ARBORIST with special guest John Blek

Belfast native Mark McCambridge played his first show as ARBORIST supporting James Yorkston. A solo tour followed before impressive performances led to notable support slots alongside Low, Cat Power, Echo and The Bunnymen and Guy Garvey. In 2023, ARBORIST took the critical acclaim, success and unique production and songwriting of his first two LPs to new heights. His third LP, An Endless Sequence of Dead Zeros, was released in April and won the prestigious Northern Ireland Music Prize 2023. It was recorded in Spacebomb Studios in Richmond, Virginia alongside producer Matthew E White, who created a record full of melody and lush arrangements. With plays from Cillian Murphy, Cerys Matthews, Lauren Laverne and Frank Skinner, it culminated in a rousing BBC 6 Music Live Session on Riley & Coe.

We are delighted to welcome ARBORIST to The Helicon stage for a special solo show, alongside special guest John Blek. John Blek is an original folk songwriter from Cork, Ireland. Best known for his work with his band John Blek & the Rats, John has begun a new journey influenced by the folk music of Ireland, Britain and the US. With his solo work, he delves into the world of fingerstyle guitar and reveals the deeply personal and poignant lyrical aspects of his character.