FOUR of the country’s finest and most influential folk artists will be performing a special gig at the Ludlow Assembly Rooms on Sunday, May 18 as part of their current UK tour.

Kan, a super-group starring Lau’s Aidan O’Rourke and Flook’s Brian Finnegan, have established themselves as one of the most exciting and inventive bands on the British folk scene. Kan meld together a plethora of influences, ranging from Irish flute and Scottish fiddle through to sounds gleaned from the continent including Breton dance and Asturian jigs.

The band also has a unique performing style, playing without a lead musician and instead working together as a quartet. “The drums”, they comment, “are just as important as the fiddle”.

The end product is soulful and powerful folk music of exactly the calibre you would expect from a group which counts among its members the recent BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards’ Musician of the Year (O’Rourke). Unsurprisingly, Kan have built up a strong and dedicated following across the country and their debut album, Sleeper, was warmly received by critics.

“We’re absolutely thrilled to announce that Kan are coming to the Ludlow Assembly Rooms," says marketing and publicity office Tony Johnston. "The supremely talented folk foursome have perfected the craft of writing bold, beautiful pieces and I’m sure this is a night out that everyone will enjoy – from our loyal folk audience to those who fancy trying something a little bit different."

To book, call the box office on 01584 878141 or visit ludlowassemblyrooms.co.uk.