From tomorrow (Thursday 27th November), the cool autumn-winter air will be filled with the dulcet thrumming of the UK’s premier punk-folk band, The Bad Shepherds.

Spearheaded by Adrian Edmondson (mandolin in hand) -the accompaniment provided by Troy Donockley and Andy Dinan (a two time All Ireland Fiddle Champion) – the trio will be saying their “First Farewell” on this tour.

With two stellar albums in the shape of Yan, Tyan, Tethera, Metheral and last year’s By Hook Or By Crook, it seems like saying goodbye now would be too soon.

However, a recent press release said:

“…this tour by no means the end of The Bad Shepherds, they will be taking an extended sabbatical throughout 2012. With no firm plans in place for future tours these gigs are the first chance to say farewell.”

A nominee at 2010′s BBC Radio Folk Awards for Best Live Act, the band is well received by fans and critics alike. In this writer’s opinion, it would be literally criminal to miss out on The Bad Shepherds live experience. Even if you were only wondering what Ade Edmondson is doing post-Bottom, it’s definitely worth a try.

With support from Samantha Crain, the 21 dates for the tour are as follows:

Thu 27 October -Southampton, The Brook 023 8055 5366
Fri 28 – Bristol, The Fleece 0117 929 9008
Sat 29 – Liskeard, Carnglaze Cavern 01579 320 251
Sun 30 – Exeter, Phoenix 01392 667 080

Thu 3 November – Birmingham, Town Hall 0121 780 3333
Fri 4 – Gloucester, Gloucester Guildhall 01452 503 050
Sat 5 – Morecambe, The Platform 01524 582 803
Sun 6 – Hereford, Courtyard Theatre 01432 340 555
Wed 9 – Colchester, Arts Centre 01206 500 900
Thu 10 – Norwich, The Waterfront 01603 508 050
Fri 11 – Stamford, Corn Exchange 01780 766 455
Sat 12 – Derby, Derby Theatre 01332 255 800
Sun 13 – Harpenden, Public Halls 01582 767 525
Thu 17 – Manchester, Band on the Wall 08452 500 500
Fri 18 – Leeds, Leeds Varities 0113 243 0808
Sat 19 – Gateshead, The Sage 0191 443 4661
Sun 20 – Hull, Hull Truck 01482 323 638
Wed 23 – Brighton, Komedia 08452 293 8480
Thu 24 – Farnham, Maltings 01252 745 444
Fri 25 – Folkstone, The Quarterhouse 01303 858 500
Sat 26 – London, Union Chapel 0844 477 1000

Book now, or forever hold your pieces!

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