A six-piece signposting all kinds of exciting new directions on Newcastle’s “weird-folk” scene? Yes, please!

The region’s folk scene hasn’t been in a healthier state for many a year – particularly if you like your folk to be slightly bent out of shape, pushing at doors that others don’t even notice. And Powtes – who formed in 2023 – are certainly a band that have quickly established themselves as real players on that scene. They caught our attention with single ‘Green Afterglow’, and they’ve followed that initial promise with an album, ‘Destroying a Living’, which showcases the band’s incredibly evocative sound. Apparently, the songs began as a series of ballads for solo guitar and voice, but they’ve been reworked, via a process of collective improvisation, into something unique. Melodic, timeless, and with a feel of being steeped in an ancient kind of magic, these life-affirming tracks are pure balm for tattered souls. The band have already played with the likes of Richard Dawson, Nev Clay and The Unthanks, and I certainly believe they belong in that sort of company. (Note: The album is due for release on 7 August.) DP

Seek: powtes.bandcamp.com