2024 in review

Happy new year website friends and fans!

The days are gradually getting longer, the snowdrops are out, and I saw the first signs of daffodils yesterday. It also means that we’re closer to some more Rosie Hood Band gigs! More about those soon, but first I thought I’d update you on what’s been happening since I last remembered to write a blog post over a year ago…

Last year we we lucky enough to play at quite a few festivals around the country (the Indoor Festival of Folk, Sidmouth, Shrewsbury, Bromyard, Hartlepool and Derby), we also played abroad for the first time (as a trio, not the full band alas), as well as playing a handful of folk clubs, concert series and arts centres. We got to chat to lots of you after the shows, and hearing what our music means to you has been a particular highlight for me. When I write or perform something I always hope it will connect with someone, but you can’t really feel that until you’re in front of an audience. In October we also performed at the wedding of our good friends Aoife & Maddie (Morris - amazing singer and writer who you should check out!), it was a day full of joy and love, and playing them down the aisle was pretty magical. Finally, we started working with our agent Claire Patterson (previously of Good Honest Music, but who has just joined the team at Midnight Mango!) who took over all the hard work of booking shows last spring. We are really grateful that she approached us so if you’re interested in getting us to play near you then Claire is the best person to contact!

Some of you know that when I’m not writing, rehearsing and performing with the band, I work as a music facilitator. Essentially I help other people make and enjoy music in lots of different school, community and hospital settings. Over the past year I’ve continued working with Live Music Now and Sheffield Music Hub as well as working on new projects with darts in Doncaster and Concerteenies in Sheffield. In January last year I graduated from the University of Roehampton with a PgCert in Music & Children with Special Needs & Abilities: Sounds of Intent, and over the year worked closely with Dyzelle Sutherland from darts and the team at Royal Opera & Ballet to create new resources for sensory learners based on The Magic Flute. I’m working at 6 really diverse Special Schools in Sheffield and Doncaster this year and enjoying making music with dozens of children and young people every week. Do feel free to ask me about this work if you see me after a gig, I love talking about it!