A BAND with deep northern roots and bags of soul has announced their UK tour – including a Southampton gig. 

Nominated for the Mercury Music Prize, the only British folk representation in The Guardian and Uncut’s best albums of the last decade, The Unthanks will play at Turner Sims on February 21 – the first of their 21 dates. 

The tour will feature a talented ten-piece ensemble and coincides with their first full studio album release in four years in spring next year.

They will also play at London’s legendary Roundhouse, as well as Newcastle City Hall, Liverpool Philharmonic and Brighton Dome. 

The band has gathered themselves an army of fans, including Martin Freeman, Colin Firth, Elvis Costello, Robert Wyatt, Ben Folds, Ryan Adams, Rosanne Cash, Dawn French, and Ewan McGregor. 

A family affair, the Tyneside sisters Rachel and Becky Unthank, pictured, use the traditional music of the North East of England as a starting point, the influence of Steve Reich, Miles Davis, Sufjan Stevens, Robert Wyatt, Antony & The Johnsons, King Crimson and Tom Waits can be heard in the band’s seven albums to date.

Tickets are on sale now, |and cost £21. Go to turnersims.co.uk to book.