Craven Music Match Showcase 2023

An exciting showcase of Craven musicians is taking place at Skipton Town Hall in February 2023. In collaboration with Craven Music Match and the Town Hall, this is an evening not to miss.

The gig will feature local artists from the second annual round of Craven Music Match – Twin II and Evie Clark, Richard Fairlie and Mark Swinden, The Lost Embers and Tommy Zen. This year’s collaborations saw eclectic fusions of folk, pop, rock and rap, with music videos filmed across Skipton’s town centre, including canal boats, pubs, the market and historical landmarks. As well as performing in their project collaborations, the gig will also give each artist a chance to perform solo and with other artists from the group.

This year saw the pairing up of underground hip hop artist Tommy Zen and acoustic duo The Lost Embers, and they produced a song called My Town. This fusion track features a catchy riff and subtle vocal harmonies, backed up by a solid hip hop beat. The video takes in the high street and local pub the Woolly Sheep, as well as filmed portraits of members of the public holding up a chalkboard sign with what home means to them. The Lost Embers came to music later in life, but have always been passionate about good song writing and harmonies, something which manifests itself naturally in their strong musical connection that flows effortlessly from stage to audience.

Twin II has been producing for 4 years and rapping for longer, and this project coincides with the release of his own self-penned material. Paired with Evie Clark, a theatre lover and singer, this collaboration will blow your socks off. Think Billie Eilish meets rap; rich sonic landscapes intertwined with intricate lyrical moves. Their song and video, “Paper Planes”, is both nostalgic and transient, accepting the choices made to leave and to return a changed person, featuring the dazzling local dancer Izzy Mitchell. Filmed in the Narrow Boat pub and Northern Dance Centre.

Richard Fairlie is a stalwart of the local open mic scene, swinging his guitar gallantly across the Aire Valley to perform at all sorts of events. Paired up with local composer Mark Swinden, the two produced a soft acoustic-rock track, featuring Mark on drums and Richard on vocals and guitar. Filmed majoratively outside, and also at the open mic at Skipton’s newly expanded Sound Bar, their video for their song “Little Barn” features the dreaming of a different kind of life, away from the city and embracing the freedom and open space a town like Skipton can offer. Full of heart and soul, deep vocals and intricate drumming.

Craven Music Match, funded by Craven District Council and Historic England as part of Skipton’s HAZ cultural programme, connects musicians from the area to build a supportive, diverse and open network spanning different genres, which can exchange knowledge and skills and be part of the growing live music scene in Skipton and the Craven area.