The Leylines

Last updated

The Leylines
TheLeylinesGuildford2021.png
The Leylines at G Live, Guildford
Background information
Origin Weston-super-Mare, Somerset, England
Genres Folk rock, indie rock, folk punk
Years active2013-present
Members
  • Steve Mitchell - lead vocals, acoustic guitar
  • Hannah McLeod (née Johns) - violin, backing vocals
  • Dave Burbidge - drums
  • Ben Higgs - electric guitar
  • Sean Booth - bass guitar, backing vocals
Past members
  • James Dyer - drums
  • Peter Fealey - bass guitar
  • Matthew Wilkins - acoustic guitar, backing vocals
  • Dan Thompson - electric guitar, backing vocals
Website theleylinesmusic.co.uk

The Leylines are a folk rock band formed in Weston-super-Mare, Somerset in 2013. The band's violin and guitar driven sound has seen them headline multiple tours across the UK, [1] as well as performing at world renowned festivals, such as Glastonbury Festival, Farmer Phil's Festival, [2] Boomtown Fair and Bearded Theory. To date, The Leylines have released two full studio albums and one EP. In 2019 the band achieved a career highlight of playing to thousands of fans on the Big Top stage at Beautiful Days. [3]

Contents

Early Years: 2013-14

"The name of the band means energy...it means electricity, and when we go into a venue...we feel that energy" - Steve Mitchell [4]

The Leylines were formed in 2013 when founding members Steve Mitchell, formerly of British rock band Evanfly, along with Matthew Wilkins, of the band The Moderations, went to record a series of demos for a new festival band they wanted to form, of which the band The Levellers were a strong influence. They recorded a few tracks at Sawmills Studios with Tony Hobden & Weston College. Upon listening through the tracks the duo decided to enlist Hannah McLeod (née Johns), a local session violinist, into the band. With the trio formed, they also recruited bassist Peter Fealey and drummer James Dyer.

The band's first full band show was in October 2013, supporting 3 Daft Monkeys at Gloucester Guild Hall. On 20 December 2013 the band released the Let It Go E.P., [5] featuring four songs, including the eponymous track Let It Go produced by Tony Hobden in Weston-super-Mare.

Following the release of their first E.P. the band began playing music festivals, such as Watchet Festival, Lakefest, Sat In A Field Festival and Something Else In The Dean Festival, where they built a grassroots fanbase. The band also supported Skinny Lister on their Five Cities Tour in October 2014.

In late 2014, James Dyer made the decision to leave the band to head to university. Following a relatively short period without a drummer, the band announced the recruitment of Bristol-based Dave Burbidge on 9 December 2014.

First Album & Tours: 2015-16

In 2015 the band released their first single, Sat In A Field to raise money for four charities; Myeloma UK, The Nikita Jade Fund, Somewhere House Somerset and the Children's Hospice South West. [6] The same year the band played Lakefest Festival, and one review commented:

"The Leylines never fail to impress and once again their driving take on bawdy folk rock left the audience baying for more, having paid witness to an invigorating set by a band built for the biggest of festival stages." [7]

The band headed to Brighton, UK to record Along The Old Straight Track in February 2016 (see below).

The Leylines' first full UK headlining tour began in February 2017, it was called the "Along The Old Straight Track Tour'". The tour included 19 dates across the UK.

Line-Up Changes & Second Album: 2017-20

During the summer of 2017, the band made their first appearance at Glastonbury Festival, playing four shows at The Bread & Roses bar, Bimble Inn and Toad Hall stages. That same summer, the band made the decision to change up their sound with the inclusion of an electric guitarist, and they chose to recruit their occasional sound engineer, Dan Thompson. Around the same time, bassist Peter Fealey decided to leave the band to focus on his family. Sean Booth was drafted in to replace Peter Fealey and made his debut with the band, a trial by fire, at their first appearance at Beautiful Days Festival 2017 at the Bimble Inn stage.

In March 2018, the band embarked on a pilgrimage to Cornwall, UK to record their second album, Recover Reveal (see below).

