Steeleye Span at The Atkinson, Southport. February 2015. Photograph by Ian D. Hall.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 9/10

The tag line of the manner of the band may not sit well in some quarters but for others they are the undisputed royalty and arguably pinnacle of the English Folk revival and as the packed out audience at the Atkinson Theatre in Southport came to the very end of the set, the appreciation and acknowledgement of Steeleye Span creativity and fine music was palpable and endearing

Emotions are easily played with in the modern world, the cynics and pessimistic detractors find their own jealousies much more enjoyable to rip open than to take in the subtleties than come along with songs that base themselves in the traditional and the complexities of the pastoral affairs. It may be a hard world, it may be a place in which the efforts of the gentle ballad are overlooked but as an art form, as something that gives pleasure in the grass roots away from the constant and urbanisation that comes with each passing year.

In a venue that houses great examples of Victorian artwork on its walls between the two theatres used for plays and gigs, the site of John Collier’s 1887 masterpiece, Lilith, hangs with prominence and perhaps arguably eerie notoriety. The thought of the first wife of Adam and the eventual downfall of Eden playing in the memory as Steeleye Span’s wonderful lead vocalist Maddy Prior brings her unique vocal power to the stage, the lingering memory of the art of telling a story in captivating style breathing in amongst the aisles, holding closely the attention of a well versed crowd but aided by the sensational band and with a new face in tow, the extraordinary dexterity of violinist Jessie May Smart who was just as beguiling in her approach as Maddy Prior was in hers.

With two sets bursting to the brim with tracks from the group’s long and valued back catalogue and with several songs from the band’s last album, The Wintersmith, having rightful prominence, the evening from start to finish was one in which the smile on those in the audience never faltered, never grew weary and in which was as mesmeric as the entrancing sound coming from the stage.

Songs such as Blackleg Miner, Long Lankin, The epic The Ballad of King Henry, the Terry Pratchett inspired The Wintersmith, the still incredible All Around My Hat, The Boys of Bedlam, which was given a fresh new outlook with the addition of a rap insertion, Robbers and The Summer Lady, the evening went from enthralling to down-right important in the space of two well spent hours.

For Maddy Prior, the voice that has charmed generations continues to do so and it was proof, if ever such a silly commodity was needed, that Steeleye Span can hold court and bathe in the spotlight across several different decades and never once lose relevance.

A night to remember the English pastoral, to revel in the abundance of Folk and its continuing significance in a world that has lost sight for now of such important things.

Ian D. Hall