Fisherman's Friends at Reading

The Fisherman's Friends bring their signature blend of sea shanties and contemporary folk music to Reading. Known for their humorous and heartfelt performances, the group from Port Isaac, Cornwall, has been singing together since 1995. Their shows combine traditional songs of the sea with modern folk, often featuring simple instrumentation alongside their a cappella roots.

Attendees can expect a lively evening filled with nautical tales and audience participation. The current lineup includes Jeremy Brown, John Lethbridge, Jason Nicholas, Toby Lobb, John McDonnell, Jon Cleave, and Bill Hawkins, with recent additions Simon Johnson and Marcus Bonfanti. The group's repertoire ranges from classic shanties to more lewd nautical songs, all delivered with the charm that has earned them a devoted following.

This performance offers a rare chance to see a semi-professional group that doesn't tour extensively, making each show a special event. The band still occasionally performs for charity in Port Isaac, singing on The Platt in the summer.