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Bellowhead is an English contemporary folk band, active from 2004 to 2016, reforming in 2020. The eleven-piece act played traditional dance tunes, folk songs and shanties, with arrangements drawing inspiration from a wide range of musical styles and influences. The band included percussion and a four-piece brass section. Bellowhead's bandmembers played more than 20 instruments among them, whilst all performers provided vocals. Their third album, ''Hedonism'' (2010), is the highest selling independently released folk album of all time, having sold over 60,000 copies and earning the band a silver disk. The band parted after their final gig at Oxford Town Hall in May 2016. In 2020, the band reformed for a reunion concert and, as of 2022, are undertaking a reunion tour, visiting Portsmouth, Oxford, Leicester, Cambridge, London, Brighton, Southend-on-Sea, Ipswich, Bath, Plymouth, Cardiff, Birmingham, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Nottingham, Harrogate, Liverpool, Sheffield and Manchester.


History


Early years and ''Burlesque'': 2004–2007

The idea for the band came to Spiers and Boden while the duo were in a traffic jam on tour. The longer they sat in traffic, the more friends they thought to invite to join. This led to the formation of a ten-piece band, with Benji Kirkpatrick, Rachael McShane, Paul Sartin, Pete Flood, Brendan Kelly, Justin Thurgur, Andy Mellon and
Giles Lewin Giles Lewin is a British violinist and bagpiper. Currently a member of The Carnival Band, he was also a founding member of the folk band, Bellowhead. Biography He was born in Essex in 1960 or slightly earlier. At age nine, he sang the femal ...
completing the initial line-up. Before they had time to rehearse, the fledgling band were invited to play the first Oxford Folk Festival in April 2004, earning critical approval. In 2004, the band independently released a five-track EP, publicised as "English World Music", called ''
E.P.Onymous ''E.P.Onymous'' is the debut EP by Bellowhead. Track listing Personnel *Jon Boden – vocals, fiddle, bagpipes *John Spiers – melodeon, vocals *Benji Kirkpatrick – mandolin, bouzouki, guitar, banjo *Andy Mellon – ...
'', which generated positive reviews. In 2006 Gideon Juckes joined the band, primarily playing the tuba, and they released their first full-length album, ''
Burlesque A burlesque is a literary, dramatic or musical work intended to cause laughter by caricaturing the manner or spirit of serious works, or by ludicrous treatment of their subjects.
'', featuring material from the
Napoleonic Wars The Napoleonic Wars (1803–1815) were a series of major global conflicts pitting the French Empire and its allies, led by Napoleon I, against a fluctuating array of European states formed into various coalitions. It produced a period of Fren ...
, the American minstrel movement and sea-shanties from Brazil. Towards the end of 2007 they became Artists in Residence at the
Southbank Centre Southbank Centre is a complex of artistic venues in London, England, on the South Bank of the River Thames (between Hungerford Bridge and Waterloo Bridge). It comprises three main performance venues (the Royal Festival Hall including the Nati ...
, making their inaugural appearance with a Christmas Revels event.


''Matachin'': 2008–2009

In 2008 Bellowhead released their second album ''Matachin'', and a live performance at
the Proms The BBC Proms or Proms, formally named the Henry Wood Promenade Concerts Presented by the BBC, is an eight-week summer season of daily orchestral classical music concerts and other events held annually, predominantly in the Royal Albert H ...
followed, which was broadcast live on
BBC Four BBC Four is a British free-to-air public broadcast television channel owned and operated by the BBC. It was launched on 2 March 2002
and
BBC Radio 3 BBC Radio 3 is a British national radio station owned and operated by the BBC. It replaced the BBC Third Programme in 1967 and broadcasts classical music and opera, with jazz, world music, drama, culture and the arts also featuring. The st ...
. Sam Sweeney joined the band on fiddles and bagpipes following the departure of
Giles Lewin Giles Lewin is a British violinist and bagpiper. Currently a member of The Carnival Band, he was also a founding member of the folk band, Bellowhead. Biography He was born in Essex in 1960 or slightly earlier. At age nine, he sang the femal ...
. The following year in August the band were approached about recording music for a 20th anniversary episode of ''
The Simpsons ''The Simpsons'' is an American animated sitcom created by Matt Groening for the Fox Broadcasting Company. The series is a satirical depiction of American life, epitomized by the Simpson family, which consists of Homer Simpson, Homer, Marge ...
''.


