Circle Tour
2020
Greg Hancock & Alex Seel
Circle Tour 2020
Greg Hancock and Alex Seel met several years ago and in 2019 decided to do some gigs together. At some of these shows, they invited some other performers to share the stage with them in the form of a “Songwriters Circle”- a format that really showcases the performers’ contrasting styles and techniques. These gigs were so well received that Greg and Alex decided to expand the idea for 2020. This tour is the result. They will be joined on many of the dates by some of the UK’s most respected and exciting singer-songwriters and musicians.
If you think songs should have meaning, this is a fantastic opportunity to explore the songwriter’s craft with two of its finest artisans
- Neil King, FATEA
GREG HANCOCK
On his return to the UK after many years overseas, Greg Hancock quickly set about building a name for himself as one of the most original and accomplished songwriters on the scene. Never afraid to tackle topics that some might avoid, he uses wit and humour in his lyrics for even some of the darkest of subjects! His guitar playing has developed into a unique style with echoes of early influences such as Nic Jones, Joni Mitchell and John Martyn. He has released two studio albums – both to wide recognition and acclaim.
“A master guitarist, exquisite songwriter & beautiful arranger of music” - Blues and Roots Radio
“A303” Finalist for Album of the Year 2017– Laurel Canyon
Winner of Best Song for “The Longest Night” in Solo Male category - B&R 2018
A303 – “One of the finest albums of the year” - Folkcast
“Wonderful Lyrics. Stunning!” - BBC Introducing
“The State of My Hair “ Finalist for Album of the Year- B&R 2019
ALEX SEEL
Alex Seel is a singer-songwriter and guitarist with roots in folk & blues. Music has led Alex from Devon to London to Ireland and back to London again. Through his wanderings, Alex has picked up a beautifully crafted, warm, rootsy song-writing style with thought-provoking, subtle lyrics and a gift for acoustic guitar finger-picking. He has a growing reputation as a solo performer with live performances all over the country, and his 2019 album “Spell on a Tin Drum” has had enthusiastic reviews all over the media.
“A gentle yet compelling listen…this is a seriously good EP” - Maverick Magazine
“Great rootsy feel…with some lovely harmonic twists” - Tom Robinson
“... a growing reputation as one of Britain’s finer songwriters... he’s also a gifted guitarist…exquisite fingerpicking beautifully complements a nicely judged vocal performance” - RnR Magazine
Proper job...a lovely picking style and a distinctly English turn of phrase. - fRoots Magazine
Circle Tour Dates
FRI 6TH MAR - ULEY, NEAR DURSLEY - SONGWRITERS CIRCLE (WITH MADELEINE HARWOOD)
Postponed pending rearrangement
Date: Friday 6th March 2020
Time: 7.30pm
Songwriters Circle: Greg Hancock, Alex Seel and Madeleine Harwood
Venue: Prema Arts Centre, South Street, Uley, Nr Dursley GL11 5SS
Phone: 01453 860703
Website: www.prema.org.uk
Tickets: £12
Greg and Madeleine met in 2018 when they were both on the bill of the Busk Love Stage at the LOVE festival in Southport. Greg was very impressed by Madeleine’s beautiful, powerful and expressive voice and songwriting... and also by the very unusual fact that Madeleine is mainly an unaccompanied singer-songwriter, performing a cappella. She sometimes explores dark and deep topics too – places where many fear to tread! This is going to be an evening that really contrasts three different approaches to the art of songwriting: three artists following very different paths, but with a shared destination!
