folk rock @ temperance | Ríoghnach Connolly & Honeyfeet

Ríoghnach Connolly & Honeyfeet are thrilled to announce their highly anticipated 2024 tour, “They Want What You’ve Got.” This tour follows their stunning headline performance at the Manchester Folk Expo, where they captivated the audience with their unique blend of musical styles and infectious energy. We saw them there and just HAD to book them.

Ríoghnach Connolly, the BBC Radio 2 Folk Singer of the Year, leads Honeyfeet with her eclectic taste for musical adventure. Together, they drive a broad terrain of musical textures, from esoteric protest songs to foot-tapping and floor-thumping dance rhythms. Known for her deadpan wit and broad, smiling on-stage banter, Connolly delights in sharing her multicultural voyage of discovery, pushing aside life’s banality in favor of mischievous energy and creative joy.

Traditional and folk music are fundamental to Connolly’s musical canon. Drawing from a long line of singers on both sides of her family, she channels the music of her grandparents and incorporates a breadth of styles and folk traditions from around the world. Her voice seamlessly blends elements of Sean-nós Caoineamh, West African griot, and American deep-south resonance. Connolly also performs in a more traditional form with Stuart McCallum as The Breath, while her performances with Honeyfeet are known for their heavily layered and theatrical songs. They played Temperance in May and were extraordinary. We can't wait to hear the loud dancy version!

The Honeyfeet lineup includes Lorien Garth Edwards on bass, Ellis Davies on guitar, John Ellis on keyboards, Biff Roxby on brass, and Phill Howley on drums. An eclectic troupe based in Manchester, Honeyfeet’s sound spans from big-band swing to Alabama blues-tinged folk, all held together by Connolly’s powerful vocals and flute.

As part of the “They Want What You’ve Got” tour, Honeyfeet will be traveling around England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales promoting the final single from their album, titled “They Want What You’ve Got.” This single, set for release in October 2024, showcases the band’s dynamic range and Connolly’s poetic consciousness, delivering heartfelt and honest lyrics.

Honeyfeet’s album, *Orange Whip*, released in March 2018, was met with critical acclaim and was BBC 6 Music’s Album of the Day. The band’s energetic and captivating performances have made them a staple on the festival circuit, headlining stages at Shambala, Beautiful Days, Cambridge Folk Festival, Glastonbury, Boomtown, Wilderness, Secret Garden Party, and Kendal Calling – to name but a few!

This promises to be our gig of the year. They are loud and great fun. We can't wait!

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