THE Conservatoire Folk Ensemble have a 20th anniversary to celebrate, a new album to promote, and they're on their way to Worcester.

Their studio alum, Painted, will be released in June and that ties in nicely with the band's power-folk appearance at the Huntingdon Hall.

A spokesman said: "The band's touring line-up features a stage-challenging fifty members. Among them are fifteen horns, four cellos, five percussionists, five electric guitarists, plus fiddles, flutes, clarinets, double-bass, electric bass, euphonium, acoustic guitar, octave mandola, and a harp. They sing as well."

Formed in 1997 at Birmingham’s prestigious Conservatoire by fiddle player and arranger Joe Broughton (The Urban Folk Quartet, The Albion Band, Joss Stone), the Conservatoire Folk Ensemble have established a reputation for creating energetic and powerful shows.

The spokesman added: "Their increasingly popular live appearances - especially at such festivals as Cropredy, Towersey, Shambala and Kendal Calling - have left audiences ecstatic and even moved to tears.

"Still based at Birmingham City University’s Conservatoire, the personal influences of each member shapes the set-list, as traditional English and Celtic reels slide into full-on rock grooves, funk, jazz, hip-hop, ska and reggae. Eastern European and Asian flourishes can also be heard, reflecting the rich cultural heritage of the group. This is very much 21st century folk. This is power-folk."

The date for the diary is Saturday, June 3, from 7.30pm.

Tickets and further details on, www.worcesterlive.co.uk