Candlelit Christmas Concerts

The Candlelit Christmas Concerts tour heads to Wales this week before returning to East Sussexfor the final gigs…

Last weekend Richard, Amy, Daisy and Django played four extraordinary shows at Ropetackle Arts Centre.  People seemed deeply affected with many saying afterwards how much they needed this musical escapism.

These shows were very moving for us from the moment we walked onstage, I think because there is so much to cry about at the moment.  In response the audience began to generate a strong, positive energy. I will never forget this uplifting feeling of humanity.

Says Richard

This week the show travels to Mid Wales at the wonderful Theatr Brycheiniog on Wednesday 20 December. Join us for this musical celebration of Christmas and Midwinter – all on Solstice Eve. 

As a special treat Richard and the band are staying in Cardiff on Tuesday…

They head up to Brecon the following day for their first gig in this lovely venue.  

The tour continues during the Solstice at Wilmington Church in East Sussex on Friday 22 December with both matinee and evening shows. This promises to be a truly magical end to the tour.

They are not taking the show to Theatre Clwyd this year due to their major refurb – but don’t miss our hour long film from Richard’s 2023 Clwyd performance…

Premiering on YouTube at 11am this Christmas Day.

RICHARD DURRANT’S CANDLELIT CHRISTMAS CONCERTS 

Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon – 20 December

Wilmington Church – 22 December

Richard Durrant and Sallie Durham

Join Richard Durrant for one of his festive Candlelit Christmas Concerts from 9 December and discover what happened when he collaborated with prize-winning poet Sallie Durham…

Sallie published her first collection I Left My Hair in San Francisco with Indigo Dreams in May 2022. Recently she worked with composer, guitar maestro and barefoot troubadour, Richard Durrant to create a new song for the festive season. 

Richard’s much-loved Candlelit Christmas Concerts have started the festive season for Sallie and her family for many years. So when he suggested a collaboration she was delighted with the challenge.

By a stroke of luck I had already written my own version of Robert Frost’s deceptively simple yet unfathomable ‘Stopping By Woods on a Snowy Evening’. Soon after re-reading this poem I wrote ‘The Shortest Day’ while walking through fields of ripe barley – proving that it is possible to think about midwinter in midsummer.

Says Sallie

Stopping By Woods on a Snowy Evening and The Shortest Day will feature in Richard’s 2023 Christmas shows.

“I have enormous respect for Sallie as an artist and value enormously the fact that her observations on midwinter are part of my show. The songs we have created together provide a gentle, thought provoking oasis in the set.

Says Richard
Richard Durrant's Candlelit Christmas Concerts

Don’t miss Richard, Amy, Daisy and Django perform their most wintry show yet with a programme packed full of Christmas favourites, carols and brand new songs by every member of the band.

RICHARD DURRANT’S CANDLELIT CHRISTMAS CONCERTS
9-22 December 2023

  • Ropetackle Arts Centre
  • Theatr Brycheiniog
  • Wilmington Church
Amy Kakoura

It’s been 10 years since Richard Durrant invited young singer Amy Kakoura to join him on his UK Christmas Tour – and he has not looked back since…

The first time Richard heard Amy sing he knew we could create something magical.

’Here was a voice that combined an early music vibe with a folky, Pagan purity and a Christian message of hope for us all. It made me reach for my guitar.’

Says Richard

Richard has created his own unique brand of musical winter magic over the years, carefully avoiding the more commercial aspects of Christmas. 

Embracing both the Christian and Pagan landscape of these islands, his music hypnotises his audiences until they really do believe in Father Christmas!

Since 2023 Richard has brought another fascinating twist to his continuing wintry saga with the involvement of his family.

While Daisy Durrant has contributed songs to previous tours, this is her first time on the road singing and adding new instrumental colour with accordion, fiddle, whistles, piano and hammond.

His daughter Daisy and oldest son Django both bring new songs and instruments to the midwinter table.  They are a duo not to be underestimated.

Younger brother Django is now on his fourth Christmas tour offering his distinctive new songs, singing, playing drums and keyboards. He is currently studying music and music psychology at Leeds University.

Richard Durrant's Candlelit Christmas Concerts

But it is perhaps at Christmas that Richard Durrant’s musical gift shines brightest. Catch him and his musical mates on the Christmas tour if you possibly can.

