Seth Lakeman – with Benji Kirkpatrick & Alex Hart
Saturday 24/05/25 19:30, Ashburton Arts Centre
The Tors Festival is thrilled to welcome Dartmoor’s best known international folk singer and multi-instrumentalist, Seth Lakeman.
Seth is celebrating releasing his latest studio album The Granite Way on 14 February 2025. The album is a collection of songs recorded alongside a group of longtime collaborators, staying true to his roots and based on ancient West Country stories and folklore. While all the tracks on The Granite Way were written and produced by Seth, the album was made possible with a group of musicians he has played alongside for many years, who’ll be touring with them 2025. Two of these, Benji Kirkpatrick (electric guitar, acoustic guitar, banjo, mandolin and harmonica) and Alex Hart (vocals) will be appearing with Seth at Ashburton Arts Centre for this intimate gig.
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For any not aware Seth Lakeman was catapulted into the music mainstream when he was nominated for the Mercury Music Prize in 2005 for his album ‘Kitty Jay’. Inspired by the legends and stories of Dartmoor where Seth grew up, it was produced by his elder brother Sean Lakeman and cost just £300 to record in his kitchen in a Dartmoor village. The Guardian noted his inclusion in the Mercury Prize shortlist at the time as “the biggest surprise” as he was up against a raft of well-known pop artists. Seth’s thrilling solo performance of the eponymous title track on live television at the Mercury Awards won him unanimous praise and started him on an incredible solo journey which has included record deals, 11 album releases (including 6 Top 40), BBC Radio 2 play-listed singles, a clutch of awards and touring all over the world.
2024 marked the 20th anniversary of Kitty Jay’s release and after a sell-out February tour, Seth toured again in October with the band – Benji Kirkpatrick, Ben Nicholls, Cormac Byrne and Alex Hart – playing the album and other favourites. He returned to HMP Dartmoor earlier this year to play a concert to inmates after having last played there in May 2004 when he was given permission to launch his debut solo album – ‘Kitty Jay – Live from Dartmoor Prison’ is from that performance in January 2024 with Benji Kirkpatrick and Alex Hart.
Featured photo by Dom Moore