Summer 2019 was one of the biggest festival seasons yet for the band, with slots at Glastonbury Festival on the Avalon Cafe Stage and The Big Top at Beautiful Days Festival being amongst the multitude of festivals & events they played.

As part of the Fly AwayTour in Spring 2020, the band were due to travel to The Netherlands, and support the Levellers on their 2020 tour but had to postpone their tour due to the Covid-19 pandemic. They would go on to support the Levellers on their "Levelling The Land 30th Anniversary Tour 2021" in Margate, Guildford and Norwich.

On Saturday 19th September 2020, the band played their only full band live-stream at White Noise Studio in Weston-super-Mare. Subsequently they went on to release a CD of the audio from the live-stream entitled "The Leylines Live From White Noise Studio".

Music

Along the Old Straight Track (2016)

Recorded at Metway Studios, Brighton, UK in February 2016, Along the Old Straight Track is the band's debut studio album.

It was produced by Sean Lakeman and mixed & mastered by Al Scott.

The album received praise from Louder Than War:

"If you buy just one album this year there are eleven excellent reasons as to why it should be The Leylines Along The Old Straight Track.  Quite simply you should buy this album." In fact the album was reviewed positively by multiple sources [8] [9] [10]

The album title is derived from the book, "The Old Straight Track" by Alfred Watkins, in which the book explores the use of Ley lines across the UK.

Recover Reveal (2019)

Recorded at Cube Studio, Truro, Cornwall, UK over two weeks in March 2018, Recover Reveal is the band's second studio album. It was produced by Al Scott, who also mixed & mastered the album.

During the two weeks, the band lived together in a house in Tregullow, Redruth, close to the recording studio.

The album was released on 1 March 2019 and was well received, with airplay on BBC Cambridgeshire (The Folk Show), [11] BBC Gloucestershire (Johnny Coppin) [12] and BBC Shropshire (Genevieve Tudor's Sunday Folk). [13] Reviews for the album were also very positive [14] [15]

"Long-time favourites on the festival scene, The Leylines bring a raucous energy to everything they do. Their sophomore effort is a great representation of their blistering, bighearted folk performed with reckless abandon." - The Musician Magazine [16]

Members

Current members

Former members

Discography

Albums

EPs

Videography

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Levellers (band)</span> English folk rock band

Levellers are an English folk rock and anarcho-punk band formed in Brighton, England, in 1988, consisting of Mark Chadwick, Jeremy Cunningham, Charlie Heather (drums), Jon Sevink (violin), Simon Friend, Matt Savage (keyboards) and Dan Donnelly. Taking their name from the Levellers political movement, the band released their first EP in 1989 and LP in 1990, with international success following upon signing to China Records and the release of their second album Levelling the Land. The band were among the most popular indie bands in Britain in the early 1990s, and performed at the Glastonbury Festival, first in 1992, then in 1994, where they performed as the headline act on The Pyramid Stage to a record crowd of 300,000 people. They continue to record and tour.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ocean Colour Scene</span> English rock band

Ocean Colour Scene are an English rock band formed in Birmingham in 1989. They have had five top 10 albums including a number one in 1997. They have also achieved seventeen top 40 singles and six top 10 singles to date.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">EMF (band)</span> Alternative rock band

EMF are an English alternative rock band from Cinderford, Gloucestershire, who came to prominence at the beginning of the 1990s. During their initial eight-year run, from 1989 to 1997, the band released three studio albums before a hiatus. Their first single, "Unbelievable", reached number 3 on the UK Singles Chart, and was a number 1 hit on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. Their debut album, Schubert Dip, went to number 3 on the UK Albums Chart. In April 2022, EMF released their first album of new material in 27 years, Go Go Sapiens.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nick Harper</span> English singer-songwriter and guitarist

Nick Harper is an English singer-songwriter and guitarist. He is the son of English folk musician Roy Harper.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Seth Lakeman</span> Musical artist

