Fold
We are Fold, a Leeds-based music collective with four core members and many collaborators. By incorporating a wide range of voices including MCs, poets, historical speakers and singers into our music we aim to amplify humanitarian perspectives and critical reflections on today’s world. We prioritise affirming messages, critical thinking and emotional journeys that help reconnect listeners with the humanity of others.
Having cultivated both a devoted underground following and a few rebellious friends in high places, our tunes are played on BBC 6 Music, BBC Radio One, Amazing Radio and many other independent stations across the world. We’ve played shows all over the UK including a live session for Lauren Laverne on BBC 6 Music, two opening slots for Public Service Broadcasting and another for Ibibio Sound Machine. Our music has been featured in The Times, The Guardian and The NME and many more. Every national radio play or bit of press coverage is a major victory for us, not because we’re after fame & fortune but because they help amplify the humanitarian perspectives in our music.
Apart from the social commentary in our music, we’re always keen to lend direct support to urgent causes wherever possible. We have participated in numerous benefit gigs for refugees, migrants and asylum seekers. We supplied a widely acclaimed remix of hip-hop duo Ceiling Demons for the UK CALM charity. We also released an emergency track to raise money for wounded civilians in Gaza during Israeli bombing raids in 2014 and more recently donated several tracks to compilations raising money for Gazans amidst the ongoing devastation.
On a local level, there were severe floods in Leeds a few years back that wrecked several rehearsal spaces and recording studios. These were hugely important to the music community. We took part in a benefit gig at The Brudenell Social Club (best independent venue in the North of England) as one of the headliners and managed to help raise enough funds to save all of those businesses effected. Most recently, we’ve received a grant from the Mayor of West Yorkshire to run a music production workshop for young people facing barriers in our area.