''Hedonism'': 2010–2011

In 2010, Ed Neuhauser replaced Gideon Juckes on helicon and sousaphone. In October 2010, Bellowhead released their third studio album, ''
Hedonism Hedonism refers to a family of theories, all of which have in common that pleasure plays a central role in them. ''Psychological'' or ''motivational hedonism'' claims that human behavior is determined by desires to increase pleasure and to decre ...
'', which had been recorded in Abbey Road Studios. The album was produced by John Leckie. In honour of the new album, the band developed a new ale also named "Hedonism", with several band members being involved in the brewing process. Broadcast from April 2011, '' The Archers'' spin-off '' Ambridge Extra'' featured a revised version of Archers theme tune " Barwick Green", arranged and performed by Bellowhead. In May 2011, at the 02 Academy in Bournemouth, the band recorded a DVD, Hedonism Live, which was released in late November.


''Broadside'': 2012–2013

The band recorded a new album, '' Broadside'', in March 2012 at Rockfield Studios with John Leckie which was released mid-October 2012. The album generated generally positive reviews and went straight to number 16 in the UK official album charts and number 1 in the UK independent album charts. In early 2012 the band undertook a European tour and in November 2012 toured the UK. In early 2013 the band toured the UK, the Netherlands and Belgium. In October 2013 they recorded a jingle for the flagship
BBC Radio 2 BBC Radio 2 is a British national radio station owned and operated by the BBC. It is the most popular station in the United Kingdom with over 15 million weekly listeners. Since launching in 1967, the station broadcasts a wide range of content ...
folk music show ''The Folk Show with Mark Radcliffe''. During 2013 they recorded a double A-sided single, ''Christmas Bells / Jingle Bells'' which was released on 1 December in digital-only format.


Tenth anniversary, ''Revival'' and separation: 2014–2016

In 2014 the band celebrated ten years performing together with two 'Bel10whead' performances in April: Bridgewater Hall and the
Royal Albert Hall The Royal Albert Hall is a concert hall on the northern edge of South Kensington, London. One of the UK's most treasured and distinctive buildings, it is held in trust for the nation and managed by a registered charity which receives no govern ...
. A new studio album, '' Revival'', followed, released on 30 June 2014 by
Island Records Island Records is a multinational record label owned by Universal Music Group. It was founded in 1959 by Chris Blackwell, Graeme Goodall, and Leslie Kong in Jamaica, and was eventually sold to PolyGram in 1989. Island and A&M Records, an ...
. Bellowhead headlined the concert in July 2015 to celebrate the opening of the refurbished Cardigan Castle. The band announced their intention to go their separate ways following a decision by Jon Boden to step down as frontman. Bellowhead played their final gig at Oxford Town Hall, also the venue for their first concert twelve years earlier, on 1 May 2016. The band announced a one-off reunion concert to be streamed on the 5th December 2020, to celebrate the 10th anniversary of ''
Hedonism Hedonism refers to a family of theories, all of which have in common that pleasure plays a central role in them. ''Psychological'' or ''motivational hedonism'' claims that human behavior is determined by desires to increase pleasure and to decre ...
''. They then followed this up with a nationwide tour in November 2022. Prior to the tour beginning, Paul Sartin died suddenly of a heart attack on 14 September 2022 at the age of 51. However, the tour was continued despite his death, and in some shows they sang specifically in memory of Sartin. One audience member who went to the Cambridge show in the Corn Exchange remembers that 'They had a song with Paul Sartin's voice, and the rest of the band played behind it. It was a really tear-jerking moment. I remember being so impressed at the band, for going on with the tour after a friend had died.'


