Well it’s been an interesting journey since the last update… The operation on Nathan’s collarbone eventually took place on Sat 22nd May and since then he’s been holed up in Ireland resting, recuperating… and custom-making guitars… (Respond to this email if you’re interested in this little sideline!)

And here’s a pic of Nathan’s first ‘gig’ since his op:

playing to the cows

Now though, with almost full movement back in his shoulder, he’s ready for another summer full of festivals ☺ Here are some of the ones Nathan & the band will be at over the next couple of months, and there will no doubt be more to fill in the gaps as time goes on…

Glastonbury Festival: Thurs 24th – Sun 27th June
Once again Nathan will be at the Glastonbury Festival, enchanting crowds in the Green Futures area and thereabouts. There’ll be lots of chances to catch him (which is lucky as getting to gigs on time is nigh-on-impossible at Glasto!):
Wed night/Thurs morn: 1:30am on the Small World Solar Stage
Thurs eve: 8pm - Mandala Stage
Fri pm: 5:30pm - Lizard Lounge
Sat om: 3pm - Mandala Stage
Sun 12 midday - Small World Solar Stage
He’ll be playing with his favourite festival buddy Joe Hymas (on mandolin) and old friend Charlie Luffram (on keys) so it should be different but interesting…

Beatherder Festival, Lancashire: Fri 3rd – Sun 5th July
Nathan will be playing with Adrianne on cello and Bels on viola @ 3pm on Saturday 4th on the Smokey Tentacles Shisha Lounge stage. www.beatherder.co.uk

Fiddlers’ Green Folk Festival, Northern Ireland: Sun 18th – Sun 25th July
For the sixth year running Nathan will be over to Northern Ireland to the beautiful village of Rostrevor - between the mountains & the sea - to play at this wonderful Irish folk festival. Several gigs are in the pipeline so check back here nearer the time for more slots, in the meantime, this one’s confirmed:
Tues 20th July: 8pm on the Main Stage in the Square. www.fiddlersgreenfestival.co.uk

IndiGo World Music Festival, Carlow, Ireland: Fri 6th – Sun 8th August
Sat 7th Aug @ 2pm on the World Music Stage
A new festie in Carlow, near Dublin…

Broadstairs Folk Week, Kent: Tues 10th – Thurs 12th August
Tues 10th Aug @ 1pm in Harpers Bar
Wed 11th Aug @ 3pm in The Prince Albert
Thurs 12th Aug @ 1pm in The Charles Dickens
All venues are located in the town of Broadstairs and within easy walking distance of each other. www.broadstairsfolkweek.org.uk

Much love

Nathan & friends x x x

Sat 7^th Aug @ 2pm on the World Music Stage

A new festie set near the town of Carlow, near Dublin in Ireland…

Wed 11th Aug @ 3pm in The Prince Albert

Thurs 12th Aug @ 1pm in The Charles Dickens

All venues are located in the town of Broadstairs in Kent and are within easy walking distance of each other.

www.broadstairsfolkweek.org.uk

Nathan will be playing with Adrianne on cello and Bels on viola.

www.beatherder.co.uk

For the sixth year running Nathan will be over to Northern Ireland to the beautiful village of Rostrevor - between the mountains & the sea - to play at this wonderful Irish folk festival. Several gigs are in the pipeline so check back here nearer the time for more slots…

www.fiddlersgreenfestival.co.uk

Thurs eve (24th): 8pm - Mandala Stage

Fri pm (25th): 5:30om - Lizard Lounge

Sat pm (26th): 3pm - Mandala Stage

Sun 12 midday (27th) - Small World Solar Stage

Once again Nathan will be at the Glastonbury Festival, enchanting crowds in the Green Futures area and thereabouts. There’ll be lots of chances to catch him (which is lucky as getting to gigs on time is nigh-on-impossible at Glasto!). He’ll be playing with his favourite festival buddy Joe Hymas (on mandolin) and old friend Charlie Luffram (on keys) so it should be different but interesting…

Apologies for the long break since the last update… for once I have a good excuse: I’ve been laid up for much of the past few weeks – with a broken collarbone!

Big Break

Unfortunately, the “big breakage” happened just two days before we (myself and the 4 hugely talented musicians I loosely refer to as my band) were due to travel to Ireland to record my debut album. Words cannot describe the frustration I felt – particularly as the accident resulted from my decision to cycle down a mountain very fast… and with a lot more enthusiasm than skill!

This all took place in January and although my recovery seemed to being going well – I’ve been in Ireland writing lots and have sufficient mobility in my shoulder to play my guitar for a short while – the specialist I’ve been seeing has deemed an operation necessary in order to ensure a full and long term recovery. So, on 17^th May I’ll be re-broken and fixed up – with a plate to hold me together – which will again render me completely useless for another six weeks!

Needless to say, album recording is on the back burner until my recovery is complete. But before the dreaded op I’ve managed to sneak in a couple of nice little gigs… so feel free to come down and have a laugh at my expense!

GLASTONBURY: Saturday 24th April (The Assembly Rooms)

Supporting Martha Tilston as she launches her new album ‘Lucy & the Wolves’. This will be Nathan’s first gig since breaking his collarbone just 2 days before he was due to record his debut album… oops!

From 8pm at The Assembly Rooms, High Street, Glastonbury, BA6 9DU
Tickets: £11 - Tel 01458 834677 or from Bristol Ticket Shop (Tel: 0117 929 9008)

LONDON: Thursday 13th May (Passing Clouds)

‘Guitar Night’ with 3 other top-class guitarists: Jon Gomm, Pino Forastiere and Stuart Ryan, brought to you by ‘The Magpies Nest’.

At Passing Clouds, 1 Richmond Road, Dalston, London (see website for directions)

Tickets: £6 in advance/£8 on the door, available from http://www.wegottickets.com/event/71942

Downtown

And for those of you who feel happier laughing at a distance, I’ll be on Northern Ireland’s Downtown Radio some time between 6 and 7pm this Sunday (18^th April) being interviewed by Irish folk legend Tommy Sands. Listen online here or tune in to MHz: 96.4, 96.6, 97.1, 102.3, 102.4, 103.1, 103.4 or 1026 kHz if you’re in the area.

I’ll endeavour to be back in touch with more news once I’m ‘fixed’… which could be a little while yet…

Until then, enjoy the sunshine and beware of big hills & bikes

Nathan Ball & friends

At Passing Clouds, 1 Richmond Road, Dalston, London

Tickets: £6 in advance/£8 on the door, available from Here

From 8pm at The Assembly Rooms, High Street, Glastonbury, BA6 9DU
Tickets: £11 - Tel 01458 834677 or from Bristol Ticket Shop (Tel: 0117 929 9008) www.bristolticketshop.co.uk