Kathryn Tickell & The Darkening

Friday 27th February 2026 at 7.30pm

Doors & bar open at 7pm

Tickets: £26

Tickets are available HERE by phoning 01728 454022, or in person Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 10-12pm at the AJH corner office.

Named after the old Northumbrian word for twilight, ‘The Darkening’ is made up of four North-East England-based members: Kathryn Tickell (Northumbrian smallpipes, fiddle, vocals), Amy Thatcher (accordion, synth, clogs, vocals), Tim Bloomer (guitar), Joe Truswell (drums, percussion); with Stef Conner from Cambridge (vocals, lyres). Together these dazzling musicians create musical magic; dynamic and unique “Ancient Northumbrian Futurism”.

Based in the shadow of Hadrian’s Wall yet reaching out to the wider world, Kathryn Tickell & The Darkening explore the connecting threads of music, landscape and people over a period of almost 2000 years.

Songs range from themes of freedom, nature and venturing out into the world after times of darkness, to a Roman inscription with links to Libya and Syria magnetically pulled into the 21st century with glorious vocal harmonies and the wildest of piping.

LIVE REVIEWS:
“…tremendously energising, polished and thought-provoking” Americana-UK.
“Dynamic and breathless jigs and spins… this is the energy we want!” The List (Celtic Connections 2024).
“Kathryn Tickell and The Darkening hold Cropredy in the palm of their hand…”At The Barrier.
“… a euphoric experience… edgy, dark dance-based adventures, thoughtful mystical evocations, precise virtuoso instrumental wizardry and
magical, haunting soundscapes” Fatea.

Official website: kathryntickell.com
X: @kathryntickell
Instagram: kathryntickell
Facebook: kathryntickellpiper
Youtube:@TheKathrynTickell
Bandcamp: kathryntickell.bandcamp.com