Bellowhead
Celebrating 20 Years
From Sage 1 at the Glasshouse International Centre for Music
Bellowhead
- Bellowhead is an English folk band formed in 2004 by Jon Boden and John Spiers, known for energetic live performances.
- They blend traditional folk with jazz, cabaret, and rock, using brass and percussion.
- Notable albums include *Hedonism* and *Broadside*; reformed in 2020 after a 2016 split.
- Surprisingly, they also make their own beer and gin, engaging fans beyond music.
Who Are Bellowhead?
Hey, have you heard of Bellowhead? If not, let’s get you up to speed on this English folk band that’s been turning heads since 2004. Picture Jon Boden and John Spiers stuck in traffic, brainstorming a way to make folk music louder, livelier, and a little bit wilder. That’s how Bellowhead was born—an 11-piece crew that takes traditional tunes and flips them into something you’d hear at a raucous party. Check out their story on Wikipedia for the full scoop.
Their Sound and Shows
So, what’s their deal? Bellowhead isn’t content with just strumming a guitar by a campfire. They bring a four-piece brass section, percussion, and a mix of over 20 instruments into the fold. Think fiddles, bagpipes, and tubas crashing into folk songs, shanties, and dance numbers, all spiced up with jazz, cabaret, and a hint of rock. Their sound is big—almost theatrical—and their live shows? Pure energy. The Guardian called them “furiously energetic and imaginative” during their 2016 farewell tour.
Albums and Achievements
Bellowhead’s got a discography worth digging into. Standouts like Hedonism (2010), recorded at Abbey Road Studios, and Broadside (2012), which hit number 16 on the UK Albums Chart, show off their range. They’ve nabbed five “Best Live Group” wins at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards—check their Facebook page for the bragging rights—and sold over 250,000 albums. Want a taste? Listen to hits like “New York Girls” on Genius.
A Break, a Comeback, and More
After a solid run, Bellowhead called it quits in 2016—The Guardian covered the split—but they couldn’t stay away. By 2020, they were back with a reunion concert, followed by tours in 2022 and 2024. Their live album Reassembled (2021) captures that comeback vibe, and their 2024 tour celebrates 20 years—details are up on their site.
Beyond the Music
Here’s where it gets fun: Bellowhead doesn’t stop at tunes. They’ve brewed their own real ale with Potbelly Brewery—The Guardian dubbed them a “party band” for a reason—and crafted a gin for Broadside’s 10th anniversary (peek at their website). They’ve even scored for TV, like the Beyond Paradise theme in 2023, and popped up in The Simpsons back in 2009.
Why They Matter
Bellowhead’s not just a band—they’re a movement. Blending old-school folk with a fresh twist, they’ve kept fans hooked for two decades. Whether you catch them live (tour dates on Songkick) or sip their gin, they’re proof folk music can still surprise you. Dive into their world and see what the fuss is about.
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Detailed Notes: Bellowhead Folk Band
Bellowhead, an English contemporary folk band, has carved a distinctive niche in the music scene since its formation in 2004 by Jon Boden and John Spiers. This 11-piece ensemble is renowned for its innovative approach to traditional folk music, blending it with elements of jazz, cabaret, and rock, and is particularly noted for its energetic live performances. This survey note provides a comprehensive overview of the band's history, music style, notable works, and surprising engagements, ensuring a thorough understanding for both enthusiasts and newcomers.
Formation and Background
The band's inception is a tale of serendipity, born out of a traffic jam on tour, where Boden and Spiers decided to expand their duo into a larger ensemble, eventually forming a 10-piece band initially, with Gideon Juckes joining in 2006 on tuba and Sam Sweeney replacing Giles Lewin in 2008 on fiddles and bagpipes. The lineup saw further changes, with Ed Neuhauser replacing Juckes in 2010. Tragically, Paul Sartin, a key member, passed away on 14 September 2022 at age 51. Despite these changes, Bellowhead maintained a core of over 20 instruments played among them, with all members contributing vocals, creating a rich, layered sound.
After a prolific run from 2004 to 2016, Bellowhead announced their split following a final gig at Oxford Town Hall in May 2016. However, the band's story didn't end there; they reformed in 2020 for a reunion concert, followed by reunion tours in 2022 and 2024, celebrating milestones like the 10th anniversary of *Broadside*. This resurgence was marked by a live album, *Reassembled*, released in 2021 by Hudson Records, capturing a 2020 concert stream that sold over 10,000 tickets, underscoring their enduring popularity.
