The electrifying sound of Birmingham’s fiery, (un)traditional folk band Bonfire Radicals is both intensely creative and irresistibly fun. Their live set is a frenzy of energy – "dynamic and high octane" (Fatea Magazine) – and captures the adventurous breadth of their musical imaginations which emerge from a melting pot of original and traditional tunes from the British Isles to the Balkans. Rhythmic grooves, instrumental fireworks, rich vocal harmonies and delicate a cappella all collide and explode into a "crashing rollercoaster of sound…alive with possibility and thrills" (Folk Radio).
Their recently released album, 'The Space Between', was met with great acclaim and went straight into the UK Folk Charts at #13.
The band features a female front line of recorders, fiddle, clarinet, and vocals set alongside a punchy rhythm section of electric guitar, bass, and drums. French melodies decorate African groves, delicate English folk song is underscored by Heavy Metal, Klezmer moves through moments of Art Rock, Brazilian drumming accompanies snapping Scottish Strathspeys…
Bonfire Radicals have been delighting audiences across the UK with their vibrant approach to traditional and contemporary folk music, and they are quickly making a name for themselves as "an outfit who specialises in creating a raucous and danceable feast" (At the Barrier).
"A serious powerhouse of a performance ... foot-stomping and adrenalin-powered and came on like folk music played by ravers." - The Artsdesk ★★★★
"With an electrifying global sound, the Radicals deliver a swaggering, sweaty set guaranteed to get listeners up and dancing. Exhilarating and exuberant" - Songlines ★★★★
"Boundary challenging" – RnR
"Bonfire Radicals are a proper folk melting pot, a hot, simmering six-piece whose banging and crashing rollercoaster of sound is alive with possibility and thrills… wholly unpredictable and astonishingly eclectic." - Folk Radio
"An absolutely brilliant way to round off the night. High energy, superb musicianship - Bonfire Radicals have it all! We will definitely be seeing them back at FolkEast!" - FolkEast
"Complex and contemporary, edgy and exploratory, Bonfire Radicals burn at borders of folk, rock and classical genres." - Irish Music Magazine
"Birmingham's finest progressive folk band" - TradFolk
