MFF2027: Leveret

Part of Manchester Folk Festival 2027.

Leveret are a highly acclaimed English folk trio renowned for their innovative approach to traditional music, blending consummate musicianship with captivating spontaneity. Formed in 2014, the band comprises three of England’s most celebrated folk musicians: Andy Cutting (melodeon), Sam Sweeney (fiddle), and Rob Harbron (English concertina). Together, they explore English tunes with a fresh yet deeply rooted perspective, drawing on their individual mastery of their instruments to create a sound that is both timeless and strikingly original.

Andy Cutting is widely regarded as one of the finest melodeon players of his generation. A three-time winner of the BBC Folk Awards’ Best Musician title, he has collaborated with an impressive array of artists, including June Tabor, Kate Rusby, Martin Simpson, Blowzabella, and even Roger Daltrey of The Who. Sam Sweeney, named the 2015 BBC Folk Awards Musician of the Year, is a virtuoso fiddler best known for his work with Bellowhead, as well as projects like The Full English and his solo work including Unearth Repeat and The Unfinished Violin. Rob Harbron, described by The Guardian as a “concertina wizard”, has a uniquely inventive approach to the English concertina and is known for his work with artists including Emily Portman, Jon Boden, and The Full English.

Leveret’s music is firmly grounded in the English folk tradition but stands apart thanks to its spontaneous nature. The trio eschew conventional arrangements, instead relying on mutual trust, keen listening, and real-time musical interplay.  This approach ensures that no two performances are ever the same, offering audiences a uniquely spontaneous experience that feels both ancient and contemporary. Their repertoire blends original settings of traditional tunes with new compositions crafted by the trio, who are themselves regarded as some of the finest tunesmiths in modern folk music.

Over their 12+ years together, Leveret have released a string of critically acclaimed albums that highlight their distinctive style and evolving creativity.  Their first album, New Anything (2015), introduced their elegant and intuitive take on traditional material, earning widespread praise. Subsequent releases, including Diversions (2019), Variations Live (2020), and Forms (2023), have continued to demonstrate their ability to unearth and reimagine traditional gems, and their latest release Lost Measures (2025) features another great selection of rediscovered traditional tunes alongside some fine original pieces.

The show in 2026 will be part of a special all-requests tour where the set list will be entirely chosen by the audience. The band’s entire discography is on the table — and the entire setlist will be shaped by the audience.  As you arrive, you’ll be invited to write down your tune requests and drop them into the request box. Then, live on stage, Leveret will draw them out and bring your choices to life.

The trio’s chemistry is a cornerstone of their appeal. Critics have lauded the “almost telepathic interplay” between Cutting, Sweeney, and Harbron as they weave their melodies together. Reviews from outlets like The Guardian, Mojo, and fROOTS have praised their “glorious” intuitive playing, “sublime” musicianship, and the “feel-good warmth” they generate on stage.

Leveret—named after the term for a young hare—embodies the spirit of English folk with a poise and grace that feels both understated and revolutionary. Their music, described as possessing a “very English kind of swing,” reinvents tradition with a modern sensibility, appealing to seasoned folk enthusiasts and newcomers alike.  As they continue to explore the endless potential of the folk tune, Leveret remains a vital and exhilarating force in the contemporary folk scene, proving that tradition is not static but a living, breathing art form ripe for reinvention.

Age restrictions: All ticket holders aged 14 and under must be accompanied by an adult.

For full venue accessibility please visit: https://stollerhall.com/your-visit/access/

If you have any special access requirements please let us know before purchasing a ticket by emailing info@englishfolkexpo.com