The Unthanks
A group that have become one of the essential voices of our region over the last 20 years, The Unthanks excel in bringing new ears to traditional songs. The band inspire fans to learn more about the folk music and how it continues to evolve and reflect modern as well as traditional music in the North East.
“Our music is rooted in the North East, so being able to work in partnership with this wonderful venue that brings so much music to the region feels really fitting.
“Both The Glasshouse and The Unthanks as a band are 20 this year; we’re looking forward to this partnership being a brilliant learning experience to help us continue developing as musicians, and to discovering and helping other North East musicians in their journeys together.”
About The Unthanks
Using the traditional music of the North East of England as a starting point, the influence of Miles Davis, Steve Reich, Sufjan Stevens, Robert Wyatt, Antony & The Johnsons, King Crimson and Tom Waits can be heard in the band’s 14 records to date, earning them a Mercury Music Prize nomination and international acclaim along the way.
They have one Mojo Magazine Folk Album of the Year twice, they were the only British folk representation in The Guardian’s and Uncut’s Best Albums of the Decade (worldwide, all genres), and count amongst their admirers, artists and storytellers including Elvis Costello, Maxine Peake, Rosanne Cash, Martin Freeman, Robert Wyatt, Martin Hayes, Nick Hornby and Dawn French.
The Unthanks exist to explore ideas, journey through music, share stories, to connect and participate, as well as to perform. Music is viewed as adventure, stories as learning, audience as friends and equals. Self managed since they started in 2004, The Unthanks have journeyed though an extraordinarily range of musical forms, and lead the way in finding new ways to engage with audiences.
The Unthanks artistic partnership with The Glasshouse has begun with the band creating the soundtrack for the 2024 Fenwick Christmas window. Their bespoke new take on The Twelve Days Of Christmas is the perfect partner for this North East festive tradition. They continue with a special ‘In Winter’ gig on Tuesday 3 December, featuring a performance that celebrates different traditional music of the season in their unique voices. Their new album In Winter, released on 29 November, promises to be a future classic of the Christmas genre.
All photos by Ben Hughes
