Leveret: live at the United Reformed Church, Abbey Hill

LEVERET

“You won't find English folk music played better than this.” R2

Leveret are a highly acclaimed English folk trio renowned for their innovative approach to traditional music, blending consummate musicianship with captivating spontaneity. Formed in 2014, the band comprises three of England’s most celebrated folk musicians: Andy Cutting (melodeon), Sam Sweeney (fiddle), and Rob Harbron (English concertina). Together, they explore English tunes with a fresh yet deeply rooted perspective, drawing on their individual mastery of their instruments to create a sound that is both timeless and strikingly original.

Andy Cutting is widely regarded as one of the finest melodeon players of his generation. A three-time winner of the BBC Folk Awards’ Best Musician title, he has collaborated with an impressive array of artists, including June Tabor, Kate Rusby, Martin Simpson, Blowzabella, and even Roger Daltrey of The Who. Sam Sweeney, named the 2015 BBC Folk Awards Musician of the Year, is a virtuoso fiddler best known for his work with Bellowhead, as well as projects like The Full English and his solo work including Unearth Repeat and The Unfinished Violin. Rob Harbron, described by The Guardian as a “concertina wizard”, has a uniquely inventive approach to the English concertina and is known for his work with artists including Emily Portman, Jon Boden, and The Full English.

Leveret’s music is firmly grounded in the English folk tradition but stands apart thanks to its spontaneous nature. The trio eschew conventional arrangements, instead relying on mutual trust, keen listening, and real-time musical interplay.  This approach ensures that no two performances are ever the same, offering audiences a uniquely spontaneous experience that feels both ancient and contemporary. Their repertoire blends original settings of traditional tunes with new compositions crafted by the trio, who are themselves regarded as some of the finest tunesmiths in modern folk music.

Over their 12+ years together, Leveret have released a string of critically acclaimed albums that highlight their distinctive style and evolving creativity.  Their first album, New Anything (2015), introduced their elegant and intuitive take on traditional material, earning widespread praise. Subsequent releases, including Diversions (2019), Variations Live (2020), and Forms (2023), have continued to demonstrate their ability to unearth and reimagine traditional gems, and their next release, due out Autumn 2025, will feature another great selection of rediscovered traditional tunes alongside some fine original pieces.

The trio’s chemistry is a cornerstone of their appeal. Critics have lauded the “almost telepathic interplay” between Cutting, Sweeney, and Harbron as they weave their melodies together. Reviews from outlets like The Guardian, Mojo, and fROOTS have praised their “glorious” intuitive playing, “sublime” musicianship, and the “feel-good warmth” they generate on stage.

Leveret—named after the term for a young hare—embodies the spirit of English folk with a poise and grace that feels both understated and revolutionary. Their music, described as possessing a “very English kind of swing,” reinvents tradition with a modern sensibility, appealing to seasoned folk enthusiasts and newcomers alike.  As they continue to explore the endless potential of the folk tune, Leveret remains a vital and exhilarating force in the contemporary folk scene, proving that tradition is not static but a living, breathing art form ripe for reinvention.

 “Individually, each musician is a master, but what happens when the three combine is nothing short of enchantment – there is something exceptional that happens when Cutting, Harbron, and Sweeney get together, something elemental, dynamic, and yet curiously timeless; something magical.  A mesmerising and nourishing treat for both the ears and the soul.”

- Folk Radio UK

 “One of the best bands on the British circuit and the most remarkable example of how English traditional instrumental music sounds in the right hands.”

brightyoungfolk.com

Doors: 7pm
Music starts at 7:30pm

There will be a bar selling alcoholic and soft drinks.

Refund policy: we will only give refunds if a gig is sold out, and more than a week before the event. If you request a refund in the 7 days prior to the event, we will try to resell your tickets and refund your purchase if we are successful.

Organised by The Tree House Bookshop, supported by Kenilworth Arts Festival

BOOK NOW