Katie Spencer + Watkin Sharkey
Katie Spencer + Watkin Sharkey Joint-Headline Show
Katie Spencer
Raised in the East Yorkshire flatlands on the fringes of Hull (UK), Katie Spencer’s landscape has always been that of open skies and widening rivers. It is this sense of space and movement that flows through her assured guitar style and songwriting. Now, as Katie steps into this new era with a third album, her focus turns to those deeper inner spaces, inviting the listener to engage with her heartfelt and intricately-crafted songs.
Her writing, and most notably her guitar playing stems from a time when the steel-stringed instrument was truly finding its voice. Artists like Joni Mitchell, Judee Sill, Julie Byrne and perhaps most evidently Michael Chapman, weave into her sound. Katie absorbs these influences into her songwriting and with her distinctive deep vibrato and crystal-clear guitar style, she makes the music inimitably her own.
‘Her articulate picking, with suggestions of folk and jazz, frames intelligently written songs’ – Guitarist
Magazine
‘… a world-class folk guitarist’ – fRoots
‘Katie’s guitar playing has echoes of my dear friend the late great Bert Jansch. Like a musical weaver she threads her poetic lyrics through the guitar’s strings and produces tapestries of song.’ – Ralph McTell
Watkin Sharkey
Born and raised in Norfolk (UK), Watkin Sharkey is a folk songwriter influenced by the likes of Bob Dylan, Ralph Mctell & Michael Chapman. A new kid on the block, Sharkey has dived into his first year of live performances with tours of the UK, France & Spain. Supporting Katie Spencer in Sheffield & opening for Paul Armfield on his spring 2025 UK tour are notable successes. With a debut album in the works, Watkin has a distinctive, contemporary sound while tipping his hat to the 60s/70s folk tradition.
‘…exceptionally talented, instrumentally interesting and incredibly apt songwriting.’ – The Bedford
‘Delicate guitar textures, gritty vocals, uniquely specific moments of child-like memories’ – Ely Radio
‘Contemporary alternative songwriting nestled firmly in the roots of English & American folk music’
