The long-established link between music-making and liquid refreshment is strengthened by the partnership between two local organisations that specialise in doing things differently. When the singers of Albion got together with the beer-makers of the Abbeydale
Brewery, something interesting was always likely to result.And the fruits of it are set to be celebrated in a one-off event at this summer’s
Buxton Festival Fringe. What began as a spur-of-the-moment suggestion has blossomed into a range of real ales.
The inspiration was a shared desire to showcase the best of British. For the choir, whose first performance three years ago took
place in a pub, this meant songs and words; for the brewers, hops and craft brewing. It began when, over a pint of Moonshine,Albion’s
director Fraser Wilson suggested a range of ales inspired by songs to Abbeydale’s directors Sue and Patrick Morton.
Sue’s initial reaction was sceptical. “So many people think they have good ideas for beer names and so few of them actually are good
names”, she explains. But “this idea niggled and would not go away”. Lo and behold, a few short months later, the “Brit-Hop Albion Ales”
range was launched, as the nattily titled “This Sceptred Ale” began to roll off the production line!
Several more have followed, with new ales in the range appearing regularly. It’s provided a rich source of inspiration to both musicians
and brewers. Believing firmly in the value of combining the pastimes, the partners have now created the perfect opportunity to enjoy
both singing and supping. Later this month, as part of Buxton Festival Fringe, the “Albion and Ales” performance does exactly what it says on the tin.
Singer Chris Hughes, who also routinely pulls pints as a member of staff at Sheffield’s Devonshire Cat pub, explains what we can
expect. “It’s a late-night concert performance that will have a really great atmosphere.When you arrive, you’ll be served a pint of Albion Ale straight from the barrel.
” The choir write all their own music, and Chris says that “people often say they love the colour of our singing. We’re coming up with
some new music especially for this concert, which will fit really well with the beer.
People can relax and let us entertain them, while we all share in something completely unique!”
Both ingredients have wide appeal, so a large and diverse audience is expected! Albion’s music was described by a critic as “sitting
somewhere in the space between BBC Radio 2 and Radio 3”. Fraser Wilson says “we’re delighted by that. Our music can’t be put in
a box; you can’t define its genre.We want to entertain and move people who enjoy all sorts of different music, and people who want to
discover something new.”
Meanwhile, wine and juice will be available as an alternative to the beer for those who prefer it, so all tastes are catered to on that
front as well.
The Buxton Fringe is one of the largest open-access arts festivals in the UK, with nearly 600 performances from over 170 entrants
across more than 30 venues this year. Fringe chair Keith Savage says:“We do our best to make the Buxton Fringe affordable for
performers and audiences – we want it to be a Festival that is inclusive and allows people to see, hear and share new experiences.There is tremendous loyalty to the Fringe with some artists returning year-after-year, building an audience that relishes and enjoys music, art and theatre in an intimate and friendly atmosphere.”
Albion’s Fringe appearance is on July 24, 9.15pm at St John’s Church, Buxton. Tickets from www.albionchoir.org.uk, 07751 760473,
and the Buxton Opera House box office. Also see www.abbeydalebrewery.co.uk and www. buxtonfringe.org.uk
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