WHATS ON
AT THE NCEM
NCEM Autumn Season 2024
Making Tracks
Tuesday 24 September 7.30pm
£18.00 (£16.00 concessions | £7.00 under 35)
Making Tracks returns to the NCEM with eight extraordinary musicians inspired by deep-rooted musical traditions from across the world. Join us for a unique evening celebrating composers, singers, instrumentalists and electronic specialists from across Europe, Africa and the UK.
“The sheer quality of musicianship on display is immense” Songlines Magazine
Richard Durrent
Thursday 26 September 7.30pm
£17.00 (£15.00 concessions | £7.00 under 35)
Richard Durrant’s regular visits to this fascinating and magical part of South America have earned him accolades and awards whilst his concerts and trilogy of Paraguayan albums have uncovered the richness of guitar music being written in the region today. He is now widely recognised as one of the world’s leading interpreters of the music of Agustín Barrios. In this entertaining and colourful concert Durrant explores the mysteries of La Ruta Mangoreana, uncovering the beauty of Paraguayan music and sharing stories from the central southern cone of South America. He also explains how all this began for him on a number 26 Brighton corporation bus.
Nasim-e Tarab Ensemble
Saturday 28 September 7.30pm
£20.00 (£18.00 concessions | £7.00 under 35)
The five-member ensemble comprises some of Iran’s most virtuoso musicians, generally regarded as the generation with the most demanding task of preserving, promoting, and teaching the classical music of Iran while enhancing its creativity in, historically, one of the most challenging times of its development.
The Nasim-e Tarab Ensemble performs a suite of classical Iranian music composed and arranged by Saeid Kordmafi, based on his extensive research into the music of the Near and Middle East and Central Asia, with a view to approach classical Iranian music from a cross-cultural and historically informed perspective.
Promoted in association with Nava Arts - Partners with SOAS in Moqan Beyond Borders
Lulo Reinhardt & Yuliya Lonskaya
Wednesday 2 October 7.30pm
£19.00 (£17.00 concessions | £7.00 under 35)
We are thrilled to welcome Lulo Reinhardt back to the NCEM stage, joined by Yuliya Lonskaya. While Lulo has a repertoire of jazz manouche as you might expect, as the grand nephew of Django Reinhardt, he has extended his musical horizons beyond that with music from North Africa and India influencing his playing.
Yuliya Lonskaya performs her own fresh and unique style of classic, folk, jazz and bossa nova arrangements.
Two wonderful world class guitarists; this musical ‘pairing’ is definitely a cut above! Together they make beautiful music.
lulo-reinhardt-project.de | lonskaya.com
Claire Martin with The Martin Sjostedt Trio
Sunday 6 October 6.30pm
£20.00 (£18.00 concessions | £7.00 under 35)
Renowned UK jazz vocalist and multi-award winner, Claire Martin OBE, reunites with her accomplished Swedish trio, led by the exceptional pianist and arranger Martin Sjöstedt, for their latest collaborative endeavour – ‘Almost in Your Arms’ (Stunt Records). This marks their second collaboration, promising an extraordinary musical journey.
“One of the finest jazz singers in the world today” Jazz Journal
“Our finest jazz singer” The Times
Leveret
Friday 11 October 7.30pm
£19.00 (£17.00 concessions | £7.00 under 35)
Sam Sweeney fiddle
Andy Cutting button accordion
Rob Harbron concertina Renowned
Leveret is a unique collaboration between three of England’s finest folk musicians, each regarded as exceptional performers and masters of their instruments. Together their performances combine consummate musicianship, compelling delivery and captivating spontaneity. Their playing is relaxed and natural, drawing audiences in and inviting them to share in music making that is truly spontaneous and yet deeply timeless.