SAT 14TH MAR - CENTRAL LONDON - SONGWRITERS CIRCLE (WITH MINNIE BIRCH)
Postponed pending rearrangement
Date: Saturday 14th March
Time: 7.30pm
Songwriters Circle: Greg Hancock, Alex Seel and Minnie Birch
Venue: London, Cecil Sharp House, 2 Regents Park Rd NW1 7AY
Website: www.cecilsharphouse.org
Tickets: Tickets £10 + booking fee in advance - £12 on the door
www.wegottickets.com/event/490132
Greg met Minnie Birch at Busk Love festival in early 2019 having previously been introduced to her music via a mutual friend. In performance Minnie has a quiet intensity that draws the listener in as she weaves her wonderfully original lyrics around subtle melodies and some lovely guitar playing. Minnie writes dark, plaintive, beautiful music about life, love, adventures and fairy tales. Following slots supporting Joan Armatrading and a stint at Edinburgh fringe, Minnie has been wooing audiences all over the place with tours in Iceland, America, Europe and all over the U.K under her belt. Her debut album received national airplay on BBC radio 2, BBC 6 music and on BBC Radio 1 as Huw Stephen’s Introducing artist of the week.
Minnie will provide a great counterbalance to Greg’s earthier attitudes and to Alex’s more bluesy sound!
"Her riveting and sometimes shocking lyrics are getting the recognition they deserve"
- Time Out Magazine
SUN 15TH MAR - GREAT TORRINGTON, DEVON - SONGWRITERS CIRCLE (WITH Maaike Siegerist)
Postponed pending rearrangement
Date: Sunday 15th March
Songwriters Circle: Greg Hancock, Alex Seel and Maaike Siegerist
Venue: The Plough Arts Centre, Great Torrington, Devon, EX38 8HQ
Tickets: www.theploughartscentre.org.uk/whats-on/live
For this show, Greg and Alex will be joined by Maaike Siegerist. Maaike is a true original. She moves effortlessly from jazz to pop and folk styles and writes continually surprising songs with snappy, sophisticated lyrics on a wide range of topics. She is an exceptionally good instrumentalist too who combines voice and accompaniment into a seamless whole that has audiences spellbound.
TUES 17TH MAR - ST JUST, CORNWALL - Greg & Alex (With Dave Jenkin)
Postponed pending rearrangement
Date: Tuesday 17th March
Time: 7pm
Greg Hancock and Alex Seel with Dave Jenkin
Venue: St Just, Cornwall Cafe Dog and Rabbit
Phone: 01736 449811
Website: https://www.facebook.com/Cafe-Dog-and-Rabbit-616571558395306/
Tickets: Not ticketed
Greg and Alex will be joined for the evening by Dave Jenkin, a superb instrumentalist guitarist who plays everything from ragtime to haunting compositions inspired by the Cornish landscape. There should be plenty of opportunity for spontaneity and interaction – musical and verbal - between the artists. This evening is a perfect opportunity to compare and contrast the style, technique and approach of three musicians who all share similar goals but approach from different directions.
thurs 19TH MAR - MYLOR, near FALMOUTH - Songwriters Circle (with Tennyson’s Twin)
Postponed pending rearrangement
Date: Thursday March 19th
Time: 7.30pm
Songwriters Circle: Greg Hancock, Alex Seel and Tennyson's Twin
Venue: Tremayne Hall, Mylor nr Falmouth
Website: http://tremaynehall.org/
Tickets: £10 from https://www.wegottickets.com/event/490110
Greg, Alex and Tennyson’s Twin return to Tremayne Hall after a well-received and very enjoyable songwriters circle here in 2019. Tennyson’s Twin is the performance name of Sarah Hayes, who moved from Somerset to Mylor some years ago. Sarah plays both keyboards and guitar which adds another dimension to the music on offer and her deeply emotionally charged songs contrast beautifully with the other performers. Sarah has a new album that has been long anticipated. She will be performing songs from the new album and from earlier.
FRI 20TH MAR - GLASTONBURY - SONGWRITERS CIRCLE (WITH Sarah Yeo)
Postponed pending rearrangement
Date: Friday March 20th
Time: 8.30pm
Songwriters Circle: Greg Hancock, Alex Seel and Sarah Yeo
Venue: Glastonbury, Hawthorns Hotel8 Northload St, Glastonbury BA6 9JJ
Phone: 01458 831255
Website: www.hawthornshotel.co.uk
Tickets: Not ticketed
Greg and Alex return to this lovely music venue in the heart of Glastonbury after appearing in a songwriters circle here last year. This time they will be joined by the wonderful Sarah Yeo who, like Greg, comes from Exeter in Devon. Sarah Yeo joined Greg and Alex last year for a songwriters circle in Devon and it was a great combination. Sarah plays strong melodic country-tinged pop with an unforgettable rich silky voice that really turns heads. She is a fine songwriter too who documents life’s loves, trials and quirks with a poetic simplicity and passion.
