Coinciding with the Kinder Trespass anniversary weekend, Open House hosts an evening of song and story from Sheffield-based Johnny Campbell.
Describing themes of his material as ''Connection (and disconnection) to the landscape'', songs like 'Winter Hill Trespass' and 'A Right to Roam' have gained the attention of UK Folk scene, with 'A Right to Roam' earning the accolade of 'One of the best Folk songs of 2022' by Tradfolk.
With press from Folk on Foot, BBC Countryfile Podcast and BBC Radio 4's Open Country, the Right to Roam advocate, and writer for Country Walking Magazine, Johnny's work has touched many corners of the Folk, activist and outdoor networks. Steeped in knowledge and storytelling of the North, Johnny's recent unique album 'True North', is described as a ''Psychogeography Field Trip'' (MOJO) in which Johnny field recorded traditional songs of Northern England on each of the county high points. None other than Richard Thompson put it in his top 5 albums of 2024 in MOJO.
Last year he became the first person to tour the Pennine Way for the 60th anniversary of the route's inception. Collaborating with the National Trails Network, Johnny toured/walked Britain's first long distance path, carrying a guitar, performing 17 shows in 19 days over 268 miles.
About this event:
Date - From 7pm on Friday, April 2026
Timing - Doors open for drinks at 7pm, performance starts at 7.30pm
Price - £16
Location - Doors open downstairs at Open House. Performance will be held upstairs at Open House.
Booking - Limited to 46 spots, to book your spot please click below
''Haunting, Evocative & Pure'' ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Songlines
''A rucksack full of Wonders'' ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - MOJO
''Like a Modern-Day Billy Bragg'' - Tradfolk
''I can't think of another project quite like this!'' - Richard Thompson
''Potent & Authentic'' - Folk Radio
''One of Folk's Brightest Rising Stars'' - Bright Young Folk
''Nobody else seems to be doing what Campbell is doing right now, and his passion and determination deserve recognition'' - Jon Wilks
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Johnny Campbell emerged onto the UK folk scene writing self-penned material and delving deep into Northern English folk song and story.
The album From Hull & Halifax & Hell (2020) took him to The Faroe Islands where he recorded a live album on the island of Nolsoy. Since musical instruments hadn't arrived on the islands until the 19th century, this is perhaps the first time Northern English traditional song has been recorded on these islands.
This album earned him album of the week with Blues and Roots radio and reviews with British folk press:
Since March 2020, Campbell hasn't relented, releasing three singles, Hard Times of Old England, Winter Hill Trespass & A Right to Roam, the former receiving play on Ian Lynch's (Lankum) Fire Draw Near podcast.
A Right to Roam (2022) is a collaboration with Commoners Choir & Skelmanthorpe Brass Band which received the accolade of 'One of the Best Folk Songs of 2022' alongside contemporaries such as Eliza Carthy, Jon Boden, Angeline Morrison & more, chosen by Tradfolk.
2024 sees Campbell releasing True North, an album of Northern English traditional songs recorded on their respective county summits, garnering press from Country Walking Magazine, Folk on Foot & BBC Radio 4 Open Country. Richard Thompson declared True North as one of his top five albums of the year in 'My Year in Music' in UNCUT Magazine.
