RIP-ROARING neo-folk band Calan are set to light up South Petherton’s David Hall this Guy Fawkes Night (November 5).

The concert marks a triumphant return to Britain as part of an international tour that sees Calan crisscrossing the Atlantic.

The acclaimed Welsh multi-instrumental band who reinvents traditional tunes into blistering, anthemic modern masterpieces, will play venues as diverse as Charleston, West Virginia (in concert with the West Virginia Symphony Orchestra), New York’s World Music Institute and London’s Cecil Sharp House, the spiritual home of UK traditional music.

Calan, whose celebrity fans range from Sting to Sir Bryn Terfel, will appear at The David Hall in South Petherton on 5th November, the opening night of the English leg of their autumn & winter dates.

Sam Humphreys, Calan’s guitarist, said: “The audience at the David Hall have an obvious hunger for quality folk music.

“It’s great to be part of a line-up of great artists in their calendar and obvious they work hard to keep up a great standard, so I’m looking forward to going back.

On November 5, Calan will be showcasing music from their latest, critically acclaimed album ‘Kistvaen’ alongside favourites from their extensive back-catalogue.

Calan’s fiddle virtuoso Patrick Rimes said: “It’s lovely to be starting this leg of our tour in such a welcoming venue - and a lovely part of the country. We’ve clocked up the miles over the years and played some exotic places, but nothing quite compares to playing to such a dedicated audience”

Just days before the South Petherton gig, Calan returned to Wales and unpacked their instruments following a transatlantic flight to Charleston, West Virginia.

There, with the prestigious West Virginia Symphony Orchestra, they reprised their stunning indie-classical crossover creation – a suite of five compositions inspired by collections of traditional songs and tunes at the National Library of Wales.

They first performed the work with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales to overwhelming acclaim in a concert at Cardiff’s St David’s Hall.

“Some of our most important pieces come from research into historic and traditional texts,” says vocalist, accordionist & step-dancer Bethan Rhiannon. “That’s why it’s lovely to come to places like this, areas steeped in history.

“The nights are getting longer and darker - in fact, one of the songs on our ‘Kistvaen’ album is called “As The Night Closes In” - but let’s make this Bonfire Night gig a real sparkler.”

For more information about the band and tickets visit calan-band.com