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North West comedy and folk group The Houghton Weavers are coming to Preston with their 2024 autumn/winter tour.
Jim Berry, Steve Millington and their guest musicians will be at Preston Playhouse on Wednesday 30 October. They also play Longridge Civic Hall on Saturday 9 November, and Chorley Theatre on Saturday 28 December.
The Houghton Weavers have been entertaining for many years with their unique blend of popular folk music, humour and audience participation, and have recorded over 30 albums.
Their annual autumn/winter tour brings stories and songs to the stage, with an added touch of festive fun on their December concerts.
Having recently been one of the Headline Acts at The Great British Folk Festival, their single Wild Mountain Thyme appeared in the Heritage Charts Top 40 and is set to be featured in the soon to be released film, Between Weathers.
To coincide with this year’s tour, The Houghton Weavers have released their brand-new single, Spanish Lady, featuring the touring musicians of the band.
Band member Steve said: “I began my tenure with The Houghton Weavers for a Christmas Tour, so the winter concerts will always have a special place in my heart. That planned one-off six-week-stint has become almost 30 years so far, and I’ve enjoyed working with all of the original members in that time.
“Over the last three decades, I’ve been privileged to record, arrange and produce 22 of The Houghton Weavers records.
“It’s a creative pleasure working with Jim both on stage and in the studio. This winter, we’ll be joined by some world-class guest musicians and I’m so looking forward to making music with them all.
“I am very much looking forward to this year’s tour, meeting up with all our fans and friends, and of course making some new ones, so please come along and enjoy a fun-packed evening with The Houghton Weavers!”
Jim added: “In my teens and early twenties I performed with my brother Tony as The Berry Brothers, doing folk and show songs. I was later in a group called Auld Triangle, based at Westhoughton Folk Club, with Norman Prince, before the Weavers started.
“I have played with the Weavers many times before joining the group full time in 2017. As well as singing and playing guitar and harmonica, I write songs and poetry and have released three books of poems and lyrics.
“I have spent many years busking in France but now I love being one of The Houghton Weavers and entertaining with Steve, singing songs, telling tales, poems and the odd corny joke! I’m lucky to be stood where our Tony stood.”
With a large and active fan club and growing social media following, The Houghton Weavers’ motto is ‘Keep Folk Smiling’.
The show is designed for all the family to enjoy. Audiences will hear old favourites such as Blackpool Belle, Sit Thi Deawn, Matchstalk Men and Dirty Old Town, together with new songs and original poems, plus audience requests thrown in to make every show a little different.
Their December shows will also include a warming mix of festive tunes to get you in the Christmas spirit.
For more information, visit The Houghton Weavers website.