“Three of England’s finest traditional players weaving exquisite tapestries out of old and new tunes. Just sublime. I can’t recommend seeing them live enough” BBC Radio 3
The Ancient Law
Tuesday 15 October 7.30pm
£19.00 (£17.00 concessions | £7.00 under 35)
Silent film with live score
Alicia Svigals violin
Donald Sosin piano
Alicia Svigals is the world’s leading klezmer violinist and a founder of the Grammywinning Klezmatics, and pianist Donald Sosin is one of the world’s foremost silent film accompanists. Together, they have been bringing audiences to their feet across Europe and America with their Klezmerinfused silent film scores. They will perform their score for the 1923 Weimar-era classic, The Ancient Law. In an 1860s Galician shtetl, the teenage son of the community’s rabbi disobeys his father and leaves home to become a Shakespearean actor in Vienna. As delighted as he is by the world of theatre and his success in it, he also longs for home and a way to reconcile his religious heritage with his love of secular literature. Directed by E.A. Dupont in exquisite visual style that evokes Rembrandt, The Ancient Law is an outstanding example of the creativity of Jewish filmmakers in 1920s Germany.
Part of Northern Silents Festival 2024
Steve Knightley
Tuesday 22 October 7.30pm
£22.00 (£20.00 concessions | £7.00 under 35)
Renowned Westcountry songwriter Steve Knightley, former Show of Hands frontman, announces a groundbreaking nationwide solo tour—the first since the iconic band disbanded. Focused on promoting his latest album, ‘The Winter Yards,’ this tour signifies a profound shift in Knightley’s musical journey.
With a reputation for haunting narrative songs and captivating storytelling, fans can anticipate Knightley’s solo career as a powerful and evocative continuation of his influential legacy in Acoustic music.
Toot!
Sunday 27 October 1.30pm & 3.30pm
£9.00 (£7.00 under 16) £26.00
Family Ticket (2 adults, 2 children or 1 adult, 3 children)
A staged concert for children aged 7 – 11 and their families exploring the magical world of the wind quintet.
Be mesmerized by Paquito D’rivera’s Aires Tropicales, and calmed by G.F. Handel’s Sonata for Oboe, whilst Valerie Coleman’s Red Clay and Mississippi Delta transports you into the blues of the deep south. Feel the vibrant energy of György Ligeti’s Bagatelles and let Judith Weir’s Mountain Airs carry you to the majestic Scottish Highlands.
RI Golden Rail Brass Band
Friday 1 November 7.30pm £5.00
40th Anniversary Concert
York RI Golden Rail Band celebrate their 40th anniversary with this special concert showcasing their versatility and creativity, paying tribute to their railway connections, as well as telling an environmental themed original story through narration and music.
Led by MD Nicholas Eastwood, Golden Rail exemplifies what a modern British brass band bursting with homegrown talent can achieve.
Aesthetica Short Film Festival
6-10 November
Aesthetica is the destination for independent cinema. Enter a world of incredible films, immersive VR and thrilling games. Meet talented creatives from across the globe and hear from film industry experts through insightful masterclasses, workshops and networking sessions. Attend short and feature-length film screenings across multiple genres, from Animation to Comedy, Drama to Documentary, Thriller and many more. Plus, there are Family Friendly programmes for all ages to enjoy. This is your chance to discover something new and be inspired by storytelling.
Calan
Wednesday 13 November 7.30pm
£22.00
Promoted by Black Swan Folk Club
A Mythical Musical Odyssey
Internationally acclaimed CALAN emerge with a new, captivating narrative. Ancient tales of Welsh mythology are meticulously brought to life, transcending the pages of folklore to resonate through the enchanting melodies of harp, guitar, fiddle, accordion, and song. ‘Nefydd’ tells stories of murderous princes, thieving highwaymen and the triumphant resurgence of the heart of Welsh folklore. CALAN’s versatility is legendary in itself. From intimate house concerts to the grandiose Royal Albert Hall, Calan have become modern day folk heroes themselves.
Andy Irvine
Sunday 17 November 6.30pm
£19.00 (£17.00 concessions | £7.00 under 35)
Andy Irvine is one of the truly great Irish singers, his memorable voice gets to the very soul of Ireland.
