Alison Cotton + The Silver Field
Alison Cotton brings her immersive viola, harmonium and vocal drones to Haarlem Artspace for a rare live performance.
Alison Cotton + support
Haarlem Artspace is pleased to present a rare live performance by London-based composer, vocalist, and multi-instrumentalist Alison Cotton.
Working with viola, harmonium, and layered vocal drones, Cotton creates immersive, slow-moving compositions that draw on landscape, memory, and historical narrative. Originally from Sunderland, she first emerged in the UK underground through bands including Saloon, The Eighteenth Day of May, and The Left Outsides, before launching her solo project in 2018.
Her debut album All Is Quiet at the Ancient Theatre introduced a distinctive, long-form approach rooted in place and atmosphere. Subsequent releases Only Darkness Now and The Portrait You Painted of Me expanded this language further, receiving widespread critical acclaim and appearing in The Quietus end-of-year lists, with Only Darkness Now topping their New Weird Britain chart. The Portrait You Painted of Me was also named Folk Record of the Month in The Guardian.
In 2024, Cotton released Engelchen, a deeply moving work inspired by Ida and Louise Cook and their efforts to help refugees escape Nazi Germany. Blending archival research with her signature drone-based sound, the album marked a further development in her narrative-driven compositions.
Her music has been regularly broadcast on BBC Radio 3 and BBC 6 Music, with sessions for Late Junction, Riley & Coe, and The New Music Show. She has performed extensively across the UK and Europe, appearing at festivals including Le Guess Who?, Roadburn, Krankenhaus, Supernormal, and Acid Horse.
Cotton’s records have been released through labels including Rocket Recordings, Feeding Tube Records, Cardinal Fuzz, Bloxham Tapes, and Clay Pipe Music. In 2025, her track The House of the Famous Poet featured in David Mackenzie’s film Relay.
With a sound that moves between experimental folk, drone, and minimalism, Alison Cotton has established herself as a singular voice in contemporary music.
“The power of this music is simply awe-inspiring. When Alison Cotton plays, the world stands still.” – The Quietus
“Some of the most moving, powerful music you’re likely to hear this year.” – NARC Magazine
Alison Cotton brings her immersive viola, harmonium and vocal drones to Haarlem Artspace for a rare live performance.
Alison Cotton + support
Haarlem Artspace is pleased to present a rare live performance by London-based composer, vocalist, and multi-instrumentalist Alison Cotton.
Working with viola, harmonium, and layered vocal drones, Cotton creates immersive, slow-moving compositions that draw on landscape, memory, and historical narrative. Originally from Sunderland, she first emerged in the UK underground through bands including Saloon, The Eighteenth Day of May, and The Left Outsides, before launching her solo project in 2018.
Her debut album All Is Quiet at the Ancient Theatre introduced a distinctive, long-form approach rooted in place and atmosphere. Subsequent releases Only Darkness Now and The Portrait You Painted of Me expanded this language further, receiving widespread critical acclaim and appearing in The Quietus end-of-year lists, with Only Darkness Now topping their New Weird Britain chart. The Portrait You Painted of Me was also named Folk Record of the Month in The Guardian.
In 2024, Cotton released Engelchen, a deeply moving work inspired by Ida and Louise Cook and their efforts to help refugees escape Nazi Germany. Blending archival research with her signature drone-based sound, the album marked a further development in her narrative-driven compositions.
Her music has been regularly broadcast on BBC Radio 3 and BBC 6 Music, with sessions for Late Junction, Riley & Coe, and The New Music Show. She has performed extensively across the UK and Europe, appearing at festivals including Le Guess Who?, Roadburn, Krankenhaus, Supernormal, and Acid Horse.
Cotton’s records have been released through labels including Rocket Recordings, Feeding Tube Records, Cardinal Fuzz, Bloxham Tapes, and Clay Pipe Music. In 2025, her track The House of the Famous Poet featured in David Mackenzie’s film Relay.
With a sound that moves between experimental folk, drone, and minimalism, Alison Cotton has established herself as a singular voice in contemporary music.
“The power of this music is simply awe-inspiring. When Alison Cotton plays, the world stands still.” – The Quietus
“Some of the most moving, powerful music you’re likely to hear this year.” – NARC Magazine
Good to know
Highlights
- 3 hours
- In-person
Refund Policy
Location
Haarlem Artspace
Market Place
Wirksworth DE4 4ET
How do you want to get there?
