Independent music venue extraordinaire, Alexander’s Live, is welcoming a York-based band to its stage this winter. Folk five-piece Blackbeard’s Tea Party are making a pit stop at the Chester nightspot to play their contemporary take on traditional folk tunes, covers of classic songs and self-penned creations of their own.
Both a ceilidh and concert band, the musical ensemble are a favourite on the UK festival scene. Their performances have included appearances at some of the biggest music events in the nation like Glastonbury, Bingley Music Live and the Larmer Tree Festival, but also specialist folk music gatherings like Towersey Festival, the Fairport Cropredy Convention, and folk festivals in places like Shrewsbury, Bromyard, Sidmouth and Cambridge.
Blackbeard’s Tea Party was founded by Laura Barber and Paul Young as a busking band to make a supplementary income. Additional members joined who were bandmates from former groups or university friends of the founders. Playing together since 2009, the band collaborated virtually during the coronavirus pandemic, which created material for their 2022 release “Kick the Curb”. Praise from critics and fans followed, and the band secured a headline tour the same year.
In 2024, they announced a new album called “We Are People” and fans attending the Chester gig will likely get to hear songs sourced from its track list, among many others.
Blackbeard’s Tea Party will now perform at Alexander’s Live on Thursday, February 19. The live music venue is simple to locate in Rufus Court, Chester, and tickets are now available to purchase.