ABOUT US
The Meadows are a vibrant multi-instrumentalist Celtic-Crossover folk band, all drawn from one. family. Bringing cutting-edge techniques and an exciting, contemporary vibe to their performances, the band play original works which weave between foot stomping reels to rich vocal harmonies, taking their audiences on a spellbinding journey.
After completing the E.P. ‘Through the Fayre’, they toured theatres and concert venues across Great Britain with a self-produced original show, Celtic Journey, alongside the international soprano Kristyn Murphy from Maine. During the tour, they performed live on television networks and BBC Radio Wales where listeners contacted the station to ask whether their performance really had been live.
2019 began with the release of the single ‘Maid of Culmore’ followed by their tour of music venues and festivals with the launch of their first full-length album. Inspired by the songs, stories and history of the British and Irish coastline, 'Force of the Tide' delves into our rich seafaring heritage, with music ranging from the beautiful Welsh language maritime lullaby ‘Si Hei Lwli Mabi’ to ‘Maid in Bedlam’, a sorrowful lament of a girl kept in chains at the infamous Bedlam Asylum after her true love was sent to sea. Alongside are three uptempo tunes including the Welsh medley 'Bedd y Morwr' and 'Hen Ferchetan’. The album went on win Fatea’s ‘Debut Album of the Year’ award and was nominated for the 2019 Sound Board Magazine Awards among the top four artists from Wales in the ‘Best Album’ category. During lockdown, the band have been working on their follow-up album and are releasing their first single through Welsh Soundboard’s new SWND label, followed by a beautiful song written for the band by the legendary Steve Balsamo.
The Meadows have twice played at Glasgow’s Celtic Connections, the International Music Eisteddfod in Llangollen, the Fishguard Folk Festival, How the Light Gets In, The Little Big Gig, Cardiff’s WMC and many other festivals and events along with regular airplay on national and international radio and T.V. networks. A number of their works have debuted on BBC radio. The band has been showcased by Fatea Magazine as one of the best emerging U.K. Folk bands. They have been Classically-trained under some of Britain's finest musicians including Prof. Barry Haskey (BBC NOW retired leader), Matthew Featherstone (BBC NOW Principle Flute), Christopher Williams (BBC NOW & WNO piano), the late Eva Stewart (BBC NOW Principle Piccolo), Marie-Christine Zupancic (CBSO Principle Flute) and the world-renowned contemporary flute composer Prof. Ian Clarke (Guildhall).
Recent Feedback: -
“Beautiful, absolutely gorgeous!” Frank Hennessy, Celtic Heartbeat, BBC Radio Wales
“Wonderfully talented music family.” Jamie Owen, BBC Wales
"Such a beautiful recording, from such an unaffected band. And hugely, luminously talented too, of course... Don't let anyone change or spoil you. I imagine that is the last thing anyone could do... Transfixingly beautiful!” Adam Walton, BBC Radio Wales
“A lovely, lovely album, and for me one of the nicest albums I’ve heard this year so far!” John O’Regan, Eclectic Celt
“A hugely confident and impressive debut that see them comfortably ride the tide to wider recognition.” Mike Davies, Folking.com
“These guys are something special, with a deep and sincere passion for preserving the folk songs and tales of the British Isles…The Meadows bring each track lovingly to life restoring them to their former glory and infusing them with a beauty rarely heard in 2019… There’s something magical about the way their vocals weave in amongst each other on these tracks and the playing is impassioned and faultless…just beautiful from start to finish.” Michael Kennedy, Sound Board Magazine
“The girls’ harmonies just cannot be beat.” Mick Tems, Folk Wales
“It's traditional folk that would be welcome at any club or festival across the country but they've also managed to put their own stamp on some very well known pieces with a fresh approach and willingness to experiment.” Tony Birch, Fatea Magazine
“The Meadows brought the house down at Rumney Folk Club tonight! Beautiful!” Clare James
