Homecoming gig with groundbreaking folk musician for Thatcham virtuoso
The next gig at ACE Space includes The Finn Collinson Band who garner numerous superlatives like "seamlessly blend old and new music with distinctive instrumentation, creating a refreshingly innovative take on contemporary folk" says the St Nicholas' Road community venue's Stephen Ottner.
Their dynamic live show is meticulously crafted yet "endearingly spontaneous, respectfully traditional yet strikingly modern, and reassuringly familiar yet spellbindingly imaginative".
Finn is widely regarded as a groundbreaking recorder player on the English folk scene, as well as a distinguished guitarist, tunesmith and educator. Shortlisted for the BBC Young Folk Award in 2018, he has toured extensively with various ensembles, including appearances at many of the UK’s major folk festivals including The Sidmouth Folk Festival, Broadstairs Folk Week and FolkEast.
Together with Finn on recorders, guitars and vocals, the band features leading virtuosos Emma Beach (oboes, vocals), Archie Churchill-Moss (accordion, guitar) and Evan Carson (bodhran, percussion). Combining their wealth of experience and creativity, this small ensemble produces a pioneering and powerful sound. For band member Emma Beach this is a homecoming gig – she grew up in Thatcham and attended Kennet School and Berkshire Maestros music service.
Emma has performed with Newbury Symphony Orchestra and Berkshire Youth Symphony Orchestra, and with the support of Maestros, went on to study music at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama (where she first crossed paths with Finn). Now based in London, Emma is a highly accomplished oboist and teaches for many well-respected music centres across the city.
The band’s repertoire is wonderfully varied, with tunes spanning an incredible 400 years of musical history, along with Finn’s own compositions. Their 2022 shows will feature favourites from 2019’s debut album Call To Mind (described by FATEA as “a work of true quality”) and new music destined for future release. From groove-infused instrumental tunes to heartfelt stories of inspiring people and places, the band’s set will appeal to wide audiences.
Alongside his work with the band, Finn is a founder member of London-based ceilidh band Stroma and award-winning recorder quartet Aurai. He is also in high demand as a folk educator, notably as co-ordinator of the Youth Moot programme for FolkEast in Suffolk.
The Finn Collinson Band will be sharing the billing at Ace Space on Friday (April 8) with Anna Renae, a pop/folk singer-songwriter weaving musical stories inspired by life’s complexities. Tickets are £14 and available from www.WeGotTickets.com or calling 078911 76940 or emailing events@AceSpace.org.uk
With music that will inspire you to dance in the aisles and at times to pause for reflection, a performance from The Finn Collinson Band has both musical chemistry and dynamic energy.