Seth Bernard Lakeman is an English singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, who is most often associated with the fiddle and tenor guitar, but also plays the viola and banjo. Nominated for the 2005 Mercury Music Prize, Lakeman has belonged to several musical ensembles, including one with his two brothers, fellow folk musicians Sam Lakeman and Sean Lakeman, but has most recently established himself as a solo act.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bellowhead</span> English folk band

Bellowhead is an English contemporary folk band, active from 2004 to 2016, reforming in 2020. The eleven-piece act played traditional dance tunes, folk songs and shanties, with arrangements drawing inspiration from a wide range of musical styles and influences. The band included percussion and a four-piece brass section. Bellowhead's bandmembers played more than 20 instruments among them, whilst all performers provided vocals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jim Moray</span> English folk musician (1981–)

Jim Moray is an English folk singer, multi-instrumentalist and record producer.

Dan Donnelly is a Northern Irish singer-songwriter and a member of the Levellers since 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">3 Daft Monkeys</span> British band

3 Daft Monkeys are a world music-influenced acoustic band from Cornwall, UK, consisting of Tim Ashton, Athene Roberts, Rich Mulryne, and Jamie Graham. The instrumentation consists of vocals, fiddle, twelve-string guitar, bass guitar and percussion. The band's musical influences include Celtic, Balkan, Romani, Latino, electronic dance, reggae, dub, punk rock, and traditional folk music.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Noah and the Whale</span> British indie rock band

Noah and the Whale were a British indie rock and folk band from Twickenham, formed in 2006. The band's last line-up consisted of Charlie Fink, Tom Hobden (violin/keyboards), Matt "Urby Whale" Owens, Fred Abbott (guitar/keys) and Michael Petulla (drums). Doug Fink (drums), the brother of lead singer Charlie, and Laura Marling were also past members of the band.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Newton Faulkner</span> Musical artist

Sam Newton Battenberg Faulkner is an English singer-songwriter and musician from Reigate, Surrey. He is known for his percussive style of guitar playing. In 2007 Faulkner's debut studio album Hand Built by Robots was certified double platinum in the United Kingdom. The album topped the UK Albums Chart in August 2007. It was promoted by three singles, "Dream Catch Me", "I Need Something" and "Teardrop". "Dream Catch Me" reached number seven on the UK Singles Charts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mumford & Sons</span> British folk rock band

Mumford & Sons are a British folk rock band formed in London in 2007. The band consists of Marcus Mumford, Ted Dwane, and Ben Lovett.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ophiuchus (band)</span>

Ophiuchus are a folk/roots rock group from Castle Combe, Wiltshire, England, formed in 1986 by twin brothers - guitarist Jon and bassist Simon Cousins, with saxophonist Pat D'Arcy and photographer, graphic designer Martin Tom Sawyer.

Goatboy was an eclectic rock band blending blues, hip-hop, drum n' bass and stoner rock. Formed in Swansea, South Wales in 1999 by Nik Jenkins, Rod Thomas and Ben Jones.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Spector (band)</span> British music band

Spector are a British indie rock band from London, composed of Frederick Macpherson, Jed Cullen (guitar), Nicolas Py (drums) and Danny Blandy. They’ve released three albums and one compilation. The band's debut album Enjoy It While It Lasts reached number 12 in the UK Albums Chart and went to number one on the Official Record Store Chart on the week of its release.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Dunwells</span> English rock band

The Dunwells are an English rock band, formed in Leeds in 2009. The group consists of brothers Joseph Dunwell (vocals) and David Dunwell, along with friends Adam Taylor and Rob Clayton.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Daughter (band)</span> English indie folk band

Daughter is an English indie folk trio. Fronted by North London native Elena Tonra, the band was formed in 2010 after the addition of American-born Swiss guitarist Igor Haefeli and drummer Remi Aguilella from France. They have released four EPs and three albums, and are currently signed to Glassnote and 4AD (Europe). After playing the local London circuit, they toured supporting Ben Howard around Europe and have since played headlining tours around North America, Europe and Australia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blackbeard's Tea Party</span>

