The Magpies

The Magpies play the Kitchen Garden Cafe on Saturday 17 April, their first Birmingham date in a while. They're a transatlantic folk band from York, and they've built a name as one of the more innovative acts on the contemporary UK roots scene. The sound is built on tight harmonies and a mix of Anglo and American traditions, drawing from Celtic folk, bluegrass and Appalachian trails.

Founding members Bella Gaffney, on banjo and vocals, and Holly Brandon, on fiddle and vocals, are joined by singer-songwriter and guitarist Ellie Gowers. They work collaboratively, with the arrangements led by the vocals and a fair bit of instrumental ornamentation. Their album Undertow reached the Official Folk Chart Top 40 and earned them a BBC Radio 2 live session, and they run their own Magpies Festival at York's Sutton Park Stately Home.

They've toured a good deal, with UK festival highlights including Glastonbury, Cambridge, Shambala and Deer Shed, and they've played across the USA, Canada and Europe. A strong thread of feminism runs through their music, and they champion gender equality in the industry.

The gig is at the Kitchen Garden Cafe, 17 York Road, Kings Heath, B14 7SA, with the entrance via Fletchers Bar at 7 York Road. Doors open at 7:30pm and the music starts at 8:00pm. General admission is £18.00 plus a £1.80 booking fee, £19.80 in total.