SNL: Duncan McFarlane Band

Saturday Night Live

The Award winning Duncan McFarlane Band have gone from strength to strength since forming in 2001, ostensibly for a one-off pub gig as part of Otley Festival. The original ‘scratch band’ blew the place apart, the packed house loved it and further bookings were offered. They felt compelled to continue and have never looked back, with increasing main stage festival appearances over the years at such as Beverley, Ely, Sidmouth, Shrewsbury (dMb have now played those last two twice!)

Two decades and many five-star albums later, they are still built round Duncan’s acoustic & electric guitar work, his songwriting & Trad arrangements. The powerhouse rhythm section of Nick Pepper (drums) and Martin Ward (bass guitar) are elevated to yet greater heights by Anne Brivonese’s fiddle, Steve Fairholme’s melodeon and Steve Foster’s electric guitar.

In January 2025 the dMb won the public vote at the UK west Coast Folk Festival held in Blackpool’s Winter Gardens.

Their heady blend of traditional folk and Duncan’s Trad-infused compositions, with driving rhythm and vibrant energy, has gone down a storm with festival audiences across the UK – don’t miss ‘em!

‘Classic folk-rock sound of punchy bass lines and solid, driving rhythms abound. There’s also a quality of delivery, vocal authority, stunning lead riffs, plus neat accordion and fiddle interplay. A real master class in just how to do the folk-rock thing right!’ – R2

‘Absolutely great; Chock full of great stuff, really powerful playing and singing. He writes some great material that guy and I love their lively versions of traditional folk songs’ – Mike Harding

The sort of timeless English folk-rock that’s all too rare these days, a rocking collection of traditional and original songs with a very English feel – Dirty Linen (USA Folk magazine)

TICKETS £10 available from HEART reception and online

Doors 7pm Music 7.15pm