KATIE SPENCER – Canopy Theatre, Hungate Church, Beccles Saturday 21 st November 2026 8.00 p.m.
‘A fine singer-songwriter, and an excellent guitarist’– Songlines Magazine ★★★★
Katie was born and raised in East Yorkshire and her songwriting, and most notably her guitar playing, stem from a time when the steel-stringed instrument was truly finding its voice. Artists like Joni Mitchell, James Taylor and perhaps most evidently Michael Chapman, flow into her sound, carrying with them the warmth and idealism of the early 70’s folk and songwriter movements.
Katie’s latest album What Love Is was released in October 2025 and is an intimate collection of ten brand-new songs produced by Matt Ingram (Laura Marling, The Staves). It reached #12 in the Official Folk Albums Chart upon release and went on to win “Album of the Year” in FATEA Magazine. Recorded in London’s Urchin Studios and featuring prominent players Giacomo Smith (clarinet), Max Clilverd (pedal steel), Tom Mason (double bass) and Matt Ingram (drums, synth).
The album evokes the spirit of Joni Mitchell’s finest later works, always honouring without emulating. Lyrically mature and at times pastoral; the album is melodically sophisticated and unflinchingly honest. She moves effortlessly from wide-open jazz-tinged soundscapes, influenced by Pharoah Sanders and John Abercrombie, through to the folk-baroque fingerpicking style that her fans admire her for.
Her singing is powerful yet warm, true and pristine in delivery. The musicianship throughout the record feels liberated by Katie’s innovation and confidence, and the result is a master-class of inspired and beautiful-sounding craftmanship. It follows second album, The Edge of the Land (2022), and her debut release, Weather Beaten (2019) (which was praised for its unique song-craft, spell-binding musicianship and crystal sonic clarity) as she brought together fans of music from all backgrounds and walks of life.
The inclusivity found in her recorded works is most apparent when on stage, with a personal connection and humour that allows the listener time to appreciate the emotion of the music. Her historical gig list is extensive, taking in the world-renowned Celtic Connections and Cambridge Folk Festival, whilst performances with Danny Thompson and Alan Thomson have left audiences in awe of her confidence and craftsmanship.
'Katie’s guitar playing has echoes of my dear friend the late great Bert Jansch. Like a musical weaver she threads her poetic lyrics through the guitar’s strings and produces little tapestries of song.' Ralph McTell
'Her articulate picking, with suggestions of folk and jazz, frames intelligently written songs and is the backbone to her music.'- Guitarist Magazine
'One of the most satisfying and spellbinding singer-songwriter collections I’ve encountered in some time.'- RnR Magazine
‘What Love Is” is a triumph. Katie deploys her signature vocal vibrato to devastating effect’– At The Barrier
“One of the most distinctive voices in folk music” – Folk London
For more info, music & video visit https://www.katiespencer.net/
Tickets are £15 from www.ticketsource.com/martello-promotions or 0333 666 3366