Like Steeleye Span, The Albion Band has been carrying the flag for folk music for around 40 years now. Also like Steeleye Span, the lineup of players has changed a lot over the decades, emerging like a phoenix from the ashes last year with an all-new team headed up by Blair Dunlop, son of founder Ashley Hutchings. This musical reformation has kept the approach fresh and allowed younger musicians to innovate, albeit within the Albion tradition. The result is that they have kept up to date, yet managed to carry their loyal audiences with them. Despite the ‘all-change’ in the lineup, the atmosphere in the Regent Centre was like a reunion of old friends, though it has to be said that the average age of the audience must now be significantly higher than that of the band members.

And the music? Essentially it’s ‘Rock meets Folk’. A big-hearted sound from a mixed bag of fiddle, guitars, concertina, melodeon and drums. If you are interested in what they sound like, visit their website at thealbionband.com and sample a number from their new album Vice of the People for free. It’s good. Very good.

Alan Jones