Blackbeard's Tea Party are a contemporary folk rock band based in York, England. The five-piece band plays a mix of traditional folk songs as well as covers of more recent songs from the folk genre. They are also known for their instrumental arrangements of traditional and modern folk tunes, as well as self-penned material. Blackbeard's Tea Party function as both a concert and ceilidh band and have become well known on the English festival circuit, having performed at mainstream festivals including the Glastonbury Festival, Larmer Tree Festival & Bingley Music Live, as well as folk festivals such as Fairport's Cropredy Convention, Towersey Festival and the Cambridge, Bromyard, Shrewsbury & Sidmouth folk festivals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ferocious Dog</span> English musical group

Ferocious Dog are an English folk punk band from Warsop, Nottinghamshire, England. The band has headlined tours of the UK and Europe, performed in Dubai, festivals such as Bearded Theory, Alchemy, Deerstock, Farmer Phil's Festival, Splendour and Beautiful Days, and toured in support of New Model Army, The Levellers and The Wonder Stuff. In 2015 the band played in the Field of Avalon at Glastonbury Festival, attracting the third largest crowd to the stage over the course of the weekend.

<i>Blackhouse</i> (album) 2015 studio album by Peatbog Faeries

Blackhouse is the seventh studio album by Scottish celtic fusion band Peatbog Faeries, released in May 2015 by the band's label Peatbog Records. After recording their acclaimed album Dust (2011), the band played live for the following few years, during which time fiddler Peter Tickell left the band, to be replaced by Ross Couper. As the band had not recorded an album for some years, they returned to record Blackhouse mainly in a cottage in Kilchoan, Ardnamurchan during 2014, although recording continued into 2015. Their first album with Touper, and their first without a brass section since Welcome to Dun Vegas (2003), Blackhouse was produced by Calum MacLean and displays a very eclectic array of genres, fusing the band's Scottish celtic roots with genres such as jazz, funk, reggae, dance and house.

References

  1. West, The Reviews Hub-South (15 November 2018). "NEWS: West Country band The Leylines launch second tour of 2018". The Reviews Hub. Retrieved 5 November 2019.
  2. admin (10 August 2016). "Sat in a field with The Leylines!". Farmer Phil's Festival. Retrieved 7 November 2019.
  3. david.wilson. "Gig review: BEAUTIFUL DAYS FESTIVAL – Escot Park, Devon, 16-18 August 2019". Get Ready to ROCK! News | Reviews | Interviews | Radio. Retrieved 1 November 2019.
  4. The Leylines - 'Not Quite Folk' Documentary (EPK) , retrieved 24 September 2019
  5. "The Leylines - Let It Go EP". Discogs. Retrieved 6 November 2019.
  6. Parker, Report by Becky. "Weston folk band releases charity single". Weston Mercury. Retrieved 6 November 2019.
  7. Munn, Will (September 2015). "Slap Magazine - Issue 51 - Page 7" (PDF). www.slapmag.co.uk.
  8. admin (4 July 2016). "The Leylines, Along The Old Straight Track. Album Review". Liverpool Sound and Vision. Retrieved 5 November 2019.
  9. Editor, Author (6 July 2016). "THE LEYLINES – Along The Old Straight Track (own label)". Folking.com. Retrieved 5 November 2019.{{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  10. "FATEA - Home". www.fatea-records.co.uk. Retrieved 7 November 2019.
  11. "BBC Radio Cambridgeshire - The Folk Show, 18/03/2019". BBC. Retrieved 5 November 2019.
  12. "BBC Radio Gloucestershire - Johnny Coppin, 01/07/2019". BBC. Retrieved 5 November 2019.
  13. "BBC Radio Shropshire - Genevieve Tudor's Sunday Folk, New from the folk pigeon". BBC. Retrieved 5 November 2019.
  14. "The Leylines (those 'not quite folk') new studio album and tour". Spiral Earth. 20 March 2019. Retrieved 5 November 2019.
  15. Editor, Author (21 February 2019). "THE LEYLINES – Recover Reveal (own label)". Folking.com. Retrieved 6 November 2019.{{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  16. Ames, Keith, Short, Tom (Spring 2019). "The Musician Magazine". The Musician: 43.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)