Funky folk tunes, storming songs and infectious stage energy, Blackbeard's Tea Party mix fiddles and squeezeboxes, guitar noise and synth bass, and a feast of international hand percussion to bring you an unforgettable folk-rock extravaganza.
Grounded in English traditions, but never afraid to explore more exotic musical avenues, they create a sound that is equal parts tasty, dramatic and danceable.
Playing together since summer 2009, Blackbeard's Tea Party began as a busking, function and ceilidh band, but quickly grew a reputation as a formidable live act. They soon found themselves selling out venues in their home town of York.
Word quickly spread and the band began to play gigs further afield, including a number of noteworthy festival concerts and ceilidh bookings through 2010 and 2011.
These included Sidmouth, Shrewsbury and a headline slot at Galtres, among others.
During this time, Blackbeard's Tea Party released a mini-album Heavens to Betsy (2009) and a full length album Tomorrow We'll Be Sober (2011) to excellent critical acclaim and public response.
After the release of Heavens to Betsy the band's distinctive sound was picked up by the BBC's Mike Harding, who played Blackbeard's Tea Party on BBC Radio 2's weekly folk show.
Since the release of Tomorrow We'll Be Sober - which R2 Magazine gave a five star rating - Blackbeard's Tea Party have gone from strength to strength.
They were recognised as one of the best live bands in the UK in the 2011 FATEA Awards and 2012 saw a long run of festival bookings, including Cambridge and Whitby, and return visits to Sidmouth and Shrewsbury, among others.
2013 saw the band continue to grow. In April, Blackbeard's Tea Party issued their second full length album Whip Jamboree which reached number four on the Amazon MP3 folk charts alongside continued critical praise.
March 2014 saw them perform their first international gig at the Costa Del Folk Festival in Spain, before they head to Borneo in June to perform at the Rainforest World Music Festival.
At home, the band continue to support Whip Jamboree with extensive touring and their longest festival run to date, including slots at Fairport's Cropredy Convention, Shrewsbury Folk Festival and another Galtres headline.
On Saturday, April 12, rhey will play live at the Rake and Pikel in Huntingtom, Chester, from 8pm. Admission is free. More details on 01244 318254.
