The band will perform at Blackburn Empire Theatre on Sunday 26 April 2026, bringing a set that spans their long career alongside tracks from their latest album Conflict.
Planning a night out? See the live What’s On in Blackburn calendar.
In interview material released to support the tour, Maddy said the thrill of live performance is still as strong as ever.
“When you are on the stage with the band, it’s just the best feeling in the world,” she said.
“And you get applause at the end – how good is that?”
A new chapter with Conflict
Now more than 50 years into their career, Steeleye Span continue to evolve – with Conflict marking their first full studio album in over five years.
True to their roots, the album blends traditional folk influences with newer, self-written material, reflecting both the band’s history and the world around them today.
The title Conflict points not only to modern times but also to broader themes in society and the changing relationship with the world we live in.
The album also includes their take on Over the Hills and Far Away – a traditional song many will recognise from its use in popular culture – reimagined in Steeleye Span’s distinctive style.
Tradition, with a twist
Formed in the late 1960s, Steeleye Span helped redefine British folk music by bringing it into the mainstream – combining traditional storytelling with a rock sound that led to chart success and international touring.
Despite that legacy, Maddy says the band has always embraced change.
“The music we did in the 70s is the bedrock of what we do,” she explained.
“But it also lets us bounce off in all sorts of directions.”
That balance between tradition and reinvention remains central to their sound today.
A setlist that never stands still
With a huge catalogue to draw from, no two shows are ever quite the same.
“We have a massive repertoire, so we spread our set lists across all the songs so that each time they come fresh,” Maddy said.
Fans can expect a mix of material from across the years – including signature songs like All Around My Hat alongside newer tracks.
A band built for live performance
Steeleye Span remain, at heart, a live band – something reflected in their touring schedule and ever-changing line-up.
The current tour also features newer member Athena Octavia, an acclaimed classical violinist and part of indie folk group Iris & Steel, bringing another dimension to the band’s evolving sound.
“There are people who come along thinking folk music is gentle and quiet,” Maddy said.
“They certainly get a surprise at our gigs.”
Still loving life on the road
Even after decades of touring, the appetite to perform remains.
“I just love doing it,” Maddy said.
“Half an hour before every gig I think, ‘Why am I here?’ – but apart from that, I love the rest of it.”
With a career spanning more than half a century, Steeleye Span remain one of the defining names in British folk rock – and their Blackburn date offers a rare chance to see them live.
Sunday 26 April 2026
7:30pm (doors 6:30pm)
Blackburn Empire Theatre
Book tickets:
https://blackburnempire-tickets.blackburnempire.com/ticketbooth/shows/1173661049