Why not book a room at Hawthorns and make a night of it!
SAT 21st MAR - STARCROSS near EXETER - SONGWRITERS CIRCLE (WITH Tobias Ben Jacob)
Postponed pending rearrangement
Date: Saturday March 21st
Time: 7.30pm
Songwriters Circle: Greg Hancock, Alex Seel and Tobias Ben Jacob
Venue: St Paul’s Church, Starcross nr ExeterChurch St, Starcross, Exeter EX6 8PZ
Tickets: £8 + boking fee in advance online - £10 on the door.
https://www.wegottickets.com/event/490115
Greg has known Tobias and loved his music since they first met when Greg set up home in Exeter in 2012. Tobias can write in styles that seem simple, and equally in more complex structures, but what always comes across is the precision and beauty of his guitar playing supporting his passionate, ethereal singing and extraordinarily emotional and moving lyrics. In the beautiful venue of St Pauls, where Greg has played several times and Alex and he did a Songwriters Circle in 2019, the sound of Tobias’s vocals reverberating around the rafters will be stunning!
Sun 22nd MAR - TAVISTOCK - Greg & Alex
Postponed pending rearrangement
Date: Sunday March 22nd
Greg Hancock and Alex Seel
Venue: Tavistock (Private House Gig)
Tickets: This event is an invitation-only private house gig. If you would like to explore possibilities, contact Greg on greghancocksings@gmail.com
House gigs are becoming increasingly popular! If you would like to host a similar event, Greg and/or Alex would love to come to entertain you and your friends. Hosting live music in your own home can be a great way to make your special evening unique and memorable. It can provide a really close-up and intimate experience of the artists at work. The event could be tailored to your requirements and can be the main event, or part of larger event.
thurs 26th MAR - DEAL, KENT - Songwriters Circle (with Lucy Kitt)
Postponed pending rearrangement
Date: Thursday March 26th
Time: 7.30pm
Songwriters Circle: Greg Hancock, Alex Seel and Lucy Kitt
Venue: Deal, St Andrew’s Church, West St, Seal, Kent CT14 6DY
Phone: 01304 381131
Website: https://dealstandrews.org.uk/
Tickets: www.wegottickets.com/event/490145/
The tour reaches the East coast at Deal with a songwriters circle in this lovely venue. Greg was introduced to the music of Lucy Kitt by a mutual friend and it will be wonderful to get to swap stories and songs with her this evening.
Lucy Kitt has been songwriting and performing under the radar for many years. Like discovering a 'hidden gem', her solo performances have captured the hearts of fans far and wide, and her talent cannot fail to go unnoticed by all who hear her music. Lucy's unique sound has been described as warm, earthy, and mellow, as well as being greatly influenced by the sound of LA's Laurel Canyon in the 1970's.
Propelled by her semi-finalist status at the 2006 BBC Radio 2 Young Folk awards, the live music scene beckoned, and Lucy has supported a host of musical talent ever since, including Cara Dillon, Turin Brakes, The Unthanks, Pete Mollinari and Nick Mulvey. Major UK festival slots have included: Glastonbury, Cambridge Folk Festival, The Isle of Wight Festival, Secret Garden Party, and Lounge on the Farm, and Red Rooster Festival. Having won the 2014 Gibson/Sundance song writing competition, Lucy's songs have been placed firmly on the musical map. She has played gigs around the world, including Northern California, Sweden, Finland, Switzerland, and Germany.
