Resilient Records presents: Kathryn Tickell & The Darkening

Northumbrian smallpipes player, fiddler and composer Kathryn Tickell brings her ensemble The Darkening for an evening of expansive regional folk music.

Formed in the shadow of Hadrian’s Wall, the band links the ancient history, landscape and musical traditions of North-East England with modern influences. Their sound centres on the Northumbrian smallpipes – a bellows-blown instrument with a closed chanter that produces a distinctively crisp, staccato tone – alongside fiddle, vocals, accordion, guitar, lyres, synth and drums.

Tickell’s career spans four decades, drawing on the heritage of Northumbrian shepherds alongside collaborations across jazz, orchestral and pop music. Joined by Amy Thatcher, Heather Cartwright, Joe Truswell and Stef Conner, the quintet combines centuries-old melodies and mythology with contemporary arrangements, driving rhythms and dynamic acoustic instrumentation.