In a show combining songs and images, People’s History Museum ‘songwriter in residence’ Matt Hill (Quiet Loner) tells the story of the men and women – reformers, revolutionaries, chartists and suffragettes – who fought for our right to vote, finally achieved in 1928.
Drawing on historical source materials and first hand testimonies, Hill worked alongside museum curators to examine objects and artefacts in the collection and craft 10 original songs that bring back to life voices from the past.
In his work as ‘Quiet Loner’, Hill draws from the storytelling traditions of American folk and country music (he’s a previous recipient of Americana UK Album of the Year) but has a British, personal and political edge to his writing. This radical element led to Hill being invited by Billy Bragg to perform at Glastonbury Festival, appearing in a songwriters circle alongside Bragg and Amanda Palmer.
This event is part of Manchester Folk Festival – a celebration of English folk in all its forms, from indie to traditional, familiar names alongside exciting new voices. From 19-22 October in and around HOME, the whole festival takes place in one area of Manchester over one weekend. The Festival presents an incredible music line-up, as well as craft workshops, film, a proper pub singaround, artists in conversation and a relaxed Festival Hub where you can watch the world go by. Friendly, inclusive and full of opportunities for discovery, it will have the spirit of a festival in a field, in the heart of the city.
