Richard Grainger: Northern Bard Keeps the Tradition Vibrant

Richard Grainger first performed in the Folk Clubs of North-East England during the 80’s and was a member of several musical partnerships, including the five - piece Teesside Fettlers and an early duo with Charles O’Connor, later of HORSLIPS fame.

Since 1993 he is often heard accompanied by multi-instrumentalist Chris Parkinson. However, it’s as a solo performer he’s best known, touring throughout the UK & Eire, Europe, the USA, Canada, Australia and this will be Richard’s 4th tour of New Zealand.

Born in Middlesbrough in industrial Teesside on the North-East Coast, much of Richard’s ancestry is rooted in the North York Moors. So it was, that hugely inspired by his roots and local heritage, he become a prolific poet and songwriter.

Since recording his first album in 1984, he has produced 13 albums of original and traditional songs, many of which have a connection to the region’s maritime heritage and industrial past.

Among a large and varied repertoire are songs of Ironstone Miners (his great grandad was one), Whitby’s Whaling and Fishing days, Teesside’s steel industry, and the lives of working folk. There are also a great variety of songs on themes from love and romance to war, disasters on land and sea to those concerning man’s impact on the environment.

He also has a keen sense of humour with audiences warming quickly to him and his relaxed style.

Richard Grainger’s songs are performed by many artists in the UK, USA and Canada and are broadcast widely over the radio at home and abroad. Recently played on BBC Radio3, he has also featured on Robson Green’s ‘Coastal Lives’ (ITV).

His latest production is a compilation album, ‘Blood of the Land’, released in 2021 and in the same year he re-released the CD of his folk -opera ‘Eye of the Wind’, produced in conjunction with the BBC in 2003 and featuring Sir David Attenborough as narrator.

With a new studio album on the way, Richard is most definitely still rolling on.

Sitting Room Session; Napier, New Zealand 27 Sept 2018
"My cup overflowed with the many Yorkshire yarns that Richard spun and wove for us in a land on the other side of the world yet connected to his whenua through Captain Cook and the Endeavour, which was built in Whitby before voyaging to New Zealand and Hawkes Bay.
I felt I came home for the night – the part of my heart that I left in Yorkshire skipped a beat or two".

London (Loughton) Folk Club – ‘dynamic performer..writes unforgettable wonderful songs’

Reserve your seats here: https://forms.gle/h15gb95jGhz3Zw3N7

Doors open 7pm. Performance starts at 7.30pm

The hall is situated up the long driveway, directly next to Domain Park, and there is plenty of well-lit off-street parking.
Door sales cash only: Tea, coffee, biscuits and cake available during the break, also bar facilities for cold refreshments throughout the night, Eftpos available for purchases only, no cash-out facility. Folk Club and Irish Society members please remember to bring your membership card for licensing purposes. Non-members sign in at bar.