Edinburgh Tradfest: Leveret

Leveretis 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 has 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). The band has 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.

Leveret always packs them in at The Traverse and we’re super excited that finally dates have aligned for us to welcome them to Edinburgh Tradfest. We definitely recommend early booking for this one.

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Image: Andrew Clark

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