The Albion Band

The Albion Band hit the road in February in support of their new album The Vice Of The People. The tour starts at the Cheltenham Folk Festival on Saturday 11 February and closes in Croydon on Tuesday 3 April. Full details can be found on The Albion Band website.

VIEUX FARKA TOURE LIVE IN THE UK IN FEBRUARY 2012

Malian singer, songwriter and guitarist Vieux Farka Toure will return to the UK for a 10-date tour, starting on 5 February in Glasgow (part of the Celtic Connections festival) and also including a special show at London's Queen Elizabeth Hall with British blues singer-songwriter Oli Brown's trio opening.

For full details visit Vieux Farka Toure's website

Alan Yn Y Fan

To celebrate the release of their new album Pwnco, out on Steam Pie Records in early April, Welsh traditionalists Alan Yn Y Fan - renowned as one of Wales finest twmpath bands - will be touring Wales throughout April and May.

Patsy Matheson

Patsy Matheson sets out on tour in early February in support of latest release Stories of Angels & Guitars which is out on Tomorrow Records on 16th Jan 2012.

The tour kicks off in Carlisle on 3rd February and ends in Pickering on the 14th April. Full details can be found on the Patsy Matheson website.

EFDSS - Cecil Sharp House Gigs Announced

London's Cecil Sharp House have announced a whole raft of great gigs for the Spring, kicking off with The Carolina Chocolate Drops (pictured) on 23 Jan followed by Kathryn Roberts (28 Jan), Bellowhead's Sam Sweeney (15 Feb), O'Hooley & Tidow supported by Lucy Ward (25 April), Cara Dillon (26 April) and Chris Wood (19 May). Full details are on the EFDSS website.

Carolina Chocolate Drops

Nuts in May

Nuts in May is a new family friendly music festival which will take place over the first bank holiday weekend in May 2012.

The festival will offer something for everyone - whilst remaining small, with a wide range of live music over 3 stages and various other venues. There will be children's entertainment and workshops, traders market and bars, open mic, storytelling, camping and general good fun.

Amongst the many acts appearing will be Hazel O'Connor