Music at GMC

Concert: Folk Evening: Megson in Concert Date: Saturday 1st March, 2008 Performers: Megson - Stu Hanna & Debbie Palmer CD available: No Programme Durham Gaol Butternut Hill Smoke of Home Flood Waters Grace Darling More than Me Every Night When the Sun Goes In I Lied Just Stay +++ Interval +++ Rose on the Stem Just as the Tide Working Town Keep the Wheels a' Turnin' Freefall Follow It On Fell to the Breeze Encore: Tally-i-o the Grinder

A delightful evening of captivating songs, poignant lyrics, beautiful harmonies and impeccable musicianship was on offer when northerners Stu Hanna and Debbie Palmer (who make up the up-and-coming folk duo 'Megson') visited 'Music at GMC' to give a special concert on Saturday, 1st March. With a debut album 'On the Side' under their belts and a self titled EP, Megson are fast making waves amongst the British folk/roots scene.

In 2004 Stu & Debs were living in London and, armed with a selection of original and traditional songs, they began to play the London acoustic scene soon picking up a strong following. Since then, Megson have gone from strength to strength playing up and down the country at festivals, folk clubs and acoustic venues. They have won over many new fans with their easy stage manner and vibrant performances.

Highlights so far have included a slot in the club tent at Cambridge Folk Festival 2005 which led to a review in County Music People where they were described as 'enthralling'. Other notable gigs include supports to Karine Polwart, Bob Fox and being asked by Seth Lakeman to provide support on his 'post Mercury nomination' 2005 tour. More recently, award winning roots duo 'Show of Hands' invited Megson to perform at their 2006 Abbotsbury summer festival and have since regularly asked them to be their support act.

Megson released their debut album 'On the Side' in 2005 and one of the fans of the album included Bob Harris who played tracks on his Radio 2 shows and commented "how gorgeous was that...absolutely beautiful". It was also well received in various magazines and Seth Lakeman has said "for my money Megson are amongst the most exciting trailblazers of British Contemporary Folk".

Their latest album 'Smoke of Home', released in the Summer of 2007, is an impressive follow up. It coincided with a live session on the BBC 2 Radio Bob Harris show following which Megson took to the road to appear at clubs and festivals throughout the UK. Festival appearances included Wimborne, Saul, Cambridge, Sidmouth and Shrewsbury, among others.

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