If you’re the sort of person whose Christmas list is perennially packed with records, band merch and gig ticket requests, you’re also likely to be the sort of person who’ll appreciate the often joyful, often cheesy, always cockle-warming Christmas gig. We’ve…
Some bands create a niche for themselves that’s so particular they end up being terribly boring. The furrow The National have ended up in is certainly distinctive, but every earnest, stirring indie rock ballad that comes from it is unmistakably…
Photo © Will Clayton Dear readers, It has come the day when our wonderful cyber-friend For Folk’s Sake, the music critique glue which brings us all closer together, celebrates its fifth birthday. Obviously such frivolous celebrations are unlikely to move…
Probably Bryan Ferry wishes he was a bit cooler than headlining Proms in the Park. He almost definitely wouldn’t have done it in his Roxy Music days, but maybe he’ll take the screaming fans wherever he can get them now…
FFS often find ourselves moaning about the noise levels at lovely folk gigs where you want to be able to hear nothing but the singer’s voice or a pin dropping, but find yourself shushing those chatting behind you in a…
Is there a band more simultaneously joyous and mardy than Camera Obscura? We’re yet to find one, especially now that we’ve seen them live and in full gloom. We’ve loved Camera Obscura’s sugar-coated melancholy for a good deal longer than…
The Summer Series at Somerset House is back for 2013 with an altogether more FFS-friendly line-up. Eleven open-air concerts will be held during July in the building’s stunning courtyard, a use which beats their winter ice rink hands down, in…
The Electric Soft Parade have been around a long time. The brothers White (Tom and Alex), who formed the band, were also in Brakes for a bit. Don’t remember Brakes? You might be too young, and that makes us feel…
Hello dear readers, It will come as no surprise to you that I am of the opinion that birds are the finest class of creature to inhabit this planet. Our singing voices are remarkable (some better than others, though I…
There are some abilities that all children of folkie parents have in common. Knowing the words to most of ‘Tempted and Tried’ by Steeleye Span. Being able to hold their own at a ceilidh. Having a favourite Christmas song that…