When: 7.30pm on Friday 6 March 2025
Where: New Mills Art Theatre, Jodrell St, New Mills, High Peak SK22 3HJ

We’re delighted to welcome Martin and Eliza Carthy to the Art Theatre in New Mills!

For 60 years, Martin Carthy has been one of folk music’s greatest innovators, one of its best loved, most enthusiastic and, at times, most quietly controversial of figures. His skill, stage presence and natural charm have won him many admirers, not only from within the folk scene, but also far beyond it.

Trailblazing musical partnerships with, amongst others, Steeleye Span, Dave Swarbrick and his award-winning wife (Norma Waterson) and daughter Eliza Carthy have resulted in more than 40 albums, as well as eleven solo albums. Whether in the folk clubs, on the concert stage or making TV appearances, there are few roles that Martin Carthy hasn’t played. A ballad singer, a ground-breaking acoustic and electric-guitarist and an authoritative interpreter of newly composed material. He always prefers to follow an insatiable musical curiosity rather than cash in on his unrivalled position.

Perhaps, most significant of all, are his settings of traditional songs with guitar, which have influenced a generation of artists, including Bob Dylan and Paul Simon, on both sides of the Atlantic.

In recognition of his illustrious career Martin was recently shortlisted for the 2025 Mercury Price for his wonderful new solo record Transform Me Then Into A Fish. This album both marks his 84th birthday in May 2025, and offers a full circle moment in his music journey as he revisits material from his very first (eponymous) solo record released in 1965.

In his live show, Martin draws from an eclectic range of songs and tunes from his vast repertoire, drawing from the traditional canon as well as some newer songs.

‘Arguably the greatest English folk song performer, writer, collector and editor of them all’ – Q Magazine

Eliza Carthy is undoubtedly one of the most impressive and engaging performers of her generation. Twice nominated for the Mercury Prize and winner of innumerable other accolades over her career to date, Eliza has performed and recorded with a diverse array of artists including Paul Weller, Rufus and Martha Wainwright, Patrick Wolf and Bob Neuwirth.

More than most, Eliza has revitalised folk music and captured the most hardened of dissenters with intelligent, charismatic and boundary-bending performances.

Eliza grew up immersed in the world of traditional music. She still divides her time between touring and recording as well as engaging in numerous pioneering solo and band projects, most recently, The Restitution.

‘Eliza Carthy is one of the figureheads of the English folk revival … compelling’ – Evening Standard

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