Musician, singer and songwriter, Andy has maintained his highly individual performing skills throughout his over 50-year career. As a soloist, Andy fills the role of the archetypal troubadour with a show and a travelling lifestyle that reflect his lifelong influence, Woody Guthrie. To quote The Irish Times, “Often copied, never equalled”, his repertoire consists of Irish traditional songs, dexterous Balkan dances and a compelling canon of his own self-penned songs.
A vibrant career as a solo artist in the old style, a teller of tales and maker of music.
“Andy Irvine has been one of Ireland’s most creative talents for over 20 years” Boston Globe
Budapest Café Orchestra
Sunday 24 November 6.30pm
£24.00 (£22.00 concessions | £7.00 under 35)
Refreshingly unconventional and snappily attired boutique orchestra. Budapest Café Orchestra bring you folk-flavoured music in their own fresh and surprising way. From Balkan and Russian traditional pieces to artful distillations of the masterpieces by the great Romantic composers to Gaelic folk anthems their infectious music will get into your veins and stay there forever.
“The music is magic in their hands.” Sean Rafferty BBC Radio 3
St Agnes Fountain
Monday 2 December 7.30pm
£23.00
Promoted by Black Swan Folk Club
Chris While vocals, guitar, bodhran, dulcimer, banjo, darbuka and percussion.
Julie Matthews vocals, piano, guitar, accordion and gazouki
Chris Leslie fiddle, mandolin, tenor guitar, bouzouki, ukulele, banjo, oud, whistle, native American flute and anything else he can lay his hands on!
Since their first get together, to record the eponymous St Agnes Fountain album in 2001, the quartet; David Hughes, Fairport Convention’s Chris Leslie and multi award winning duo Chris While and Julie Matthews, have brought musical invention and laughter to the stardust atmosphere of the season.
whileandmatthews.com | chrislesliemusic.com
GreenMatthews
Wednesday 11 December 7.30pm
£20.00 (£18.00 concessions | £7.00 under 35)
Gaudete!
Following on from 10 years of successful touring at Christmas, Gaudete is an expanded line up of Chris and Sophie’s popular festive fare. Featuring Emily Baines on early woodwinds and Richard Heacock on violin, their music is lush, rich and heartwarming – perfectly evoking the Spirit of Christmas Past. Gaudete! brings the festive season to life in a riot of sound and colour!
“You guys are awesome!” Bill Barclay, Director of Music at Shakespeare’s Globe
Awake Arise
Sunday 15 December 6.30pm
£20.00 (£18.00 concessions | £7.00 under 35)
Five of the English folk scene’s most inventive artists bring you A Christmas Show For Our Times; celebrating the riches of our varied winter traditions and reflecting upon the hope and resilience in music and song that can bring joy to us all in the darkest season. Award winning trio Lady Maisery (Hannah James, Rowan Rheingans and Hazel Askew) are joined by the beguiling musical partnership of Jimmy Aldridge and Sid Goldsmith, bringing the outstanding vocals, sensitive instrumentation and powerful social conscience that has won them widespread critical acclaim.
“Rousing stuff” The Observer
Coming soon to the NCEM
Martin Simpson
Saturday 22 March 7.30pm
£22.00 (£20.00 concessions | £7.00 under 35)
The remarkable intimate solo performances Martin gives go from strength to strength – every gig is a masterclass. He travels the length and breadth of the UK and beyond, giving rapt audiences passion, sorrow, love, beauty, tragedy and majesty through his playing.
Antonio Forcione & Giorgio Sera
Friday 28th March 7.30pm
£22.00 (£20.00 concessions | £7.00 under 35)
As a duo, these two musicians are not just top of their game, but the front men of their own bands. Audiences are guaranteed a powerful and dynamic show of wit, personality and musical virtuosity.
“A one-off musical sensation. Unmissable” The Scotsman