After their explosion onto the national folk roots scene over the past two years, duo Ninebarrow will be performing on Saturday 9th February at St Alkmund’s Church, in Whitchurch, as part of their extensive national tour this winter.

In a few short years, the Dorset-based duo have carved themselves a distinctive niche on the folk roots scene for their outstanding harmonies, delicate instrumentation and engaging songs. In 2017, they were unsurprisingly nominated at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards in the ’Horizon’ category for ‘Best Emerging Artist’. One of the highest accolades in their genre, it was made even more exceptional because it was only a few months prior to this that Jon Whitley and Jay LaBouchardiere relinquished their jobs as a teacher and GP in favour of a full-time music career – an act of faith that has clearly paid dividends.

Named after Nine Barrow Down in the Purbeck hills, their first release While the Blackthorn Burns was voted FATEA Magazine’s Best Debut Album of 2014, while their last album Releasing the Leaves (2016) saw a volley of critical acclaim including five-star reviews in Maverick and EDS Magazine as well as Best Duo nominations in the FATEA and Folking.com Awards.

Ninebarrow have continued this upwards trajectory with their new record, The Waters and the Wild. The 11-track album highlights how their inspired songwriting is ever evolving and displays the duo’s incredible vocal harmonies through original songs mixed with innovative arrangements of folk standards, all wrapped in lush, sensitive arrangements and flawless musicianship. Awarded 5-stars in both The Morning Star and the English Folk Dance & Song Society’s EDS Magazine, the album has also been described by folk luminary, Mike Harding, as ‘absolutely monumental’. In June 2018, the album also reached Number 2 in Amazon’s Folk Best-Seller chart and, at the end of last year, was crowned ‘Best Album of 2018’ by Nova FM.

It is the multi-award-winning duo’s modern and inventive take on the folk tradition that seems to be captivating audiences across the country. Not only exceptional singers and musicians, they are also equally passionate about the stories behind their songs. Ninebarrow have received high praise from the likes of Mike Harding and folk legends, Seth Lakeman and Kate Rusby. A live session on BBC Radio 2’s Folk Show, described by presenter Mark Radcliffe as ’immaculate’, has lead to a string of sell-out shows across the UK.

Saturday night’s concert starts at 7:30pm (with doors at 7pm) and tickets are available from www.ninebarrow.co.uk/whitchurch