Martin Carthy, one of the great names of folk, plays in Cumbria tonight.

For more than 50 years, Carthy has been one of folk music’s greatest innovators, one of its best loved, most enthusiastic and most quietly controversial of figures. His skill, stage presence and natural charm have won him many admirers, not only from within the folk scene, but also far beyond it.

Trailblazing musical partnerships with Steeleye Span, Dave Swarbrick and his award-winning wife Norma Waterson and daughter Eliza Carthy have resulted in more than 40 albums.

Carthy himself has only recorded 10 solo albums, with Waiting for Angels his latest.

The winner of the Lifetime Achievement Award in the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards, 2014, plays the Kirkgate Centre, Cockermouth tonight. For ticket info, go to www.kirkgatearts.org.uk or call 01900 829966.