The Bookshop Band

“Not just good but achingly good” The New York Times

“It’s a modern day Twinkle meets fairytale-land for adults. You’ll be smitten.” BBC 6Music

The award winning Bookshop Band write and perform songs inspired by books. Formed in September 2010 they released their first album two months later and have since released 13 albums collaborating with over 100 authors, including Philip Pullman, Louis de Bernieres and Margaret Atwood.

They have toured extensively around the UK, Europe, Canada and America, and are equally at home in a bookshop, at an arts centre, in a folk club or on a festival main-stage. They have been commissioned by the BBC, The V&A, and most recently by Aardman Animations to compose the music and songs for thier Oscar and BAFTA Nominated musical Robin Robin, with the band picking up an Ivor Novello Award nomination for their score.

The band have been working with producer and musician Pete Townshend (The Who) on their 14th studio album, due for release in late 2023. Between them Beth Porter and Ben Please bring the books to the stage along with a multitude of instruments, including cello, harmonium, glockenspiel, guitars and ukuleles which, along with their distinct voices, create a cinematic sound that draws the audience right in to a highly intimate performance, at once touching and mesmerizing, heart wrenching and funny.

No previous knowledge of the books is required as the band guide the audience through the stories behind each song’s inspiration. Beth has performed and recorded with Peter Gabriel, The Proclaimers and is part of The Lost Words Spell Songs alongside musicians including Karine Polwart, Kris Drever and Julie Fowlis. The band are based in Wigtown, Scotland’s Book Town.

Pete Townshend, The Who “I am enchanted, such variation and delicacy… such latent power, really great work. It reminded me of my days listening to Sandy Denny and Fairport [Convention] and The Incredible String Band… - a great discovery and inspiration.”

Margaret Atwood “The band are great!”

Bob Harris, BBC Radio 2 “Really fabulous new music... just delightful.”