Band members

* Jon Boden – lead vocals, fiddle,
tambourine The tambourine is a musical instrument in the percussion family consisting of a frame, often of wood or plastic, with pairs of small metal jingles, called " zills". Classically the term tambourine denotes an instrument with a drumhead, thou ...
, shaky egg, thunder tube,
kazoo The kazoo is an American musical instrument that adds a "buzzing" timbral quality to a player's voice when the player vocalizes into it. It is a type of '' mirliton'' (which itself is a membranophone), one of a class of instruments which modif ...
,
tin whistle The tin whistle, also called the penny whistle, is a simple six-holed woodwind instrument. It is a type of fipple flute, putting it in the same class as the recorder, Native American flute, and other woodwind instruments that meet such criteri ...
* John Spiersmelodeons, Anglo concertina, Claviola,
kazoo The kazoo is an American musical instrument that adds a "buzzing" timbral quality to a player's voice when the player vocalizes into it. It is a type of '' mirliton'' (which itself is a membranophone), one of a class of instruments which modif ...
, vocals,
tambourine The tambourine is a musical instrument in the percussion family consisting of a frame, often of wood or plastic, with pairs of small metal jingles, called " zills". Classically the term tambourine denotes an instrument with a drumhead, thou ...
* Benji Kirkpatrick
guitar The guitar is a fretted musical instrument that typically has six strings. It is usually held flat against the player's body and played by strumming or plucking the strings with the dominant hand, while simultaneously pressing selected string ...
,
bouzouki The bouzouki (, also ; el, μπουζούκι ; alt. pl. ''bouzoukia'', from Greek ), also spelled buzuki or buzuci, is a musical instrument popular in Greece. It is a member of the long-necked lute family, with a round body with a flat top and ...
,
mandolin A mandolin ( it, mandolino ; literally "small mandola") is a stringed musical instrument in the lute family and is generally plucked with a pick. It most commonly has four courses of doubled strings tuned in unison, thus giving a total of 8 ...
, tenor banjo, vocals,
kazoo The kazoo is an American musical instrument that adds a "buzzing" timbral quality to a player's voice when the player vocalizes into it. It is a type of '' mirliton'' (which itself is a membranophone), one of a class of instruments which modif ...
*Rachael McShane –
cello The cello ( ; plural ''celli'' or ''cellos'') or violoncello ( ; ) is a Bow (music), bowed (sometimes pizzicato, plucked and occasionally col legno, hit) string instrument of the violin family. Its four strings are usually intonation (music), t ...
, fiddle,
kazoo The kazoo is an American musical instrument that adds a "buzzing" timbral quality to a player's voice when the player vocalizes into it. It is a type of '' mirliton'' (which itself is a membranophone), one of a class of instruments which modif ...
, vocals * Paul Sartin (2004-2022) – fiddle,
oboe The oboe ( ) is a type of double reed woodwind instrument. Oboes are usually made of wood, but may also be made of synthetic materials, such as plastic, resin, or hybrid composites. The most common oboe plays in the treble or soprano range. ...
,
slide whistle A slide whistle (variously known as a swanee or swannee whistle, lotos flute piston flute, or jazz flute) is a wind instrument consisting of a fipple like a recorder's and a tube with a piston in it. Thus it has an air reed like some woodwind ...
,
kazoo The kazoo is an American musical instrument that adds a "buzzing" timbral quality to a player's voice when the player vocalizes into it. It is a type of '' mirliton'' (which itself is a membranophone), one of a class of instruments which modif ...
, vocals *
Giles Lewin Giles Lewin is a British violinist and bagpiper. Currently a member of The Carnival Band, he was also a founding member of the folk band, Bellowhead. Biography He was born in Essex in 1960 or slightly earlier. At age nine, he sang the femal ...
(2004–2008) – fiddle,
bagpipes Bagpipes are a woodwind instrument using enclosed reeds fed from a constant reservoir of air in the form of a bag. The Great Highland bagpipes are well known, but people have played bagpipes for centuries throughout large parts of Europe, ...
* Sam Sweeney – fiddle,
English bagpipes When bagpipes arrived in England is unknown, there is some evidence to suggest Anglo-Saxon times, however the oldest confirmed proof of the existence of bagpipes anywhere in the world comes from three separate sources in the 13th century. Two of ...
, kazoo, vocals, whistle *Pete Flood – percussion (including frying pan,
glockenspiel The glockenspiel ( or , : bells and : set) or bells is a percussion instrument consisting of pitched aluminum or steel bars arranged in a keyboard layout. This makes the glockenspiel a type of metallophone, similar to the vibraphone. The ...
, knives and forks, clockwork toys, megaphone scratching,
stomp box A stomp box (or stompbox) is a percussion instrument consisting of a small box placed under the foot, which is tapped or stamped on rhythmically to produce a sound similar to that of a bass drum. A stomp box allows a performer such as a sing ...
, coal scuttle, party blowers, broomsticks, ratchet, Casio VL-tone, shakers and tambourine), vocals *Gideon Juckes (2006–2010) – sousaphone, helicon,
tuba The tuba (; ) is the lowest-pitched musical instrument in the brass instrument, brass family. As with all brass instruments, the sound is produced by lip vibrationa buzzinto a mouthpiece (brass), mouthpiece. It first appeared in the mid-19th&n ...
*Ed Neuhauser (2010–2016) – sousaphone, helicon,
tuba The tuba (; ) is the lowest-pitched musical instrument in the brass instrument, brass family. As with all brass instruments, the sound is produced by lip vibrationa buzzinto a mouthpiece (brass), mouthpiece. It first appeared in the mid-19th&n ...
, vocals *Brendan Kelly –
saxophone The saxophone (often referred to colloquially as the sax) is a type of Single-reed instrument, single-reed woodwind instrument with a conical body, usually made of brass. As with all single-reed instruments, sound is produced when a reed (mouthpi ...
,
bass clarinet The bass clarinet is a musical instrument of the clarinet family. Like the more common soprano B clarinet, it is usually pitched in B (meaning it is a transposing instrument on which a written C sounds as B), but it plays notes an octave ...
, vocals * Justin Thurgur
trombone The trombone (german: Posaune, Italian, French: ''trombone'') is a musical instrument in the brass family. As with all brass instruments, sound is produced when the player's vibrating lips cause the air column inside the instrument to vibrat ...
, vocals *Andy Mellon –
trumpet The trumpet is a brass instrument commonly used in classical and jazz ensembles. The trumpet group ranges from the piccolo trumpet—with the highest register in the brass family—to the bass trumpet, pitched one octave below the standar ...
, vocals


