FOLK at Wolverhampton Arts Centre

04/09/2025

🎤 One Last Question for Martin…

Our final question for Martin Simpson ahead of his gig with us next week!

Q: And finally, why should people come to your Wolverhampton gig?
🗣️ Martin: “I hope that people will come to my Wolverhampton gig because I think my gigs are better than they’ve ever been. I have a collection of material which I think is fascinating and moving and I hope, beautiful. It would be wonderful to play them to you.”

When one of Britain’s finest says he’s at his best… you don’t miss the moment. That’s the kind of promise you don’t want to miss.

🎟️ Book now for Martin Simpson at Wolverhampton Arts Centre on Saturday 13 Sept → https://tinyurl.com/yxrwe373

28/08/2025

For the Folk-Unfamiliar - We’re continuing our Q&A series with Martin Simpson ahead of his gig this September, asking the kind of questions new audiences might be wondering too.

Q: What would you say to our non-folk audiences to tempt them to come and try our folk programme?
🗣️ Martin: “I think people would be most pleasantly surprised by how much they would enjoy the musicality, the uplifting tunes, the songs and the storytelling involved in folk music.”

Come for the storytelling, stay because you didn’t expect to feel that much from a single guitar.

🎟️ Martin Simpson – live at Wolverhampton Arts Centre, 13 September
👉 https://wolverhamptonartscentre.co.uk/events/martin-simpson/

26/08/2025

🎤 Martin Simpson Q&A #7 – The One That Stays With You

Before he takes to the stage this September, we’ve been asking Martin Simpson a few thoughtful (and slightly nosy) questions. His answers? Well worth a read.

Q: Is there a song that surprises you with how deeply audiences respond?
🗣️ Martin: “My song, 'Never Any Good', about my father, has the ability to move people to an extraordinary extent, which is very gratifying and sometimes quite shocking.”

We found a live version on YouTube, if you’ve got 5 minutes and a quiet moment, give it a listen. It might sit with you longer than you expect.

🎧 Watch it here: https://youtu.be/z1yK96KKoQQ?si=ORkfKQO8dKs5ml5t

Tickets for Martin Simpson here: https://wolverhamptonartscentre.co.uk/events/martin-simpson/

A little taste of the excellent Martin Simpson concert captured on the 'Prodigal Son - The Concert' DVD.

22/08/2025

🚨 Job Alert: Front of House Manager Wanted!

Love the buzz of live events? Got a calm head and a warm welcome? We’re hiring a Front of House Manager to help run the show at Wolverhampton Arts Centre.

You’ll lead event staff, manage the bar, keep things running smoothly across our theatre and venue spaces, and make sure every visitor feels at home.

🗓️ Deadline: Friday 12 Sept, noon
🎯 Interviews: Weds 17 Sept
👉 Find out more & apply now: https://tinyurl.com/2k73c394

21/08/2025

We’re continuing our Q&A series with guitar legend Martin Simpson as we gear up for his gig on 13 September at Wolverhampton Arts Centre. Each week, we’re asking Martin a few thoughtful (and occasionally nosy) questions about his music, process and pre-show life.

Q: Do you have any pre-show rituals or superstitions?
🗣️ Martin: “No superstitions but I do like changing strings and playing the guitar.”

No need for lucky socks drama. Just a little pre-show tinkering and a guitar that knows who's boss.

🎟️ Catch Martin in full flow on 13 September at Wolverhampton Arts Centre
👉 Grab your tickets - https://tinyurl.com/yxrwe373

20/08/2025

📅 Folk fans, get your calendars out...
Here’s your full autumn–winter folk season in one handy pic.
Save the dates, spread the word, and we’ll see you down the front.

More info: https://tinyurl.com/3bj5y3px

19/08/2025

We’re back with another question for the legendary Martin Simpson, as we count down to his September gig at Wolverhampton Arts Centre.

Q: How do you decide when a song is finished – or is it ever really finished?
🗣️ Martin: “Songs make it very clear to me when they’re finished, and it’s usually a great relief as I don’t necessarily find it easy to write songs.”

A relief for him – a total win for us.

🎟️ Martin Simpson live on Saturday 13 September. Come and hear them for yourself - https://tinyurl.com/yxrwe373

14/08/2025

🌳 Leaf It to Martin!
We’re continuing our Q&A with Martin Simpson ahead of his September gig at Wolverhampton Arts Centre, sharing a little insight into the stories and sparks behind his music. Keep an eye out for more answers over the coming weeks

Q: What’s the most unexpected object or sound that’s inspired one of your songs?
🗣️ Martin: “I’m currently writing a song about an Elm tree which is a survivor of Dutch Elm disease.”

Nature’s resilience captured in song. We’re intrigued to hear this one… sounds like it’s got some serious roots!

Stay with us – more Q&A answers coming soon.
🎟️ Book tickets now for gig: https://tinyurl.com/yxrwe373

12/08/2025

Even the masters have musical heroes! We’re continuing our Q&A with Martin Simpson ahead of his September gig at Wolverhampton Arts Centre.

Q: What’s a song you secretly wish you’d written?
🗣️ Martin: “‘Amelia’ by Joni Mitchell.”

"People will tell you where they've gone / They'll tell you where to go / But 'til you get there yourself, you never really know" ...We could tell you to come to Martin’s gig… but you’ll never really know until you’re there.

Take a moment to listen to Amelia on YouTube, then join us this autumn to hear one of England’s most revered folk performers and widely acknowledged as one of the finest acoustic and slide guitar players in the world!

🎧 Watch here: https://tinyurl.com/2s3fh34h
🎟️ Book for Martin Simpson, 13th September, Wolverhampton Arts Centre: https://tinyurl.com/yxrwe373

AMELIA (HEJIRA)

07/08/2025

🎤 We’re continuing our Q&A series with the legendary Martin Simpson ahead of his Wolverhampton Arts Centre gig this autumn. Keep following along as we share more insights from one of the UK’s most celebrated folk artists.

Q: What was the first song you ever wrote, and do you still perform it?
🗣️ Martin: “First song I ever wrote was called ‘Sitting Lonely’ and it was most adolescent. I certainly don’t sing it now.”
🎻 Us: Whatever you do, don’t sit lonely at home, join us for an evening with one of folk’s finest.
Want to hear what he does perform now? Book now - https://tinyurl.com/yxrwe373

05/08/2025

We’re not quite into autumn yet… but the first folk gig of the season is definitely on the horizon! 🍂

To warm things up, we asked the legendary Martin Simpson a few questions ahead of his show at Wolverhampton Arts Centre on Friday 13th September. We’ll be sharing his answers over the coming weeks so expect insight, wit, and maybe the odd surprise.

Q: What’s on your rider?
A: Snickers bars and 2 bananas.

A perfect balance of energy and elegance, much like his guitar playing. We’ll try not to eat them before he gets here.

📅 Catch Martin live in Wolverhampton this autumn - https://tinyurl.com/yxrwe373

24/07/2025

How many artists get nominated 32 times for the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards? Just one. And he’s returning to Wolverhampton this September.

https://wolverhamptonartscentre.co.uk/events/martin-simpson/

📸 Andy Muscroft