Music Style and Live Performances
Bellowhead's music is a fusion of traditional folk elements—dance tunes, folk songs, and shanties—with contemporary influences. Their arrangements draw from a wide range of musical styles, including jazz and cabaret, enhanced by a four-piece brass section and percussion, which sets them apart from typical folk bands. This blend is evident in their energetic live shows, described as "furiously energetic and imaginative" by *The Guardian* Bellowhead review – folk's big band wave goodbye in style, combining instrumental virtuosity with jumping choruses and outrageous showmanship.
Their live performances are a spectacle, often compared to a party, with reviews highlighting their ability to engage audiences, as seen in a 2015 *Guardian* article Acclaimed folk band Bellowhead split after more than a decade. The band's approach is not just musical but theatrical, with lights, actions, and staging enhancing the experience, as noted in a Songkick review of a Glasgow show promoting *Revival* Bellowhead Tour Announcements 2024 & 2025, Notifications, Dates, Concerts & Tickets – Songkick.
Awards and Recognition
Bellowhead's impact is evidenced by their multiple awards, including five wins for "Best Live Group" at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards in 2005, 2007, 2008, and 2010, as mentioned on their Facebook page Bellowhead. They also achieved commercial success, selling over a quarter of a million copies of their albums and earning two silver discs, as noted in a Gigs and Tours news article BELLOWHEAD REUNITE FOR NOVEMBER 2022 TOUR TO CELEBRATE THE 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF BROADSIDE.
Surprising Engagements: Beer, Gin, and Media Contributions
Beyond music, Bellowhead has engaged fans in unique ways, notably by brewing their own real ale in collaboration with Potbelly Brewery in Northamptonshire, as mentioned in a 2010 *Guardian* article ([Bellowhead: 'We're a party band with serious intellectual pretensions'](https://www.theguardian.com/music/2010/sep/26/bellowhead-party-band-folk-music)). They also released a limited edition premium gin in celebration of the 10th anniversary of *Broadside*, as seen on their official website ([Bellowhead](https://bellowhead.co.uk/)). These ventures highlight their creative approach to fan engagement.
Additionally, Bellowhead has contributed to media, recording the theme for the BBC/Britbox series *Beyond Paradise* in 2023, including its Christmas Special, and featuring in *The Archers* spin-off *Ambridge Extra* in 2011 with a revised "Barwick Green" theme. They even recorded music for *The Simpsons* 20th Anniversary Episode in 2009, showcasing their versatility ([Bellowhead - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bellowhead)).
Recent Activities and Fan Reception
Recent news includes their 2024 tour announcement, celebrating 20 years of Bellowhead, as posted on their website ([2024 tour announced](https://bellowhead.co.uk/blogs/news/posts/7306081/2024-tour-announced)). Their reunion tours in 2022 and 2024 have been met with enthusiasm, with fans expressing joy at their return, as seen in their news section ([Bellowhead - News](https://bellowhead.co.uk/news)). The 2020 online concert stream, selling over 10,000 tickets, further confirmed their status as one of the UK's most in-demand folk acts, leading to pleas for more live performances.
Notable Works and Discography
Bellowhead's discography is extensive, reflecting their evolution and impact. Below is a table of their studio and live albums, highlighting key releases:
Their singles, such as "New York Girls" (2010), "10,000 Miles Away" (2012), and "Roll Alabama" (2015), are among their most popular, as noted on Genius (Bellowhead Songs). These tracks, along with others like "Broomfield Hill," showcase their ability to revitalize traditional songs with cinematic frameworks, earning praise from Mojo for their "voraciously full-blooded performance" (Bellowhead ~ Songs List | OLDIES.com).
Conclusion
Bellowhead's journey from a traffic jam idea to a folk music powerhouse is a testament to their innovation and fan connection. Their music, blending tradition with contemporary flair, their engaging live shows, and surprising ventures like brewing beer and gin, make them a standout in the folk scene. For anyone interested in English folk music with a twist, Bellowhead is a band worth exploring, with ongoing tours ensuring their legacy continues to grow.