Folk rock pioneers Steeleye Span will be concluding their 50th anniversary tour at The Courtyard on Thursday, October 18.

Steeleye Span formed in 1969, with the vision of playing folk music in a contemporary, electric band format. Taking their name from the song Horkstow Grange, their debut album Hark! The Village Wait is a pioneering album that set out the blueprint for folk-rock.

With their 50th anniversary fast approaching, and a work rate to put many younger artists to shame, the band’s eighth album in twelve years saw them return to the folk tales and characters that have always been at the heart of the Steeleye sound. The album saw them continue to draw stories of murder, religion, incest, skulls and tormented spirits to once more create an inspired and dark take on the music of the British Isles.

They follow this album with a UK tour that sees them introduce a new seven piece line up, with Roger Carey joining on bass and Benji Kirkpatrick adding bouzouki, acoustic guitar and vocals. With the future of this famous band in such capable hands, the shows will see them breathe life into a selection of famous songs, revisit hidden gems from their long career and perform tracks from the new album.

Audiences coming to a Steeleye Span show can expect to hear many of the familiar classics next to new hits, all delivered with a burning passion and unrivalled experience.

Steeleye Span will be at The Courtyard on Thursday, October 18 at 7.30pm. To book, call the box office on 01432 340555 or visit www.courtyard.org.uk.