Shovel Dance Collective are a group of nine musicians united by a passion for the beauty, force, and political charge of the traditional musics of Britain, Ireland and beyond. They are committed to Folk music not as an archaeological artifact to be unearthed, but as a living communal activity - inviting and generous to those it speaks to. They arrange the source material into a kind of musique boue (mud music), simultaneously traditional and experimental they engage a deep, cross-temporal synthesis of free improvisation, tape manipulation and field recordings. Their music appears as a patchwork as pieces are stitched together, rearranged and recontextualised. The yarn is threaded with both their sense of aesthetic innovation, and with a deep sense of the ways in which traditional music holds the voices of the oppressed, the everyday and those who, by their labour, create the wealth of the world.
They have performed sold out shows across the UK, with headline concerts at venues such as Cecil Sharp House, Kings Place and Cafe OTO. The collective have appeared at many major festivals: Glastonbury, Roskilde, SXSW, Green Man, End of the Road, Sidmouth Folk Festival, Supernormal and Supersonic festivals among others. Publications such as The Wire, Loud and Quiet, NME, Financial Times and The Times have heralded their live performances across the years. Their first record ‘The Water is the Shovel of the Shore’ has been championed by The Wire, Folk Radio, Tradfolk and was named one of the albums of the year by The Quietus.
Their second album ‘The Shovel Dance’ will be released in October 2024 by American Dreams Records.
Find tickets with See Tickets: | Search now |
Where possible we will update our listings to notify of cancelled, postponed and rescheduled events, however we STRONGLY ADVISE that you check with the venue/organiser in the first instance for updates.
All information (whether in text or photographs) is supplied in good faith but should not be relied upon as being a statement of representation or fact.GOT AN EVENT TO SHARE? It's free to post your events on What's On Glasgow, click here to find out more!
Want to be the first to hear about what's happening in Glasgow? Just hit 'Like' on our Facebook page, join the What's On Scotland Facebook Group and 'Follow' on our Twitter account and you're all set!Don't miss Aimée Hinds live at Drygate on Sunday 22nd June where she'll be performing as part of Ultra Comedy in aid of WellBeing Scotland!
READ MORE2025 marks the 10th Anniversary of the UK number 1 album 'Jamie Lawson' which will see Jamie headline Drygate on Saturday 25th October in celebration!
READ MORELes Savy Fav are heading out on tour in support of new album OUI, LSF... don't miss them live at Drygate on Saturday 1st November!
READ MOREThe Herbaliser Band return in 2025 with a headline show at Glasgow Drygate on Monday 10th November!
READ MORESt Brides beautiful William Hill organ, nearly 160 years old, has been restored to its former glory! Join them for a monthly recital from a selection of experienced and talented organists.
READ MOREKaty Ellis a self obsessed 'Swiftie' with an incredible live band and dancers promises to deliver the most authentic recreation of a Taylor Swift show you will ever see at The Pavilion Theatre!
READ MOREBrought to you by Falasgair their resident Trad band, come along to Nice N Sleazy every Thursday for knee slapping traditional Scottish music!
READ MOREInspired by the open mic nights of Bourbon Street, Old Bohemia and their talented friends take to the stage and cover your favourite country classics at Maggie's Rock N Rodeo!
READ MOREGet ready to go buck wild at Maggies Rock N Rodeo's sellout Cowboy Ceilidh - the wildest country party this side of Texas!
READ MORESloans Famous Friday Ceilidh is back and it's bigger and better than ever... it's a must for everyone visiting Glasgow and any true weegie!
READ MOREJoin The Bobby Deans Big Band on Sunday afternoons at the Paloma Lounge for some great live big band sounds!
READ MOREMusic Bus Glasgow South are bringing their Sunday Sessions, designed with busy families in mind, to The Glad Cafe on selected dates through the year!
READ MOREWhether you strut like Tina Turner, can high kick like the Spice Girls or want belt out your inner Whitney Houston, Arta's Divas Through The Decades Tribute Night is sure to get you dancing!
READ MORE