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Britain’s oldest boy band
The heart-warming 2019 film Fisherman’s Friends captured the spirit of the real-life group of singers who share the same name. Although the characters were inventions, the story about a record label manager who stumbles across a group of musically gifted fishermen and turns them into stars isn’t.
Fisherman’s Friends are a “buoy band” from Port Isaac, Cornwall who met on the harbour and bonded over a love of singing sea shanties. They were discovered in 2009 when BBC Radio presenter Johnnie Walker happened across their homemade CDs – Suck’em And Sea, Home From The Sea and Another Mouthful From… The Fisherman’s Friends – while visiting the area on holiday. His manager Ian Brown travelled down soon after and signed them to a £1 million recording contract that led to the release of Port Isaac’s Fisherman’s Friends in 2010. That album was the first ever by a traditional folk act to land in the top 10 of the UK albums chart.
Later that year, ITV filmed a documentary called Fisherman’s Friends that traced their journey from singing on the quayside in a remote village for over 20 years to becoming in-demand stars at festivals and concerts all across the country.
Among their many highlights, Fisherman’s Friends starred in an advert for Young’s Seafood and were honoured with the Good Tradition Award at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards in 2011, sang at HM The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations in 2012 and played Glastonbury on several occasions. The group have also released four more albums: 2013’s One And All, 2015’s Proper Job, 2018’s Sole Mates and 2019’s Keep Hauling.
Although the line-up has changed over the past decade, Fisherman’s Friends continue to perform for enthusiastic fans in the UK and abroad. The group’s current members include lobster fisherman Jeremy Brown, writer and shopkeeper Jon Cleave, smallholder and engineer John “Lefty” Lethbridge, builder John McDonnell, Padstow fisherman Jason Nicholas, filmmaker Toby Lobb and former ambulance driver Pete Hicks.
During the lockdown in early 2020, Fisherman’s Friends posted weekly songs and poems on their YouTube series Mares Tales & Mackerel Scales. Over the summer, they played shows at Cornwall’s Minack Theatre and during screenings of the Fisherman’s Friends film at a drive-in in Watergate Bay. In addition, a sequel – Fisherman’s Friends 2: Bound For South Australia – began filming in 2021 and revisited the gang’s journey Down Under while they put their second album together.
Security was good on the way in, but doors should have been opened a lot more than half an hour in advance of the start time (it felt very rushed once inside). Not enough staff on the bar, and my partner said it was the worst venue for toilet facilities (there was only one hand dryer in the gents, and that wasn't working). The gig itself however, was fantastic……
Wow!. What a brilliant concert from 9 singers and musicians who really know how to put on a show and entertain the audience. Along with some brilliant humour and anecdotes from them which really made each song seem so personal to the entire audience. Highly recommend to see them when in your locality
Funny and entertaining really enjoyable show. Brilliant way to spend an evening.
Having seen Fisherman's Friends a few times before, I knew it would be enjoyable, but they have hit a new high! The Royal Albert Hall was a perfect setting for the show with its lovely acoustics, but goodness me how they used this to the maximum. A couple of new guys brought plenty to the party and the whole group sounded wonderful with strong and tight harmonies. It was also lovely to see the entire Hall applaud Billy at his last performance, he will be missed! A superb performance and evening that will be long remembered.
Great Hall Not visited before Fishermens friends were Brilliant a real mix of shanties and American chain gang songs They were so good and as Charlitable events go Really inspiring Fabulous
As a dedicated follower of the Fisherman's Friends I can honestly say their performance at the Royal Albert Hall was their best ever. Although I adored the intimacy of their singing in Port Isaac's Methodist church hall which was really special. Last night they were amazing and their new singers and musicians plus the whole supporting team have made this a wonderful fun experience.
Flipping fantastic Fishermens friends Sang along with them and the whole Audience were with the Bouys,the shanties and celtic singing resonated well in the Hall for Cornwall
The third time we've seen these guys & they are always brilliant & we can't wait to see them again soon 🙂
Great show Great group Brilliant venue great seating layout