RICHARD DURRANT’S CANDLELIT CHRISTMAS CONCERTS
9-22 December 2023

  • Ropetackle Arts Centre
  • Theatr Brycheiniog
  • Wilmington Church
Richard Durrant's Candlelit Christmas Concerts

It’s that time of year when the Durrant Christmas band assemble for a week of intensive rehearsals in preparation for their much celebrated Candlelit Christmas Concerts tour…

Richard’s Candlelit Christmas Concerts begin on 9 and 10 December at the Ropetackle Arts Centre, but of course the work begins long before.

Daisy Durrant joins the band for her first tour and has contributed much to the show over the years including some fantastic original songs. These will be performed alongside new material by Django, Amy and Richard.

Richard with Christmas band members Django and Daisy

2023 is also the 10th anniversary of Amy Kakoura joining the show – described by Richard as ‘the Voice of Christmas’.

There will also be a chance to hear some much loved, four part carols with this very satisfying ‘SATB’ spread of voices.

The Midwinter Christmas Collection

Meanwhile, you can listen to The Midwinter Christmas Collection on SPOTIFY

This collection is also available on other streaming platforms and downloadable from our ONLINE SHOP

Richard invites everyone to Come along and join this musical celebration of Christmas and Midwinter.’

RICHARD DURRANT’S CANDLELIT CHRISTMAS CONCERTS
9-22 December 2023

  • Ropetackle Arts Centre
  • Theatr Brycheiniog
  • Wilmington Church
French Guitar Adventurers

Richard’s next French Guitar Adventurers 22-28 April

This popular residential guitar course takes place each April in a beautiful, secluded location in the Charente region of France.

  • Daily study on classical guitars
  • Grade 5 to advanced level
  • Five days’ group practice
  • Culminating in a public concert
  • Magnificent location

This is a chance to effect real change in your playing under Richard’s careful guidance.

‘We will thoroughly explore standing to play whilst spending time on breathing techniques and key awareness – all part of getting the most from your daily practise and moving your playing on.’

Says Richard

There are currently just three spaces remaining (plus partners – more player spaces available if sharing a room). 

Book now to avoid disappointment

Richard Durrant pictured re-gig at St Michael's Church Lewes (photo: Felix Durrant)

Richard’s highly successful Autumn Equinox tour was full of great music and lovely people…

‘It’s hard to pick moments from such a magical week: from seeing authors Phillip Carr-Gomm and Tom Cutler sitting in the same row with recorder player Piers Adams and composer Peter Copley at Lewes, to Pete Howlett presenting me with a newly finished Terz guitar to play my encore in Bangor! It was one of those weeks…’

Says Richard

Concerts in St Michael’s Lewes, Pound Arts Corsham, Bangor and Plas Tan y Bwlch all went down a storm. And for their big Saturday night gig North Wales Guitar Circle did well to book Penrhyn Hall – the former home to the BBC Light Orchestra with its famous acoustic.

‘Thanks to everyone who worked at the venues. You confirmed that I have the best job in the world.’

Added Richard

Richard and Louise are currently booking the 2024 Autumn Equinox Tour: The Number 26 Bus To Paraguay.

Photographs – top: Richard pictured pre-gig at St Michael’s Church Lewes (photography by Felix Durrant) and pre-gig for Harlech Music Society at Plas Tan y Bwlch North Wales (photograph by Louise Durrant)

Love Song for Europe

Richard has been busy recording and filming the two tracks of Love Song for Europe in time for the Autumn Equinox Concerts…

There is a solo guitar version and also a trio version featuring Richard with Gareth Huw Davies (double bass) and Stephen Hiscock (percussion) from The Burning Deck.

Trio performing Love Song for Europe

The new recordings will be available on all digital download platforms at the moment of sunrise in Sussex on Autumn Equinox: 6.26am on Thursday 21st September

All streaming proceeds will go to UNICEF

Autumn Equinox Concerts 2023

The two tracks in hi-rez audio (96-24 ALAC or FLAC) are ready to purchase now in Richard’s online shop.

Richard’s Autumn Equinox Concert Series will include Love Song for Europe. The concerts will begin in the beautiful church of St Michael’s, Lewes this Thursday.

