I just came back from The Tønder Festival in Denmark, definitely one of the best in the world. It was my 12th time there and has never disappointed. This year was no exception. I was invited to join Oysterband for their last ever show and it was a big one, 8000 people crowded into the outdoor stage field.

There were tears, there were sighs, there was relief that it went so well and that we could end on such a high point, a week after the wonderful Shrewsbury Folk Festival which was the band’s last ever UK show. There was joy too, it also felt like a celebration of all the years we worked and for all the fans who have followed us.

Coming down from the very emotional Tønder : the final show, as well as guesting on stage with the wonderful Dervish and also with the Hans Theessink band, solo songs at the volunteer’s party stage (there were 3200 volunteers this year), a solo acoustic set in the CD tent, and jamming backstage with the great Danish fiddler Kristian Bugge till 3.00am….took a few days. Now preparing for my autumn tour, starting in Flensburg September 17 and finishing in Sheffield 23 November.

There is a lot I could say about last weekend, but other members of Oysterband have expressed eloquently what we all feel, have a look at their Facebook. When we came back to the dressing room there was just silence as we stared into the distance. The love from the crowd took a while to sink in.

Farewell Oysterband, 23 years, 26 countries, probably 16 albums, hundreds of tours and festivals, not quite as many as Alan, Ian and John who counted 39 countries.

New project for 2026 to be announced soo.

Onwards.

And now the tour:

September Germany

17 Flensburg Werfcafe

19 Winsen Tidenhub

21 Riedstadt Büchner Bühne

22 Mitlechtern Alter Tanzsaal

24 Halberstadt house concert

26 Schloss Goseck

27 Rotta Gassmühle

28 Buchhagen, Kulturmühle

October

2 Guben house concert

5 Lübbecke house concert

November  UK 

5   Eastbourne The Lamb Folk Club

7   Leamington Spa Temperance Café with Benji Kirkpatrick

8   Beccles Canopy Theatre

9   London The Harrison                            

11   Manchester Copper Bar at Band on the Wall

12  York Fortyfive Vinyl Café with White Sail

14   Derby  Dubrek  

15   Netley Chapel Sessions

16   Stroud Prince Albert

22  Presteigne Assembly Rooms

23   Sheffield Café 9

Tour details and ticket links https://www.raycooper.org/shows/

https://www.facebook.com/tonderfestival

Photo M. Porter