Award-winning English songwriter Lucy Farrell has backed up all her early folkie promise by releasing a startling good solo debut album. She’s in Newcastle this March.

And that startling good solo album is ‘We Are Only Sound’, which was released in February to much cheering from those of us who enjoy folk music that enraptures. It’s an album that collects together songs that are in turn haunting, heartfelt and full of melodic know-how. What’s more, her intelligent, intimate and feminist explorations of both traditional material and her own stuff are lifted by her crystal clear voice, as well as her sophisticated playing and unique musicality. Such material has seen her win over a diverse crowd, from students who’ve come to her stuff through festivals or streaming services, through to older audiences who have followed her keenly since her days as a voila-playing folk club regular. She’s joined on this tour by her husband Jake Charron (from award-winning Canadian trio The East Pointers), who’ll be guesting on guitar and piano. GM

Lucy Farrell + Jake Charron, Wednesday 22 March, The Cumberland Arms, Newcastle, 7.30pm, £12. 

thecumberlandarms.co.uk