MADDY Prior is a hugely influential figure in British folk music.

She has notched up 40 plus albums in as many years, as a solo artist and songwriter has gone from strength to strength, and in 2001 was awarded an MBE in recognition of services to the genre.

As many will already know, Maddy shot to international prominence as the voice of folk rock pioneers Steeleye Span, and through 45 years with the band, she kept up a variety of extra curricular activities, most notably The Silly Sisters, with June Tabor, and since 1987, the Carnival Band, a highly accomplished group of musicians, led by Andy Watts, who have a burning desire to restore energy into the medieval and renaissance music they tackle.

Maddy Prior and the Carnival Band are on tour with their Carols and Capers show bringing their own cavalier brand of festive fare to The Forum at Barrow on Saturday, December 8.

It was a series of happy accidents that led to Maddy Prior and the Carnival Band being thrown together for a Radio 2 Christmas broadcast. Such a success was the pairing that it has become an ongoing concern, both in the festive season and beyond, resulting in numerous sell-out tours, and six albums. A mixture of early music, hymnal settings and ribald reeling - and plenty of accomplished musicianship - the union has led to a clutch of albums celebrating Yuletide, the works of Methodist composers, and the Bacchanalian pleasures of life.

Bringing together ancient, modern and ethnic instruments, their emphasis on celebration, festivity, irreverence and exuberance has earned them the description of 'Henry VIII’s rock 'n' roll band.'

Between them Maddy and the band play more than 25 instruments from shawms, lutes, and Flemish bagpipes to more familiar instruments such as violin, clarinet and guitar.

"I love working with the chaps," explains Maddy. "It's just so different and they're so off the wall. Coming from a folk background I can relate to a lot of their dances and early music, but anything less like serious academic concerts when we tour you can't imagine.

"When we go out at Christmas, it's all streamers, balloons and lunacy. But behind it there’s a lot of talent."

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