BBC Radio 2, 6music and Glastonbury presenter Mark Radcliffe brings his band Foes to Alexander’s in Chester for an evening of folk songs, stories with a twist of comedy on Thursday, January 15.
From the ashes of Radcliffe’s former band The Family Mahone rises The Foes featuring original songs of loves lost, hangovers, regret and the odd dead dog as well as rousing drinking tunes.
Expect a few choice covers from the likes of Slade, Hank Williams and Cockney Rebel, but Mr Radcliffe has written most of the songs.
The Foes are Paul Cargill, Russell Mabbutt, Chris Lee and Mark Woolley armed with accordions, bass, mandolin, whistles and percussion. Mark Radcliffe plays guitars as well as providing lead vocals.
Meanwhile, Radcliffe continues to enjoy his daily job on the airwaves, taking charge of Radio 2’s Folk Show.
Radcliffe, who has interviewed many of pop’s biggest stars, admits David Bowie was the closest he ever had to a musical hero.
He recalled: “The first time I saw him in concert was in 1973. It was at the Manchester Hardrock, a long defunct venue now re-modelled as a branch of B&Q.
“Thirty years later I had been invited to introduce him live on stage at Hammersmith Odeon. He asked me into his dressing room to ask my opinion on that night’s greatest hits set list.
“Here was my idol, the man who fell to earth, the Thin White Duke, soliciting an opinion from a Lancashire lad who paid £1.25 to stand in awe and wonder in front of the Hardrock stage where B&Q now display vinyl flooring.”
Tickets are £8 available from www.alexanderslive.com or by calling 01244 340005.