Lucy's writing is honest, and heartfelt accounts of her personal experiences, and tell stories of love, loss, learning and longing. Those that feature on Lucy’s debut album ‘Stand by’ give account of the poignant chapter of her life, whilst living in Canterbury, Kent during and after University.
fri 27TH MAR - CENTRAL LONDON - SONGWRITERS CIRCLE (WITH Steve Dagleish)
Postponed pending rearrangement
Date: Friday March 27th
Time: 8.00pm
Songwriters Circle: Greg Hancock, Alex Seel and Steve Dagleish
Venue: London, The Harrison,28 Harrison Street, WC1H 8JF
Website: www.harrisonbar.co.uk
Tickets: £8 from https://www.wegottickets.com/event/490116
A repeat performance by the three who did a well-received and attended show here in 2019. Steve comes with more traditional folk credentials but is more inclined to classify himself as a singer-songwriter these days and what a songwriter! He deals with stories, portraits and commentary with a sharp eye for detail and clear ear for a melody. Steve is a very fine fingerstyle guitarist too and the playing of all three artists will be fascinating to compare and contrast.
Inspired by the craftsmanship of songwriters Neil Young, John Martyn & Nick Drake, Hull-born, London-resident Steve Dagleish now performs his original songs, interpretations of 'trad' and modern songs, at folk clubs, music venues and festivals.
In 2015, Steve supported Chris Wood, collaborated with Ranagri and headlined Saltburn Folk Club's 'Original Alternative Concert'. His debut album 'Only Losers Write on Bridges' received extensive airplay on mainstream and digital radio stations.
He toured the UK in Spring 2016 following sell-out London headline gigs with son John Dagleish. Steve played several festivals in the Summer, and released a second album 'Yours for Eternity' following a sell-out London launch. This will be return for Greg Alex and Steve to The Harrison where they played together in 2019 too.
sat 28TH MAR - QUEENSBURY, near BRADFORD - SONGWRITERS CIRCLE (WITH Henry Parker)
Postponed pending rearrangement
Date: Saturday March 28th
Time: 7.00pm
Songwriters Circle: Greg Hancock, Alex Seel and Henry Parker
Venue: Queensbury (nr Bradford) Black Dyke Mills Heritage Centre, Brighouse Rd, Queensbury, Bradford BD13 1QA
Phone: 07920 122735
Tickets: £10 from https://bit.ly/31tqhw6
Henry Parker is an astonishing guitarist straight out of the British folk revival style, but with an amazingly accomplished mastery of the instrument that is breathtaking. His writing too has echoes of Nick Drake and John Martyn and the folk tradition but there is nothing old fashioned in his music!
A devoted guitarist from the West Yorkshire town of Bingley, Henry Parker plays with an intricate finger-picking style that brings to mind the late 60’s folk, psych and progressive rock scenes, with influence drawn from the likes of Bert Jansch, Nick Drake, Pentangle and Fairport Convention. His songwriting lyrically entwines landscapes, people and politics with roots that run deep into the traditional folk songs of England.
After spending his teenage years playing in heavy bands and his early twenties self-releasing various folk demos, cassettes and live CD’s Henry Parker, 25 has now taken a bold move onto the wider folk scene with the release of his debut album Silent Spring.
With hundreds of gigs played in his four years of live, predominantly solo, performance, and having supported the likes of Michael Chapman, Bridget St John and Wizz Jones, Henry Parker seems destined to carry on the role taken up by these original troubadours.
fri 22nd MAY - WIVELISCOMBE near TAUNTON - SONGWRITERS CIRCLE (WITH Chris Cleverley)
Date: Friday May 22nd
Time: Doors at 7.30pm
Songwriters Circle: Greg Hancock, Alex Seel and Chris Cleverley
Venue: Cotleigh Brewery, Wiveliscombe, Somerset TA4 2RE
Phone: 01984 624086
Tickets: £10 + booking fee in advance - also available from Wiveliscombe Post Office
www.wegottickets.com/event/490561
Greg is returning to one of Somerset’s top venues - Cotleigh Brewery - after a very well received songwriters circle last year with Alex Seel and Sarah Yeo. This year alongside Greg and Alex will be one of the very finest of the new generation of alt-folk singer-songwriters and guitarists, Chris Cleverley. You’ll be able to sample not only some of the best contemporary acoustic music, but also some of Cotleigh’s delicious ales!