‘These gigs all begin with music from Spain and South America but then head north for suitably autumnal British folk and my own homespun works.’

‘I’m looking forward to singing ‘The Ant and the Grasshopper’ as the leaves begin to fall and the evenings draw in.’

Says Richard
Richard Durrant

The glories of August are something to behold but these golden days inevitably lead us to the excitement of the Autumn Equinox…

To help us pause and mark this moment in the year of our planet Richard is playing three special solo concerts with music to reflect and compare the intensity of summer and the gentle beauty of a new autumn.

New release

We are thrilled to bring you news of Richard’s forthcoming new single. The beautiful music on this double A side release will go live on all streaming platforms at sunrise on 21st September.

Right now all we can show you is Jon Everitt’s exquisitely painted cover art and announce that Richard has diverted all streaming revenue from this release to UNICEF:

The recording and filming of the single is taking place this Sunday 27th August in Shoreham with Stephen and Gareth from The Burning Deck.

Watch this space!

Music for Midsummer at Brighton Open Theatre

There is just one final concert at the Ropetackle Arts Centre in Shoreham on 28 July with a musical celebration to begin the summer holidays…

Richard says: 
Thanks to all who came to see me during my Music for Midsummer Tour 2023.  It was a dusty, sun-drenched adventure of satisfyingly diverse gigs. I travelled through some of the most beautiful countryside of any tour so far and met some remarkable people on the roadside and at the shows.

After the ride from North Wales to South Devon via Manchester, Lincolnshire and Ross on Wye, I returned home to play my last shows in and around Sussex. Here I am under the spotlight at the Trinity Theatre, Tunbridge Wells:’

Two shows were played with my quartet The Burning Deck. Corin Buckeridge, Stephen Hiscock, Gareth Huw Davies and I gathered around the Bicyclatter and played some tracks new and old including Triskellion from Rewilding and the recently re-released Wilbury Summer. The picture at the top is us at the Brighton Open Air Theatre...’

Before I get my deck chair out, I have one last concert at Ropetackle Arts Centre in Shoreham on Friday 28th July – a musical celebration to begin the summer holidays. I’ll be joined on stage by some old mates including Stephen and Gareth from The Burning Deck.’

Don’t forget to listen to Richard’s re-release of Wilbury Summer!

Meanwhile, have a great summer yourselves!

Music for Midsummer 2023

The first leg of the tour saw Richard cycle around 700 miles through some of the most beautiful Welsh and English countryside in perfect, unbroken sunshine…

To mark the summer solstice Richard is releasing a remastered version of his 1997 track Wilbury Summer. 

This is the original recording originally heard on The Summer E.P with Herbie Flowers on double bass, Nick Pynn on dulcimer and Tom Arnold on Hammond.

And to celebrate further he’ll be playing Wilbury Summer at all the remaining gigs and a selection of his other original tracks with his quartet The Burning Deck…

Meet The Burning Deck


Stephen Hiscock
Drums & Bicyclatter

Founder member of Ensemble Bash, Stephen has toured the world several times (once with Stewart Copeland!).

Stephen has worked regularly with Sarah Angliss and Harrison Birtwistle. He also composes and has released several solo albums. Stephen has played Richard’s creation The Bicyclatter as part of the Richard Durrant Orchestra and played the bicycles on Richard’s album Cycling Music.


Gareth Huw Davis
Bass

Gareth has performed all over the world collaborating with and recording for Graham Coxon, Sir Willard White, Simple Minds, Chrissie Hynde, Echo and the Bunnymen, Charlie Dore, the Tootsie Rollers and the BBC National Orchestra of Wales.

Gareth and Richard first worked together in The Richard Durrant Orchestra in 2017/18 and have collaborated ever since – notably on Daisy Durrant’s lockdown videos where he totally stole the show with his Reasons to be Cheerful bass line!


Corin Buckeridge 
Keys

A composer and instrumentalist, Corin has worked with Ian Drury,  Trevor Nunn, Charlton Heston and written music for the RSC (and so many others).

Corin studied at Oxford, conducts in the West End and has released several solo albums. Some of Richard’s earliest gigs were with his mate Corin when they were in their mid teens!


The tour begins again at Brighton Open Air Theatre on Midsummer’s day (21st June 7pm), continuing further dates in the south east.