Thursday 8th October 2026 at York Theatre Royal
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York Theatre Royal’s Paint Shop season transforms the studio space into a cabaret spot, seating audiences at tables rather than rows, and adding a little ambience with overhead lampshades offering muted lighting. It’s a great way to showcase studio work, and a great space for a show like this one, an easy listening evening of folk music from Evolution of Fishermen.
The group are a youthful bunch who met at Rose Buford College – made up of Sam Lightfoot-Loftus as lead vocal and guitarist, Lucinda Freeburn on violin (with some pretty impressive technical moments) and vocals, Bella Band on flute, and Morgan (didn’t catch the surname unfortunately) and Loris Scarpa completing the line-up on drum and bass. Naturally, all contribute to some pretty harmonies, offering depth and intensity when needed, led by front man Lightfoot-Loftus’ mellow, gentle voice as cornerstone.
The band pay tribute to existing folk songs
with particular nods to a few of Irish origin but mostly offer their own work. It’s a classic folky playlist, moving between gentle lilts, pacier numbers and of course, a fair few songs brought to life with the lively rhythm of a drum. Lyrics play around with ye olde lore, doing particularly well on a number about a shore-side killer of old undone by their final would-be victim. But the majority of songs hover around love and family, telling tales as they go.
Patter between songs is mixed, naturally, but the band are a talented bunch who clearly enjoy the camaraderie of it all alongside the music, creating an easy, relaxed atmosphere with a good sense of warmth – and they’re not shy of a good relatable anecdote!
More listings for the Paint Shop season can be found here; more information about Evolution of Fishermen can be found here.
Image credit: Millie Stephens
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