Birmingham's Conservatoire Folk Ensemble announce new album and festival details

The UK's biggest folk big band by size - they boast 50-plus members - they've also just released their first ever promo video for the record's title track.

Power Folk is being held on June 10 at Digbeth's Spotted Dog, and fans are being advised to get their tickets early as it always sells out in advance.

They will be releasing Sleepy Maggie the same day.

It’s been a busy 12 months. Their acclaimed studio album, Painted, racked up a string of positive reviews, and the collective also guested on Fairport Convention’s acclaimed 50:50@50 album.

Meanwhile, in their hometown of Birmingham, the full band stunned commuters at New Street Station with a pop-up gig, and they wowed audiences at one of the biggest St Patrick’s Day celebrations outside of Ireland.

And the record - full title Sleepy Maggie + Remixes, Reworkings and Rarities - is hoping to gain new fans.

Band leader Joe Broughton said: “Sleepy Maggie is a traditional tune which we’ve deconstructed and rearranged in typical ensemble fashion, pulling in ideas from various members to create something that sounds very, very different from versions you might have heard before.

“It’s supposed to be deliciously over the top.”

The deconstruction then continues with a series of surprising remixes and re-imaginings by various members of the ensemble that pushes Sleepy Maggie further into new musical territories to create the 10-track mini album.

In their 21 years, the band - based at the prestigious Royal Birmingham Conservatoire - have packed out the Royal Albert Hall, and played some of the biggest festivals in the UK.

And 2018 sees the ensemble return to Kendal Calling and Green Man festivals, as well as bring together their full line-up for their one-day mini-festival, Power Folk 5.

That includes guests The Greg Russell & Ciaran Algar Trio, Will Pound, Threaded, Punch The Sky, Gathering Tides, and more.

Standard tickets cost £15, with VIP £30, and doors open at 2pm for a 3pm start. The Conservatoire Folk Ensemble are due to take the stage at 6.30pm.

Joe added: “Our main aim is to send people home a little happier than when they arrived.”

For more info, click here.

As well as the album and festival announcements, the band tour from May through to July, taking in Leek Arts Festival at Foxlowe Arts Centre in Staffordshire on May 24.

For more information on the band, click here.