Chris has crafted a reputation as a songwriter of singular ability with original and traditional material resonating deeply with UK-wide audiences. His thought-provoking words dissect themes as diverse as deteriorating anxious minds, damaging gender constructs, literary heroines and hospital beds, all the while reflecting a keen intellect and strong social conscience. Underpinning this songwriting flair is a powerful affinity with his chosen instrument. Described as ‘Impressive’ by The Telegraph, Chris is fast gaining the accolade of being among the most masterful, inventive and unique fingerstyle players on the scene. Continuing the legacy of his heroes Nic Jones, John Martyn and John Renbourn, the essence of the folk revival abounds in his memorable music.
sat 23rd MAY - EXETER - SONGWRITERS CIRCLE (WITH Tennyson’s Twin)
Date: Saturday May 23rd
Time: 7.30pm
Songwriters Circle: Greg Hancock, Alex Seel and Tennyson's Twin
Venue: St Katherine’s Priory, St Katherine's Rd, EXETER EX4 7JY
Tickets: £10 from www.wegottickets.com/event/490147
Greg, Alex round off their UK tour with a home gig for Greg in Exeter hosted by Twigg’s Gigs. For this Songriters Circle Greg and Alex will be joined by Tennyson’s Twin - the performance name of Sarah Hayes, who moved from Somerset to Cornwall some years ago. Sarah plays both keyboards and guitar which adds another dimension to the music on offer and her deeply emotionally charged songs contrast beautifully with the other performers. Sarah has a new album that has been long anticipated. She will be performing songs from the new album and from earlier.
Mon 25th MAY - BATH - SONGWRITERS CIRCLE (WITH Bob Gallie)
Date: Monday May 25th
Time: 7.30pm
Songwriters Circle: Greg Hancock, Alex Seel and Bob Gallie
Venue: BATH, Old Royal Theatre, 12 Old Orchard St, Bath BA1 1JU
Phone: 01225 462233
Tickets: £10
As part of the 2020 Bath Fringe Festival, Greg, Alex and Bob will be performing as a Songwriters Circle.
Bob Gallie is the epitome of a modern-day troubadour: relentlessly gigging around the South West and holding audiences entranced wherever he performs. His songs are emotional, perceptive and engaging. His voice ranges from a gentle, almost spoken sound to a powerful melodic crescendo, soaring into the stratosphere. Bob has performed at festivals and venues all over the South West , where he is now based, and his native Wales. He has a firm following of fans – a group that is added to at every gig. Once heard, never forgotten!
“Last night we witnessed the magical Bob Gallie put on a musical masterclass“
- Arran Dutton - Muso Fix
fri 25th sept - taunton - SONGWRITERS CIRCLE (WITH Odette Michell)
Date: Friday September 25th
Time: 7.30pm
Songwriters Circle: Greg Hancock, Alex Seel and Odette Michell
Venue: CICCIC, Memorial Hall, Paul St, Taunton TA1 3PF
Phone: 01823 337477
Tickets: www.creativeinnovationcentre.co.uk
Greg and Alex will be joined by one of the most exciting rising stars of the UK folk and acoustic scene - Odette Michell. Odette is a dynamic and powerful performer and in 2020 will be continuing to tour the UK in support of her debut album "The Wildest Rose" which was released last year to wide acclaim. Odette has also been working closely with Phil Beer, and, apart from her own headline gigs, has supported some of the very top names around.
sat 26th sept - bristol - SONGWRITERS CIRCLE (WITH Odette Michell)
Date: Saturday September 26th
Time: 8.00pm
Songwriters Circle: Greg Hancock, Alex Seel and Odette Michell
Venue: Bristol Folk House, 40a Park St, Bristol BS1 5JG
Phone: 0117 926 2987
Tickets: https://www.wegottickets.com/event/495949
Greg and Alex will be joined by one of the most exciting rising stars of the UK folk and acoustic scene - Odette Michell. Odette is a dynamic and powerful performer and in 2020 will be continuing to tour the UK in support of her debut album "The Wildest Rose" which was released last year to wide acclaim. Odette has also been working closely with Phil Beer, and, apart from her own headline gigs, has supported some of the very top names around.
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