Sam Baxter
Folk Singer // Violinist // Guitarist
About
"In a genre where wearing your influences on your sleeve is the norm, I love that I can’t really tell where Sam Baxter’s ideas have come from. He’s obviously spent a long time studying old singers, and he’s looked to traditional music from elsewhere in Europe for inspiration, but the effect is sounding like nobody but himself. He doesn’t make the music sound pretty, but it never sounds like he’s not in complete control. I think he’s only going to get better with time.”
- Jim Moray, TradFolk
Sam Baxter is an interpreter, arranger, and performer of traditional song. With a skilful blend of electric/acoustic guitars, drones, and fiddle, he creates deeply personal performances filled with warmth and emotion.
Sam sings a carefully selected repertoire, expressing the full gamut of human experience. He is especially interested in how the the thoughts and feelings in traditional music can transcend time and speak to modern audiences. Through his music, he explores stories of love and loss, queer narratives, songs of industry, nature and social injustice.
Originally from the North West, but now based in Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, Sam is gaining a reputation for his work with traditional and contemporary folk music. In 2022 he was included in TradFolk.org's Article ‘Young Folk Musicians you Need to Hear’, and in 2018 he was the winner of Bromyard Folk Festivals ‘Future of Folk’ competition.
Also a sought-after collaborator, he can be found playing in contemporary classical music ensemble Sømnus, with folk-singer and song-writer Catch the Sparrow and in duo with Scottish violinist Merle Harbron. Sam has also toured in Norway with the Synneva Gjelland Band and works with electronic music producer Jen Mac in her project Heen ‘where traditional music meets contemporary production’.
Upcoming Gigs
Previous Gigs
10th March 2024 - The Cumberland Arms, Sam Baxter and Merle Harbron
23rd February 2024 - Cullercoats Watch House, w/ Catch the Sparrow
9th December 2023 - Cobalt Studios CIC, Newcastle Upon Tyne, w/ Heen, support for Ostar Sounds
9th November 2023 - Rosslyn Court, Margate, Solo
11 Novemeber 2023 - Vil Vil Vest, Bergen, Norway w/ Synneva Gjelland Band
28th October 2023 - Victoria Tunnel, Newcastle Upon Tyne, with the Folk Horror Ensemble
22nd October 2023 -The Cumberland Arms, Rosie Hood Band + Sam Baxter
19th October 2023 - Cobalt Studios CIC, Newcastle upon Tyne, Fresh Thursday // Ellie Gowers + Sam Baxter
17th October 2023 - The Cumberland Arms, Newcastle Upon Tyne, Sam Baxter and Merle Harbron + Astrid Garmo and Ester Thunander
22nd September 2023 - Ouseburn Folk Festival,
1st September 2023 - The Lubber Fiend, Newcastle Upon Tyne, Support for Whitney K
10th-14th August 2023 - Saltburn Folk Festival - Solo, with Catch the Sparrow and with DIY Ceilidh
29th June 2023 - Sage Gateshead, Newcastle Upon Tyne, performing 'Fell Silent' by Anna Hughes
]17th June 2023 - Glossop Labour Club Glossop, -Solo
9th June 2023 - Cobalt Studios, Newcastle Upon Tyne - with Sømnus
13th April 2023 - The Cumberland Arms, Newcastle Upon Tyne - Solo
13th March 2023 - The Bridge Folk Club, Newcastle Upon Tyne, - with Catch The Sparrow
18th January 2023 - Sofar Sounds Newcastle, John Marley Centre, Benwell - with Catch the Sparrow
16th January 2023 - The Bridge Folk Club, Newcastle Upon Tyne - Solo
15th January 2022 - The Cumberland Arms, Newcastle Upon Tyne, Sam Baxter and Merle Harbron
17th December 2022 - Folk is Queer Event at Cobalt Studios, Newcastle upon Tyne - solo and with Merle Harbron
15th December 2022 - St Andrews Church, Newcastle Upon Tyne - with Catch the Sparrow
21st November 2022 - The Bridge Folk Club, Newcastle Upon Tyne, - with Catch the Sparrow
29th October 2022 - Osafestivalen, Voss, Norway - with Synneva Gjelland Kvartetten
1st-2nd October 2022 - Hartlepool Folk Festival - Solo
15th February 2022 - Vinterfestivalen, Rauland, Norway - Workshop on Tunes from Northern England
20th February 2020 - The Globe Inn, Glossop - Support for Martin Carthy
5th-8th September 2019 - Bromyard Folk Festival - Solo
2nd-9th August 2019 - Sidmouth Folk Festival - Solo / Young Performers Showcase
25th-28th July 2019 - Warwick Folk Festival - Solo
25th April 2019 - Foodhall, Sheffield - Workshop on Ballads and Ballad Singing
12th July 2018 - Manchester Museum - Collaboration with Firefly Burning and 17 other young musicians from the North West
5th July 2018 - The Globe Inn, Glossop - Support for Jack Rutter
29th March 2018 - The Globe Inn, Glossop - Support for Jackie Oats
© 2024 Sam Baxter, photography by Ellen Dixon