Live Sound Production
Folk and Traditional music is a truly unique genre. Audiences want as little between the artist and themselves as possible. Ideally music would be heard entirely acoustically, however in most settings this isn't possible. The ideal PA for folk music lifts the sound to all corners of the room while preserving the characteristics of the original sound. To do this well requires both the ability to work the equipment but, more importantly, strong roots within the genre to know what it should sound like.
Members of the Barleycorn Productions team all have a background in folk music, dance and song. Many play or perform in their own bands and sides. We are therefore the perfect team to ensure the best sound at your event.
From community stages to concerts and theatre shows, storytellers and ceilidh bands, we’ve worked with a wide range of performers from across the folk and traditional music world. We have multiple years experience of providing sound engineering skills at national festivals (including Sidmouth, Chippenham, Upton upon Severn and IVFDF) as well as working with local ceilidh bands and performers.
Whether you are a festival or event organiser, a band or solo performer, if you are looking for a live sound team with specific experience in folk and traditional music, we are here to help. Please get in touch to discuss your requirements.
What Others Have Said
Best sound we've ever had on an outdoor stage - NYFTE
A delightful and highly skilled fellow to have managing sound. Ross always does an excellent job. - Matthew Crampton
Many many thanks for all your work before and during IVFDF, you made a huge contribution to the success of the weekend. - Inter-Varsity Folk Dance Festival
Some of the Team
Ross
Growing up in a traditional singing family, Ross has been immersed in folk music his whole life and sings and plays in the traditional style. Ross is the lead engineer at Barleycorn Productions with over 15 years of experience as a sound engineer within the folk music world. Ross has worked live sound at over 20 festivals, innumerable gigs and ceilidhs and even the occasional live radio broadcast. He occasionally works with Wild Goose Studios and runs the Barleycorn recording studio. Most memorable gig? "The Celebrating Cicely concert - Over 20 artists, a three-hour concert, no soundchecks, oh and a live recording!" The recording is available direct from Barleycorn Productions.
Nikki
With a background in woodwind and singing along to folk music around the house, Nikki become increasingly involved in the folk world when she joined Cambridge University Ceilidh Band. With a love of music and an impulse to play with anything with pretty buttons, it was only a matter of time before she discovered sound engineering. Since then Nikki has provided sound for many ceilidhs, concerts and shows both from the mixer and in running the stage. Favourite bit of kit? "Tape, definitely tape!"