Tightrope Moon

Tightrope Moon cast a silver web over their audiences as violin, viola and vocals entwine in celestial sounds and hypnotic melodies. From gronky re-imaginings of English, Swedish and American tunes to delicate compositions and ethereal improvisations, their spiralling melodies feel like secrets whispered in the dark.

The duo’s electrifying groove-based tunes create a sound that is otherworldly, yet deeply rooted in tradition. Their songs spin out stories old and new, as haunting vocal harmonies floating over delicate pizzicato latticework. Tales of the forest merge with daydreams in the big city as they infuse acoustic instruments with eerie experimental electronics.

For Tightrope Moon, making music is an intimate alchemy - carefully crafting ‘other worlds’ and sharing them with audiences across the country. Individually, Seth and Cori have performed at leading folk festivals including FolkEast, Sidmouth, Cambridge and Shrewsbury. Now, as Tightrope Moon, their magnetic performances crackle with bewitchment.

Seth and Cori are integral to Peregrine Circus, a home-grown troupe based in North Wales. Alongside drummer Michael Chance, their music sculpts the show, amplifying its wonder, thrill, and beauty - a seamless fusion of sound and spectacle that brings each act to life.

Cori Smith (BBC Young Musician of the Year finalist 2019) is a viola player and composer from the North of England. Introduced to folk music through playing in the National Youth Folk Ensemble (NYFE) under Sam Sweeney’s direction, she’s gone on to play and write in many different constellations, performing at folk festivals and venues across the UK and Sweden. Alongside Tightrope Moon, she also performs in her trio, Once A Fig.

Cori’s music makes sense of the world around her, from grief at the destruction of trees and our planet, to the magical feeling of cold stars on bare feet and dancing on the moon. Her compositions communicate and connect with audiences, drawing them into a world of entrancing and thought-provoking sounds.

Seth Bye is a composer, fiddle player and educator, recently heard on BBC Radio 2, 3, 4, 6 Music and BBC World Service. He has performed in venues including the Royal Albert Hall, Cecil Sharp House and the Alexander Stadium. Specialising in traditional music styles, Seth currently tours with his duo Filkin’s Drift, the 14-piece orchestral folk band Filkin’s Ensemble, and doom-pah band The Destroyers. He has also toured with Giffords Circus, performing on fiddle, banjo and accordion.

Seth’s music is inspired by his ever-changing surroundings, as he explores the canals of England on a liveaboard narrowboat. He has recently been featured in The Times, the i and on BBC News, following an 870 mile foot-powered-tour with Filkin’s Drift.