MANCHESTER FOLK FEST 2019: JOHN BRAMWELL

The Breath is guitarist Stuart McCallum and singer Ríoghnach (pron. Ray-nuh) Connolly. Based in Manchester, their unique take on alt-folk journeys from hushed storytelling to uplifting anthems. At its heart lies Rioghnach’s deeply soulful, stop-you-in-your-tracks voice, alongside Stuart’s understated brilliance and their exquisitely crafted, personal songs. It’s the emotional depth of the songs and the remarkable connection the duo share on stage that make The Breath’s live performance so compelling.

Connolly writes the only way she knows how; a stream of poetic consciousness giving rise to honest, personal, heartfelt songs – as likely to touch on childhood summers and first love as cultural dislocation, post-colonial injustices and grief.

This event is part of Manchester Folk Festival – an urban folk festival. It takes place from 16-20 October 2019, in and around HOME and the city centre. Over the autumn weekend, they present an exhilarating range of events, with the spotlight on contemporary and traditional English folk music.