“Magnificent! A pairing made in heaven!” - At The Barrier
“If it looks easy to accomplish something complex and difficult, then you are in the presence of excellence” - Folk London
Brooks Williams & Aaron Catlow bring soaring Trans-Atlantic melodies and bluesy-folk brilliance to the time-honoured guitar and fiddle tradition. These two are masters of their respective instruments.
This inspired pairing has been gathering praise from the likes of “Songlines,” “Folk Radio UK,” and “Penny Black Music,” among others, and delighting audiences from festivals like Ely, Middlewich, Raunds and venues like Stoller Hall and The Atkinson, who stated their concert was “one of the best nights ever.”
A chance meeting on tour in The Netherlands led to the two collaborating on two recordings in as many years. The magic is evident from the start.
“Ghost Owl” is first in 2021. A collection of guitar & fiddle duets written for, and inspired by, the barn owl, “Ghost Owl” is shortlisted ‘Instrumental Album Of The Year’ by Fatea.
The sound, says “Songlines,” recalls the style of “Martin Carthy and Dave Swarbrick….Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli.”
“Ready For The Times” follows in 2022 and showcases the depth and breath of their musical vocabulary. With two voices, an acoustic guitar and a fiddle, these two show just how versatile they can be. From Ola Belle Reed’s “I’ve Endured” to a Hot Club-styled reading of “If You Want The Rainbow;” from the Piedmont classic “CC&O Blues” to full tilt bluegrass on “Love Too Soon,” “this album,” says Penny Black Music, “is a joy to listen to.”
Aaron Catlow is a master violinist and half of the Bristol-based duo Hawes And Catlow, with guitarist-singer Kit Hawes. He is also the fiddler in UK festival favourite Sheelanagig. Catlow's other credits including playing with Grammy Award-nominated Yola, Mad Dog Mcrea and Afro Celt Sound System.
Cambridge UK-based, Georgia US-born, Brooks Williams has a long-standing solo career in both North America and the UK and is also known for his adventurous collaborations with the likes of Dan Walsh, Sloan Wainwright, Boo Hewerdine and Rab Noakes, among others. He is named one of WUMB-FM Boston's Top 100 All-Time Artists. Fatea refers to him as “one of those select few 'how on earth does he do it?!' artists."
The music of Brooks Williams and Aaron Catlow, says Folk Radio UK, is “a thing of beauty" (Folk Radio).
Tickets £15.50
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Most of our shows use ‘cabaret-style’ seating. This means that your seats will be unreserved, which allows you to decide where to sit when you arrive.
The stalls (downstairs) are set up informally, with chairs around small tables, for a sociable, relaxed atmosphere, and somewhere to put your drink. Cabaret seating also allows space for dancing, which is highly encouraged at Victoria Hall!
For those who prefer a more ‘traditional’ theatre experience, the balcony seats are laid out in rows and raked, ensuring all seats have an excellent view.
For parties of six or more, tables in the stalls can be reserved- contact us to reserve a table. If you have reserved a table, we ask that at least one of your party turn up at least 30 minutes before the performance start time, in order to secure your table.
We can always reserve seating or wheelchair spaces in the stalls for those unable to use the stairs- just let us know when you book your tickets.
Please note, online bookings are subject to a booking fee. Tickets can also be bought by phone on 01729 825718, or in person at our box office. Opening hours are 10am-2pm, Monday-Friday.
Show end times given are an estimate only. Doors open 45 minutes before show start times.
Settle Victoria Hall reserves the right to turn away any customers not adhering to social-distancing laws, government guidelines, and/ or venue safeguarding policies.
Tickets are non-refundable, except in the case that the event or date has been changed by Settle Victoria Hall.
