Flook

Flook play the Crucible Theatre on Saturday 16 January 2027, starting at 19:00. They're an Anglo-Irish instrumental folk band, and the sound comes from flutes and whistles, guitar and bodhrán weaving traditionally rooted tunes into something marked by fiery technical brilliance, delicate ensemble interaction and bold, adventurous improvisation.

That's a fair bit to take in, so it helps to hear how they're talked about. fRoots has called their role in the explosion of instrumental folk music on these islands 'as vital as ever', and Songlines described their playing as 'nothing short of transcendent'. If you've never come across them, that's a good place to start: they're working within a tradition, but they're not just playing the tunes as they've always been played. The 'adventurous improvisation' part of the description is where the night usually goes — they take those traditional roots and stretch them out, letting the set breathe and change as it goes.

It's an instrumental set, so there are no lyrics to lean on; the whole thing is carried by the playing. The flutes and whistles take the lead, with the guitar and bodhrán holding the rhythm and the harmony underneath. When they're on a roll, it's that technical brilliance they're known for — fast, tight, and locked in. When they pull back, it's the ensemble interaction that takes over, the way they listen and respond to each other in the moment.

The gig is at the Crucible Theatre, 55 Norfolk Street, Sheffield, S1 1DA, on Saturday 16 January 2027, with the music starting at 19:00.