Stick In The Wheel - NNF 2024

Thursday's late-night offering in the Adnams Spiegeltent came in the shape of East London folk outfit, Stick In The Wheel, a band that evolved out of the London dubstep scene, and who, after releasing their debut album in 2015, were nominated for Best Emerging Act in the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards. Now a duo, but still including founder members Nicola Keary (vocals and accordion) and Ian Carter (electronics and dobro), they are at the Festival as one of six specially commissioned artists involved in the Guildhall Sessions project – a series of short films that explore the 600 year history of Norwich Guildhall, now home to the Norfolk & Norwich Festival team.

Keary seems slightly bemused to be performing in the Festival's large 'wooden tent', which is how she describes the Adnams Spiegeltent, and is worried that the audience might be here by mistake, expecting the circus instead. But those that know Stick In The Wheel will know that this is all part of Keary's droll and deadpan persona, and that we are most certainly here to enjoy their unique approach to updating the rules of folk music.

They begin with 'a song about lorry drivers' ('Champion'), follow it with 'one about sheep stealing' ('The Sheep Stealer'), one that is described as having being taken from 'Bagpuss' ('Weaving Song'), and 'one about strikes' ('Watercress-O). Whatever else you say about Keary, her introductions are succinct and bang on point.

'Out of Service', their contribution to the Guildhall project, is a claustrophobic tribute to those once locked up in its basement cells. The title is taken from a term used to describe those marginalised people who are perceived to be operating outside of society. The spoken-word song is sandwiched between the epic and moody 'A Tree Must Stand In The Earth', and 'Top Knot', each one based on 10th century poems, and delivered with bowed dobro and 21st century electronic enhancement, ahead of new track 'Ruins'. 'Me 'N' Becky' recalls the consequences of taking part in the 2011 London riots and looting, and a cheer from the audience prompts Keary to remind us that they were obviously against such behaviour.

The set concludes with raw holler, stomping percussion and handclaps to the traditional folk song. 'Bonny Boy', and the rousing, stompy, handclaps of 'Villon Song'. The Stick In The Wheel duo, together with their drummer, return to the stage for an even more energetic encore - their heartfelt and emotional cover of the Pogues' 'Dark Streets of London'.

Not quite your typical Adnams Spiegeltent fare, perhaps, but Stick In The Wheel are certainly not your typical folk band. My favourite late night gig of the Festival so far.