The Space Between

Kicking off with a fiery, drum-pounding reel courtesy of Jerry Holland (‘Brenda Stubbert’s Reel’) and closing with the rather spooky pipe (organ, that is) tune, the Bonfire Radicals waste no time in barraging listeners with a selection of surprising, energetic and downright fun tunes and songs over a swift 30 minutes.

Fans of the much-missed Bellowhead will find plenty to enjoy here, with the Radicals providing an equally vigorous punk-esque spirit alongside a keen, and entirely genuine love of folk song and tradition. The band, through a frenzy of clarinet, fiddle, guitar, drums and accordion, take some familiar old songs, and new tunes, in thrilling and playful directions. Take, for example, Klezmer favourite ‘Freilacher Nashele’, which starts off fairly traditional before finishing with a friskier electric guitar and drum focused rhythm. ‘Satuma Moon’ sees the group in more experimental mood with a rather jaunty clarinet bounce, while Jon Wilks’ ‘Mary Ashford’ is given new lyrics by the band showcasing their melodramatic best with a heart-wrenching murder ballad. With an electrifying global sound, the Radicals deliver a swaggering, sweaty set guaranteed to get listeners up and dancing. Exhilarating and exuberant.