Last Train Home Express

Celebrating the launch of our 2024 Last Train Home Festival, Tracks Darlington presents Last Train Home Express!

Taking place in Darlington's Hopetown - the home of Darlington's railway heritage - we present a special and memorable night of live music from KATHRYN WILLIAMS & WITHERED HAND, with support from ELAINE PALMER and MAT HUNSLEY.

About the artists

Kathryn Williams is often described as “a songwriter’s songwriter”, her timeless and searching work has earned her accolades, critical acclaim, and a loyal fan-base. Her best-known work is characterised by rich and honest songwriting - but the magic of her music lies in the way that she has continually been able to evolve as an artist because she’s always looked outside of such genre boundaries. Scottish indie folk-pop act Withered Hand is the solo project of singer/songwriter Dan Willson. With his ragged tenor and often lo-fi, acoustic-based sound, Willson was a part of the Fife-based Fence Collective with acts like King Creosote and James Yorkston. 2022 saw him release his latest LP, ‘How To Love’, acclaimed by the likes of The New Yorker, The Scotsman, Folk Radio and more. Their collaborative album ‘Willson Williams’ witnesses the meeting of two likeminded musicians who’ve built their successful, independent careers on inventive folk instrumentation, reflective and sincere lyricism, and not a small amount of self-deprecation. 

Elaine Palmer hails from an isolated village up on the North Yorkshire Moors in
England but spent most of her life travelling back and forward to her family in
Phoenix, Arizona. Growing up in an old Watermill in the wilds of Yorkshire Elaine
surrounded herself by music, writing songs influenced by her surroundings and
music both in the UK and USA. Elaine finely honed her distinctive voice and built a
reputation for her emotive mesmerizing stage presence. Elaine has released a
handful of records and toured the UK extensively, playing with the likes of KT
Tunstall, Patty Griffin, Courtney Marie Andrews and Paolo Nutini. Her new album, Half Moon Rising, is out now.  MOJO: ‘With a beautifully conversational voice, an unerring sense of melody and a bittersweet and wistful repertoire, Elaine Palmer is undoubtedly a talent.’

Newcastle-based songwriter Mat Hunsley's music has been described as 'completely bewitching' and 'a spine-tingling indie-folk juggernaut', with rightful comparisons to the intricacy of Fleet Foxes and and the charm of Bright Eyes. His songs have received international airplay.