny cocktail drumkits, and bolstered by delectable three-part harmonies, the band have crafted a unique, timeless sound that has seen them develop a sizeable following both in the UK and abroad.

The MHB have garnered a reputation as one of the hardest-working bands around, with an almost unbroken program of gigs, tours and festival appearances at home and overseas, so you can probably expect to catch one of their legendarily energetic live shows at a venue near you.
Despite their hectic schedule, however, they have still found time to record two excellent albums, with their latest offering, ‘Drumrolls For Somersaults’, marking an even more impressive progression of their British Americana sound.

plus support:

ALBERT JONES