Oysterband

Oysterband formed in Canterbury, Kent, in 1986 with members John Jones, Alan Prosser, Ian Telfer, and Ray Cooper. They started playing folk festivals and pubs, building a following while their lyrics often touched on social and political issues. Their song '20th of April' addressed the 1689 Glencoe massacre, drawing both criticism and support for its take on historical persecution.

Their sound mixed traditional folk with rock and blues, leading to albums like 'Walkin' on Water' in 1992 and 'Wide Blue Yonder' in 1994. Tracks such as 'All That Way For This' and 'Another Quiet Night In England' reflect their blend of melody and pointed storytelling, avoiding a polished studio feel for something more direct and lived-in.

By the mid-2000s, with releases like 'The Shouting End' in 2006, they had settled into a rhythm of steady touring and recording, less concerned with mainstream trends than with maintaining their own voice. Their music kept a rough-edged quality, rooted in folk traditions but never confined by them.