Lisa Knapp & Gerry Diver

About Event

Norwich Arts Centre | 51 St Benedicts Street, Norwich, NR2 4PG

This is a seated event.

Lisa Knapp and Gerry Diver, a dynamic duo, fuse their deep-seated love for English and Irish folk traditions into a vibrant project that’s as grounded in tradition as it is daring in innovation. With Knapp’s distinctive voice and her skill in weaving the ancient with the contemporary, alongside Diver’s fiddle virtuosity and trailblazing production, they’re crafting an auditory journey that honours the past while boldly stepping into new musical territories. This partnership is poised to enchant traditional folk purists and new seekers alike, promising a fresh, exhilarating spin on folk music’s timeless tales.

Lisa Knapp’s debut album ‘Wild & Undaunted’ in 2007 saw her emerge as a distinctive voice in British folk, becoming known for her captivating vocals and highly imaginative approach. Deeply rooted in the folk traditions of Britain and beyond, she also garnered a highly coveted BBC Radio 2 Folk Award for her song writing on ‘Hidden Seam’. Her 2017 release, ‘Till April is Dead ~ A Garland of May’, featuring Blur’s Graham Coxon, now celebrated as a modern classic, is an exhilarating deep dive into historic songs and rituals of May. Recently, her voice graced the closing song of the Oscar- nominated film “Living” (2022). Aps part of the Hack Poets Guild with Marry Waterson and Nathaniel Mann, she’s released ‘Blackletter Garland’ (One Little Independent 2023), showcasing her ongoing evolution and collaborative spirit in the folk scene.

Gerry Diver, a visionary composer, producer, Irish fiddler, and multi- instrumentalist, has significantly impacted the folk scene. His innovative “Speech Project” featured folk icons like Christy Moore, Shane MacGowan, Martin Hayes, and others in a collaborative masterpiece described as ‘ground-breaking’ by The Guardian. Diver’s role as an award-winning producer shines in his contributions to a host of contemporary folk albums.

Diver has displayed his versatility by working with a broad spectrum of artists, including Damon Albarn, Sinéad O’Connor, Tom Robinson, Benjamin Zephaniah, and many others, showcasing his ability to transcend musical boundaries. His creative prowess extends to the cinematic and television realms, where he has written soundtracks for various movie scores and BBC dramas, further establishing his reputation as a multi-faceted artist.