Tightrope Moon cast a silver web over their audiences as violin, viola and vocals entwine in celestial sounds and hypnotic melodies. From gritty re-imaginings of English, Swedish and American tunes to delicate compositions and ethereal improvisations, their spiraling melodies feel like secrets whispered in the dark.

The duo’s electrifying groove-based tunes create a sound that is otherworldly, yet deeply rooted in tradition. Their songs spin out stories old and new, as haunting vocal harmonies float over pizzicato latticework. Tales of the forest merge with daydreams in the big city as they infuse their sound with a kind of magic that lingers long after the final note.

For Tightrope Moon, making music is an intimate alchemy – carefully crafting ‘other worlds’ and sharing them with audiences across the country. Individually, Seth Bye and Cori Smith have performed on stages including Sidmouth Folk Festival, Cambridge Folk Festival, Fire in the Mountain and Shrewsbury Folk Festival. Now, as Tightrope Moon, their magnetic performances crackle with bewitchment.

A rare solo performance for Stew Simpson (Frontman for folk rock outfit Hadrian’s Union)

Without the framework of Hadrian’s Union, Stew has allowed himself to explore different sides of his journey into folk music using his roots in traditional mining songs from the North East of England, from his previous show Hyem through to such Folk and Rock cross over songs by Led Belly/Nirvana, (Where did you sleep last night) and to his more outrageous surrealist poetry.