A musican with a deep appreciation for the working people standing firm against both corporate and governmental power, Jez Lowe fills his songs with fierce heart and acerbic humor as unflinching and dark as the milltowns of his native Northumbria, in northeast England. One of the most popular and enduring contemporary British singer-songwriters, Jez has the gift of bringing his characters and scenes to life with luminous spareness and emotional directness, in concert and on CDs like his recent Doolally. Literally hundreds of artists have recorded their own versions of his songs, including Fairport Convention, The Tannahill Weavers and Cherish The Ladies.

We've seen this powerful musician cast his spell in solo shows over the past few years, but tonight the Freight is in for an extra treat: appearing with Jez is his band, the Bad Pennies, featuring fiddler and singer Kate Bramley, multi-instrumentalist Andy May and Sean Taylor on bass and percussion. With this elegant ensemble backing Jez' skilled guitar, cittern, dulcimer, harmonica and vocals, you've got an inviting, lush sound perfectly suited to his vivid stories and catchy melodies.