Traditional acoustic duo making contemporary innovative folk

Spiers and Boden have been inspired by traditional English music but have not been content to simply perform it in traditional style but to firmly imprint their own identity on it while still retaining its original character.

They have achieved this with considerable panache as solo performers, together as a duo, in collaboration with Eliza Carthy and with their ground-breaking big band Bellowhead.

John Spiers is a maestro of the melodeon and Jon Boden plays fiddle with individual style and energy.

During the time they have been working together they have made an indelible mark on traditionally based English folk music and shown that English folk music can still have relevancy for today and really rock.

As an acoustic duo Spiers and Boden combine traditional songs and ballads with inventive musical arrangements and raw energy.

The songs and tunes must surely sound as fresh and innovative as they did centuries ago.

They are appearing at The Pound Arts Centre, Corsham, on Saturday.