The Breath, supported by Basset

The Breath is Manchester-based guitarist Stuart McCallum and singer/flautist Ríoghnach Connolly. They met on the city’s gig circuit in the late noughties. An unlikely pairing though it was, he an acclaimed guitar whiz, ex long-time member of The Cinematic Orchestra and a softly spoken Manchester urbanite, she a folk singer with a larger-than-life personality and a powerful voice to match. Their connection was immediate; they formed The Breath in 2016, a singer-songwriter duo to present their contemporary take on alt-folk.

Ríoghnach Connolly receive an RTÉ Folk Award nomination for Best Folk Singer and win Folk Singer Of The Year at the 2019 BBC R2 Folk Awards for which the duo were also nominated as Best Duo/Group.

“An affecting blend… McCallum provides the grandeur and artifice and Connolly the intimacy and purity.” Uncut

“The Breath rolls across the senses like clouds caress low hills – always moving, changing, evolving; and utterly fascinating.” Folk Radio.com

“Folk roots but different horizons… the jaw-droppingly stunning, woozy voice of Ríoghnach Connolly.” The Guardian

Support is from Toronto-based roots duo, Basset. This duo are full of timeless heart, with deeply human lyrics and stunning duo harmonies reminiscent of the early folk revival. Yasmine Shelton has one of those instantly recognisable voices that can dive, dip and soar all in a single phrase, while Sam Clark brings nuanced and tasteful support on guitar and other acoustic instruments.

Running time approx. 2 hours 20mins including interval.