Latest News

A new album and a new Live CD from 1974 plus Spring & Autumn 2024 tours..all details below

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Cam Ye O'er Frae France - Live 1973

Newly posted on YouTube is Steeleye's performance on the 'Midnight Special' episode from 30th November 1973. It's in great quality but was a one off performance sadly. It was recorded on 15th October at the 'Rainbow Room Theatre' in London. Click on image to jump straight to Steeleye.

New CD - 'Steeleye Span Live at the Bottom Line 1974'

Released by Omnivore Recordings on the 16th Feb 2024 is a high quality live show from 4th July 1974 recorded at the Bottom Line club, New York. 
An important release as it has the only officially available recordings of a few tracks that were only played live at the time and were never recorded for a studio album: The song 'Beg Your Leave (Pace Egging Song)' which often opened the show at the time; The trio of 'Pastoral' songs - 'Summer is a Comin' In'; 'Staines Morris'; 'In Peasecod Time'.  Plus there are various additional tunes not recorded, plus the 'Nautical Medley' which was sung as an encore in 1974. And finally a live release for Alison Gross, the first from the 70's.
It is available on all the usual streaming services as well as on YouTube. CD not available yet in the UK but..
The CD (and a digital download) is now available from Omnivore Recordings in the US, click on the image below.

Simon Jones gives a good summary and review of this album and 'Traitors Wages' (below) on the Spiral Earth website. 

Available 2nd Feb 2024. Click on image to pre order

New CD/Album - 'The Green Man Collection'

On 1st December '23 a new Steeleye Span collection was released. The album features 6 new studio recordings, tracks from recent albums and two live songs from 2018. Details of all the tracks featured on this collection are HERE.  All are available to listen on YouTube; Spotify; Apple Music etc.
Click image to purchase the CD from Park Records or the button below for more information about the album and tracks featured. 

The title track is a new recording of a 'lost' Steeleye song written by Bob Johnson in the 80's. Both tracks appear on the new collection. 
Album review by Simon Jones can be read HERE

Hard Times of Old England (Feat. Francis Rossi) 

This track also got a single (streamed only) single release. A lyrics video can be heard on youtube here or click on video. 

Jack Hall (2023) Alternative mix

The newly recorded Jack Hall also features on a recent Ukraine Charity album 'Heal The Sky' put together by Russian Rock/Folk Star Boris Grebenshikov . This version has added Boris vocals, alternative backing vocals by Maddy along with additional guitar parts by Spud Sinclair giving the song a much more dynamic mix. This mix is available on Youtube, Spotify etc (Under the 'Heal the Sky' Album)

Traitor's Wages (Live 1973) 

Live album (Streaming services only) from the 1973 US Tour, recorded at the Sigma Sound Studios on the 17th or 18th April 1973. Released Jan 2024.

Another release of a classic Steeleye concert. This one is interesting as it's the only released concert featuring the drum-less '72/73 line up. Available on Spotify/Apple etc. There is a 'but' with this release though. It sounds like a cleaned up bootleg or 'off air' recording rather than the original soundboard recording. So we are not sure how 'official' this recording is as no other details are known other than it appearing on streaming services. 

Ups & Downs, Oak Tree/Pigeon On the Gate, Weaver and the Factory Maid, Spotted Cow, Saucy Sailor, Poetry Reading, Bank Of Ireland/Lucy Campbell/Duffy the Dancer, Cam Ye O'er Frae France, Gaudete, Royal Forester, Truck Driving Man, Reels

2024 Tour Dates

2024 Spring UK Steeleye 55th Anniversary Tour

Billed as the '55th Anniversary Green Man Tour' the tour will still be promoting last Decembers new album - 'The Green Man Collection'. A new studio album is planned for 2024 but looks like we will have to wait until the Autumn when another tour is taking place. Athena Octavia will be on violin once again.

The venues chosen mark a 10th Return to the Wyvern (Swindon), an 8th to The Brewhouse (Taunton) and a 9th to St Albans Arena. 1st visits to the venues in Carlisle, Bath, Falmouth, Wrexham if not the actual towns.

PR: " Together for 55 years now, Steeleye Span changed the face of folk music forever by taking it into the world of gold discs and international tours. New album The Green Man Collection brings together tracks from their recent releases with new versions of three classics, including a reworking of Hard Times featuring Status Quo’s Francis Rossi, a cover of Elvis Costello's Shipbuilding and the title track, a previously lost Bob Johnson hit from the 1980s. Their new tour follows this release where they will be joined by new violinist Athena Octavia. As ever – and with such a rich history to choose from – the night will offer a selection of songs from across the years and firm fan favourites."

Wed 1st May Old Fire Station Carlisle. Cap. 220 (Sold out)
Thu 2nd May Burnley Mechanics, Burnley
Fri 3rd May City Varieties, Leeds
Sat 4th May Lancaster Grand Theatre, Lancaster
Mon 6th May Parr Hall, Warrington.
Tue 7th May The William Aston Theatre, Wrexham
Wed 8th May Town Hall, Loughborough 
Fri 10th May Stratford Play House, Stratford-upon-Avon
Sun 12th May The Brewhouse , Taunton
Mon 13th May The Palace Theatre, Paignton
Tue 14th May Princess Pavilion Falmouth
Wed 15th May Bath Forum, Bath
Fri 17th May The Alban Arena, St Albans
Sat 18th May Theatre Royal, Winchester
Sun 19th May, Swan Theatre, Worcester
Mon 20th May, Wyvern Theatre, Swindon
Wed 22nd May Chelmsford Theatre, Chelmsford


2024 Festivals

3-7th July New Forest Folk Festival 

Fri 2nd Aug Sidmouth Folk Festival (Pre Festival Special concert)

 

2024 Autumn UK Steeleye 55th Anniversary Tour

The first dates are in for an Autumn tour in 2024, probably celebrating the 55th Anniversary but should mainly be a 'new album' tour.


