Bellowhead on the Road

Bellowhead is still something that I grieve for because I joined straight out of school when I was 18. Not only did I learn how to be a musician in that band, but how to be a human being.” Fiddle player Sam Sweeney is far from the only one still mourning the loss of the magnificent folk group that, after 12 years, five albums and scores of concerts, called it a day in 2016.

During the lockdown in 2020 they got together remotely, recorded ‘New York Girls (Live From Home)’ online – and were touched by the enthusiasm of the response. Encouraged, they reunited in person for a streamed concert celebrating the tenth anniversary of their album Hedonism.

“20,000 people watched,” Sweeney says. “We were shocked people still loved that band so much.” 

They shouldn’t have been surprised: when the 11 musicians of Bellowhead came together they, like The Beatles or Planxty, created something beyond themselves. Their concerts were euphoric, unifying events. So, for their audience’s and their own enjoyment, Bellowhead are reuniting again for a tour in November, celebrating another tenth anniversary – of their album Broadside. 

Competition: Win a pair of tickets to see Bellowhead this November

Trumpet player Andy Mellon is so busy composing for television that he can’t come. But he’s the only one. Even percussionist Pete Flood, now a full-time mycologist, is returning.

“He’s using his annual holiday to come on tour with us,” singer Jon Boden says. The band’s modus operandi makes this possible. The arrangements are intricate; all are notated and sent to each musician to learn.

“You have to turn up knowing it,” Boden insists. “Rehearsals are fine tuning, not working out what’s played where.” No pressure, then. At least they are familiar with the work. The band have half a dozen albums’ worth of material to draw on. “There no impetus to make new stuff,” Boden says. “And it’s exciting to revisit old material.”

“I’m a very different player from the one I was six years ago,” Sweeney muses. “I’ve played such different music since then. I think this will have a very fresh energy. It will be weird going onstage in front of two-and-a-half thousand people again. It was a physically strenuous gig, we used to jump around a lot. I need to remember how to jump up and down – and sing. I’ll have to start jogging.”

Not a bad idea, Sam, especially as you and your own band will be the support act. 

Three weeks on a tour bus stuffed with 11 colleagues; exhausting performances followed by wind downs lasting much of the night, a kip in a bed narrow as a coffin, a shower at the next venue… It’s not a glamorous life, but Boden and Sweeney are enthused by the prospect. “I’ve missed the tours,” Boden says. “The gigs are great fun. So is being on the road with the band, the crew. So, I’ve felt very drawn to the idea of getting back on a tour bus with Bellowhead.” 

“It’s going to be very exciting,” Sweeney adds, “and I plan to live the whole three weeks as if I’m 21 again!”   

This article originally appeared in the July 2022 issue of Songlines magazine. Never miss an issue of Songlines – subscribe today