Concert is sweet music for flood fund

Four cracking acts are giving their time for free, headed up by the stunning Edwina Hayes, described by The Guardian as a ‘Haunting honeyed solo songwriter’ who has toured with Jools Holland and Van Morrison as well as playing at Glastonbury.

The Acoustic Durbervilles, come next, a three piece group known to Radio Leeds listeners through their Sunday evening “Durbervilles Folk and Roots show”, described by R2 magazine as “the rootsy edge of Steve Earle & Lindisfarne and with a folkie’s grasp of instrumentals.”

Next is Dr Butler’s Hatstand Medicine Band who play early blues and jazz forms, a sprinkle of ragtime, a dash of hot swing, the essence of sweet spiritual, a pinch of the oldest of old-timey melodies and a teaspoon of Vaudevillian and Music Hall showoffery.

All whisked together with the most esoteric of folk rhythms.

Finally there is Pepperjam, from Hebden Bridge, a nine piece band, a number of whom have been flooded themselves.

Described by NME as’...a lava flow of rhythm, the audience responded with their feet...’ this local band are not interested in playing diluted and pale imitations/ versions of someone else’s music, they set out from the very beginning to do their own thing.

Their sets gets people on the floor from the off, high energy dance vibe, great tunes played with total commitment, passion and ability.

This great line up is washed down with a bar featuring Bridestones Beer, whose Hebden Bridge Shop was under 5 foot of water on Boxing Day, hot food served up by Jacks House Pub’s outside catering team – another business badly affected by the floods and with hot drinks and cake from the team at the Unitarian Church.

Advance tickets can be bought for £10 from Physio & Therapies in Todmorden, on Eventbrite (with an extra booking fee) and on the door (doors open at 6 pm).