Filkin's // Ensemble
Forging a new path for traditional music...
As the sheer joy and energy radiating from the stage combines with a sophisticated musicianship, Filkin’s Ensemble produces a musical experience like no other. In collaboration with singer Ellie Gowers, their distinctive style of orchestral-folk forges a new path for traditional music.
The ensemble’s contemporary arrangements of traditional songs combine a string quartet, clarinet, bass clarinet, saxophone, guitars, recorder, and orchestral percussion. This eclectic instrumental lineup joins forces with Ellie Gowers, whose work was described by The Guardian as being ‘full of delicacy, precision and gentle delight’. Drawing inspiration from classical and jazz, the ensemble presents ‘a powerful display of incredible compositional skills and harmonic design’ (Bright Young Folk).
Live from the Folk
Filkin’s Ensemble is the bold vision of Seth Bye and Chris Roberts (aka. Filkin’s Drift) who have recently earned widespread acclaim for an 870 mile foot-powered-tour, with national airtime on BBC Radio 2, 3, 4, 6 Music, and BBC World Service. They also achieved global attention from major news outlets including BBC News, Billboard, The i, Radio New Zealand, Canadian Broadcasting Company, and The Times. Forming Filkin’s Ensemble in 2020, Seth Bye and Chris Roberts now bring together 14 of the UK’s finest young folk musicians in an adventurous collaboration.
In June 2023, Filkin’s Ensemble released their debut EP, ‘Live from The Folk’. Recorded in The Folk of Gloucester, a 16th Century Tudor building, the ensemble perform each track live, capturing their unique sound palette without any editing or overdubbing.
Watch the Ensemble Live...
As the sheer joy and energy that radiates from the stage combines with a sophisticated musicianship, the Filkin’s Ensemble produces a musical experience like no other.
As one festival goer said: “seeing young musicians performing at this level gives me great hope for the future of music”. Previously, the ensemble has enchanted audiences on festival main stages including FolkEast, Warwick, Gate to Southwell and Purbeck Valley Folk Festival.
Watch this space for our 2024 summer dates!
Show Listings
Watch the Ensemble Live...
As the sheer joy and energy that radiates from the stage combines with a sophisticated musicianship, the Filkin’s Ensemble produces a musical experience like no other.
As one festival goer said: “seeing young musicians performing at this level gives me great hope for the future of music”. Previously, the ensemble has enchanted audiences on festival main stages including FolkEast, Warwick, Gate to Southwell and Purbeck Valley Folk Festival.
Watch this space for our 2024 summer dates!
‘An absolute joy to behold’
Totally Folked
‘A powerful display of incredible compositional skills and harmonic design’
Bright Young Folk
‘Hugely Entertaining’
R2 Magazine
The group is formed of past and present members of bands such as The Destroyers, Bonfire Radicals, Thorpe & Morrison, Joe Broughton’s Conservatoire Folk Ensemble, and Manchester Camerata.
The collective performing experience of this group is impressive for such a young band with appearances including Glastonbury, Shrewsbury Folk Festival, Shambala, English Folk Expo, Boomtown, Gdynia Ladies’ Jazz Festival, and the Commonwealth Games (BBC 1).