Fisherman's Friends

The Fisherman’s Friends bring the sound of Port Isaac to The Anvil in Basingstoke on 22 April 2027. Formed in 1995 by singers rooted in Cornwall’s coastal life, they carry a repertoire of sea shanties, work songs and maritime ballads handed down through the oral tradition. Their live set leans on close-harmony vocals, often a cappella, with a lean folk backing that lets the voices lead. Expect call-and-response, heave-ho choruses and stories pulled from lifeboat shifts, harbour nights and long runs at sea.

Over nearly three decades they’ve moved from self-released CDs to wider recognition with albums like Port Isaac’s Fisherman’s Friends and One and All, without straying from the collective blend that defines them. The group’s journey even inspired two films, which opened their songs to new ears while keeping the core of what they do intact. On stage, they balance robust choruses with quieter laments, swapping leads and harmonies with an easy, unforced swing. It’s a straightforward, human kind of folk: voices up front, melody shared, and the room invited to sing along.