PONS AELIUS

Pons Aelius are a six-piece progressive instrumental folk band formed in Newcastle upon Tyne, where six young musicians first crossed paths and began sharing tunes. What started as a mutual love of traditional music quickly grew into a powerful and distinctive collective sound.

Blending influences from across the folk spectrum, Pons Aelius have built a reputation for fearless musicianship, rich arrangements and an electrifying live show. They have toured extensively throughout the UK and Europe, bringing their high-energy performances to major stages including Celtic Connections, Towersey Festival and Priddy Folk Festival.

Their 2017 studio album, Captain Glen’s Comfort, was released to critical acclaim and received airplay around the world, including on the BBC Radio 2 Folk Show with Mark Radcliffe.

At the front of the band is a dynamic melodic line-up: Jordan Aikin on bagpipes and whistles, Sam Partridge on flute, and Tom Kimber on tenor banjo and mandolin. Behind them is one of the folk scene’s leading all-acoustic rhythm sections, with Callum Younger on bodhrán, Alasdair Paul on guitar and bouzouki, and Bevan Morris on double bass. Together, they create a sound that moves effortlessly between subtle, atmospheric textures and driving, full-throttle intensity.

Fire Under the Bridge, the band’s second full-length album, is the culmination of five years of road-tested experience. Capturing the energy, depth and detail of their live sound, it sees Pons Aelius at their most confident, ambitious and fully realised.

The album was produced by Josh Clark (Flook, Kate Rusby), whose musical insight and meticulous attention to detail helped shape the record at every stage. After a week of tracking at J&J Studios in Bristol, the recordings were mixed at Josh’s home studio and mastered by Chris Waite at Gran’s House Studio on the banks of the Clyde. The artwork was created by local artist Dan Underwood, giving the album a sleeve as bold and dynamic as the music itself.