They jammed with Jimi Hendrix and opened Led Zeppelin’s 1979 farewell Knebworth knees-up. They played at the first Isle of Wight Festival in August 1968, the inaugural Glastonbury Fayre at Worthy Farm in 1971 and have shared stages with some of music’s most lauded names – Fleetwood Mac, T-Rex, Pink Floyd and Lou Reed.
Now, seminal UK Folk Rockers Fairport Convention are announcing their 2027 Diamond Anniversary celebrations – including a full UK Tour; a handful of shows commemorating their first ever live engagement back in May 1967; and what promises to be a very special Cropredy Convention in August.
Legendary British bands with nearly 60 years skin in the game are pretty scarce nowadays, yet Fairport Convention still maintain a sound, stagecraft and touring regime that leaves most other groups in the weeds. The current line-up – Simon Nicol, Dave Pegg, Ric Sanders, Chris Leslie and Dave Mattacks – continues to define the genre they created 6 decades ago and delight long-term fans and new converts in equal measure.
In fact, Fairport may be able to claim to be the only Sixties survivor band still in continuous employment, with two annual UK Tours – plus, their own sell-out annual Summer festival at Cropredy, North Oxfordshire, which sees thousands of devoted fans happily join them for three days in a field and itself nearing a half century since beginning.
Although it’s a tale familiar to their legions of fans across the world, it’s one worth repeating here… The band came together in 1967, convening above Simon Nicol’s father’s medical practice in a house called “Fairport” in Muswell Hill. They played their first ever live performance at St Michael’s Church Hall in Golders Green on 27 May 1967 and soon caught the ear of producer Joe Boyd who secured them a recording contract with Island Records.
Simon Nicol said: “It’s a complete privilege to be part of Fairport and for the band to be holding its own musically and commercially after six decades of finding our own way and making thousands of people happy with what we do. We love our job and I think it shows!”
Their debut self-titled album came out before the end of the year, beginning a run of stunning LPs leading to 1969’s ‘Liege and Lief’ – voted the “The Most Influential Folk Album of All Time” by the BBC Radio 2 listeners.
Fairport Convention’s history is interwoven with that of British Rock and Roots music. Their members have contributed to some of the most seminal and legendary albums of the past 60 years – Vashti Bunyan’s ‘Just Another Diamond Day’, Nick Drake’s ‘Five Leaves Left’ & ‘Bryter Layter’, John Martyn’s ‘Solid Air’ and Paul McCartney’s ‘Tug of War.’
Former alumni have gone on to form their own groups furthering the British Folk Rock sound – with The Albion Band, Fotheringay, Mathews Southern Comfort & Steeleye Span all shaping the way Folk music has developed over the ensuing decades.
Fairport have always done things their own way. On one of only three ‘Top Of The Pops’ appearances – in August, 1969 – they covered the Bob Dylan classic “If You Gotta Go” but sang it in French, choosing to dress as French onion sellers with stripey tops, Basque berets and alliums strung round their necks – at total variance with the emerging Glam Rock scene of the time.
In yet another departure from the industry norm, the most settled line-up of their careers came not at the beginning – when a bewildered music press labelled them Fairport Confusion – but decades afterwards. The two “latest” recruits, fiddler Ric Sanders and songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Chris Leslie, joined 40 and 30 years ago, respectively.
Fairport Convention have been there, done that, and bought everyone a round at the bar whilst they were at it. Founding fathers who have maintained an enviable legacy, despite the tragedies, line-up changes and missteps that sixty turns around the sun inevitably brings. Their Diamond Anniversary is set to be a very special moment in time and an opportunity to see a powerhouse musical force cement it’s rightful place in the annals of popular music.
Fairport Convention’s 60th year in the business begins on Tuesday 23rd February 2027, with the start of their Spring UK Tour. Taking in 24 dates across England and Wales, the 5-piece will present a vibrant mix of long-established Fairport favourites alongside fresh surprises from across their extensive catalogue – a rare chance to experience the band’s history, heart, and humour in one unforgettable evening.
Commemorating their first ever live performance at St Michael’s Church Hall in Golders Green on 27th May 1967, join Fairport Convention as they celebrate their official 60th Anniversary with a handful of landmark performances in May 2027, honouring six decades of musical innovation.
The current lineup – Simon Nicol on guitar and vocals, Dave Pegg on bass guitar and vocals, Ric Sanders on violin, Chris Leslie on fiddle, mandolin, bouzouki, banjo and vocals, and Dave Mattacks on drums and keyboards – will be joined by some very special guests reflecting the band’s rich and storied history – including Richard Thompson, Iain Matthews and Kellie While. These celebratory concerts promise a joyful reunion, timeless songs, and a tribute to the enduring spirit of British folk rock.
Plans are well underway for the 2027 edition of Fairport’s Cropredy Convention (12-14 August), and whilst our lips are still sealed at this stage, it’s shaping up to be one of the best yet. Fairport’s traditional 150 minute closing set will be a celebration of all 60 years, in the company of some very special guests, including Richard Thompson, Iain Matthews and Kellie While, plus an amazing festival line-up.
November 2nd will also see another very special occasion – Dave Pegg’s 80th Birthday Party, to be celebrated in suitable form with a unique concert at Dudley Town Hall.
Dave Pegg said: “I’m a Brummie lad and Dudley Town Hall holds many memories for me – from having my 50th Birthday Party there many moons ago, it seems fitting to be back in the Black Country celebrating my 80th”This one-off celebration will feature Dave Pegg, Fairport Convention, and a host of distinguished musical friends, coming together to honour a remarkable career and lasting contribution to music. Expect an evening filled with outstanding performances, memorable collaborations, favourite songs, and heartfelt tributes; taking in his enduring role with Fairport Convention and years with Jethro Tull.
A fitting celebration for a true musical legend, and an event not to be missed by folk and rock fans alike.
Fairport Convention
60th Anniversary Dates
Spring 2027 UK Tour
23rd February-21st March, 2027
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Diamond Anniversary Shows
Perth, Concert Hall (as part of Perth Festival)
Monday 24th May, 2027
Tickets Here
Manchester, New Century Hall
Tuesday 25th May, 2027
Tickets Here
Birmingham, Town Hall
Wednesday 26th May, 2027
Tickets Here
London, Union Chapel
Thursday 27th May, 2027
SOLD OUT
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Fairport’s Cropredy Convention 2027
12-14th August, 2027
Cropredy, Oxfordshire
[ON SALE: 10.00am, Monday 7 December]
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Peggy’s 80th Birthday
Tuesday 2nd November, 2027
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Autumn 2027 UK Tour
Dates To Be Announced Soon