Returning to the Beck Theatre for first time since 2015, it is actually Steeleye's 2nd most played venue (17 gigs). The Roses Theatre, where they are also revisiting is not far behind at 15 visits. (Number 1 visited Steeleye venue is the New Theatre in Oxford as it happens) 


Wed 2nd Oct Queens Hall Art Centre, Hexham.
Sun 6th Oct Roses Theatre, Tewksbury.
Tue 15th Oct The Beck Theatre, Hayes
Tue 29th Oct Fareham Live, Fareham. New venue opening September


2024 - Maddy Prior & Forgotten Lands Tour & Festival

New solo live act from Maddy which includes her daughter Rose Ellen Kemp, Steeleye's 'Spud' Sinclair and Ruth Elder (Violin).
Click here to got to their new website for all the details and latest bookings.

"... the band's sound is based around their four part harmony along with virtuosic viola playing which goes from dream-like wistfulness all the way through to thick, textured rhythmic crunch. This works in a powerful tandem with Andrew's extraordinarily intuitive guitar skills, creating wide scapes of drone, arpeggio and full-tilt riffs. The performance is all at once harmonically impressive and challenging, entertaining, uplifting and light-hearted, thoughtful and eclectic."

3rd Feb St. Dunstan's Church, Cranbrook
4th Feb Acapela Studio, Cardiff
16th March Stamford Arts Centre
15th April Lowther Pavilion, Lythm St Annes
16th April Queen's Hall Arts Centre, Hexham
17th April Backstage @ Green Hotel, Kinross
18th April Crail Folk Club, Kinross
25th May Forgotten Lands Festival

Forgotten Lands Festival 24th-26th May 2024

2025

May 2025 Tour

Very early date has appeared for May 2025.

Sat 10th May: The Princess Theatre, Hunstanton

Recent solo activities
Recent releases/news/activity by current Steeleye band members

Violeta Vicci

Violeta has recently released a brilliant brand new solo album, click on the pic to read and hear more!

Maddy Prior - Stones Barn

Maddy continues to run her singing, poetry and song writing courses at Stones Barn in Cumbria. Click on image for more details. As noted above Maddy will also be touring with her new solo band 'Forgotten Lands' 

Julian Littman

Julian's amazing new concept album featured all the current Steeleye members. Read more by clicking on the image


Julian Littman 'Paper Cuts' (2023)

Julian has also released a brilliant new solo album 'Paper Cuts'. It is available on all the usual music streaming sites and on CD on Steeleye tours. 


Peter Knight's Gigspanner

And of course not forgetting ex Steeleye legendary fiddle player Peter Knight who is still very active with his band Gigspanner and various offshoots (Big Band, Saltlines, Knight & Spears) all of which are amazing and currently touring the UK.

Click on image to go to their website

Recent & Must See videos


All Around My Hat - Nana Mouskouri show 1976

Another video I have uploaded to YouTube is a recording of Steeleye playing (Miming) 'Hat' on the Nana Mouskouri show in Jan 1976. It has not been seen before on YouTube! 

Documentary on Dutch TV (2001)

Recorded in 1999 (broadcast 2001) this is from the Dutch TV series 'Single Luck' which features one hit wonders and the background to the songs etc. Features interviews with Maddy Prior, Tim Hart, Bob Johnson, Rick Kemp, Peter Knight and (producer) Mike Batt.   

1975 full TV concert!

I  uploaded to YouTube The 1975 Rockpalast Concert -  a complete made-for-TV Steeleye Span concert recorded for the German TV show 'Rockpalast' in June 1975 . This is an amazing hour long video of the band a their absolute peak. 

1981 Live in Vienna!

Vienna Folk Festival. I have recently uploaded some rare, never seen before videos of the 'Classic' Line up live on stage. Click here for Playlist.

Rare video

I have uploaded a never seen before video of a song Steeleye recorded for a short film about the 'Seven Ages of Man' in 1974. The song is based on the 'Gamble Gold' melody with original lyrics

New & Recent Releases


Click on image for details

New 12 disc Box Set from the Chrysalis years! 

In 2022 the wait was finally over for a Steeleye box set from the 'classic' 70s Chrysalis years! Click on the image/link for all the details!

AVAILABLE from Park Records. Click HERE to order....

Live CD- Hark! The Village Wait Live

Now available from Park Records this brilliant new Live CD from the current line up was recorded in Autumn 2017. The band ran through Steeleye's debut album in the first half of the concert. The three bonus tracks were from the second set. 'London' does not feature on the 50th CD/DVD whilst 'Marrowbones' and 'When I was on Horseback' only feature on the bonus DVD. 

Maddy says in the liner notes: "50 years later ..we re-imagined the songs for a completely line up and time..we re appraised the songs and gave ourselves the freedom to develop them to match our experiences and choices today...this live version brings a different energy".

click on image to buy from Park Records

Concept Album- Goblin Market Music

This is a great new concept album based on 'The Goblin Market' poem. Led by Julian Littman but featuring ALL of the current Steeleye line up, who co-wrote much of the material, with lead vocal contributions from Maddy, Jessie May Smart and Spud Sinclair.  Click on button or image below for more details! 
Now available from Park Records