We’re delighted to welcome the award winning Bookshop Band to Burnley Words Festival for a unique and magical concert of songs inspired by books, curated by the award winning bookshop Mr B’s Emporium of Reading Delights. Since their inception in 2010 Ben Please and Beth Porter have been on quite a journey, touring the USA and Canada, and working with authors such as Philip Pullman, Margaret Atwood and Robert Macfarlane. Beth also became part of the folk-supergroup Lost Words Spell Songs while The Bookshop Band began writing the score and songs for Aardman Animations’ first musical, Robin Robin, receiving OSCAR, BAFTA and Ivor Novello Award nominations in the process. They have also been working with Pete Townshend who is producing (and features on) their forthcoming album, due for release in late 2023. So sit back and let the band whisk you away for a musical evening inspired by the books they have loved, and hopefully you’ll come away with a few new recommendations yourself.

The New York Times

“Not just good but achingly good”

BBC 6Music

“It’s a modern day Twinkle meets fairytale-land for adults. You’ll be smitten.”

Pete Townshend, The Who

“I am enchanted, such variation and delicacy… such latent power, really great work. It reminded me of my days listening to Sandy Denny and Fairport [Convention] and The Incredible String Band… – a great discovery and inspiration.”

Margaret Atwood