Discography


Studio albums


Live albums

*''Bellowhead Live: The Farewell Tour'' (2016) *''Reassembled'' (2021)


Singles

*" New York Girls" (2010) *"Cold Blows the Wind" (2010) *" 10,000 Miles Away" (September, 2012) *"Roll the Woodpile Down" (February, 2013) *"Betsy Baker" (July, 2013) *"Christmas Bells / Jingle Bells" (December, 2013) *"Gosport Nancy" (16 June 2014) *"Let Her Run / I Want to See the Bright Lights Tonight" (22 September 2014) *" Roll Alabama" (20 April 2015)


Extended plays

*''
E.P.Onymous ''E.P.Onymous'' is the debut EP by Bellowhead. Track listing Personnel *Jon Boden – vocals, fiddle, bagpipes *John Spiers – melodeon, vocals *Benji Kirkpatrick – mandolin, bouzouki, guitar, banjo *Andy Mellon – ...
'' (2004)


DVDs

*'' Live at Shepherds Bush Empire'' (2009) *'' Hedonism Live'' (November, 2011) *''Bellowhead Live: The Farewell Tour'' (2016)


Other works

*'' Umbrellowhead'' (2009) *''Pandemonium – The Essential Bellowhead'' (2015)


Awards and nominations


At BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards

The BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards are an annual awards ceremony held to celebrate achievement among folk artists that year. During their 12 years together, Bellowhead won eight of these awards, including Best Live Act on five occasions. , - , rowspan="1" style="text-align:center;", 2014 , rowspan="1", Bellowhead , Best Group , , - , rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;", 2013 , rowspan="1", Bellowhead , Best Group , , - , rowspan="1", Broadside , Best Album , , - , rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;", 2012 , rowspan="2", Bellowhead , Best Group , , - , Best Live Act , , - , rowspan="5" style="text-align:center;", 2011 , - , rowspan="2", Bellowhead , Best Group , , - , Best Live Act , , - , Hedonism , Best Album , , - , New York Girls , Best Traditional Track , , - , rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;", 2010 , rowspan="2" , Bellowhead , Best Group , , - , Best Live Act , , - , rowspan="4" style="text-align:center;", 2009 , - , rowspan="2", Bellowhead , Best Group , , - , Best Live Act , , - , Fakenham Fair , Best Traditional Track , , - , rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;", 2008 , rowspan="2", Bellowhead , Best Group , , - , Best Live Act , , - , rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;", 2007 , rowspan="2" , Bellowhead , Best Group , , - , Best Live Act , , - , rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;", 2006 , rowspan="2" , Bellowhead , Best Group , , - , Best Live Act , , - , rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;", 2005 , rowspan="2" , Bellowhead , Best Group , , - , Best Live Act ,


References


External links


Bellowhead websiteBellowhead forumBellowhead Interview - Folk Radio UK
* *


Video clips


Official YouTube Channel
{{DEFAULTSORT:Bellowhead English folk musical groups Musical groups established in 2004 Musical groups disestablished in 2016 2004 establishments in England 2016 disestablishments in England Westpark Music artists