Folk Legends Return: Dave Pegg Reflects on Fairport Convention’s Belfast Story from the Troubles to Today
Few bands can claim to have shaped an entire genre, but Fairport Convention have been doing just that for nearly six decades. Pioneers of British folk-rock, their blend of traditional music and electrified innovation has influenced generations — and shows no sign of fading.
As they prepare to return to Belfast’s Mandela Hall on Sunday, April 19, bassist Dave Pegg reflects on a relationship with Northern Ireland that stretches back to one of its most turbulent periods.
Joining the band in 1969, Pegg has been a constant presence through Fairport’s remarkable evolution, contributing to a catalogue that includes the landmark album Liege & Lief — widely regarded as the blueprint for English folk-rock.
But long before awards and accolades, there were early trips across the Irish Sea under very different circumstances.
“It was indeed,” Pegg recalls of his first visit to Belfast in 1970, at the height of the Troubles. “It was a worrying time for us all. A horrible time, you know.”
His connection to the city runs deeper than touring. Pegg speaks warmly of friendships forged through music, including Belfast-born songwriter Anthony John Clark, whose work captured the realities of life during those years.
“He wrote a great song, The Broken Years, about living in Belfast at the time,” Pegg says, also citing Paul Brady’s haunting classic The Island. “It was a scary time.”
Yet even amid the uncertainty, music offered a kind of sanctuary.
“We were honoured to be able to come over. It was a joy to play in the Queen’s Hall, with an audience where everybody loved music and being together. The Troubles didn’t exist in music — not for us anyway.”
Those early visits left lasting impressions. Pegg vividly remembers being welcomed into the home of the legendary McPeake Family.
“We had breakfast there — it was wonderful,” he says, recalling the warmth and generosity shown despite the tensions of the time.
Over the years, Fairport Convention have returned to Ireland many times, building a loyal following and deep affection for audiences north and south. Pegg also fondly remembers touring Belfast with fellow folk favourite Ralph McTell.
“We love playing in Ireland. Love it,” he says simply.
Fairport’s influence has stretched far beyond their own recordings. Their 1969 masterpiece Liege & Lief is often credited as the first true English folk-rock album, and its impact continues to resonate.
“It was an amazing album,” Pegg reflects. “It came out before I joined, and I couldn’t believe how great the band was.”
He recalls seeing the group live before becoming a member — a performance that would prove historic, featuring the late Sandy Denny and Ashley Hutchings shortly before the band’s unexpected split.
“They made the best album they’d done up to that time — and then split up. It was a crazy thing to do,” he laughs. “But everyone was so young. People wanted to do their own thing.”
That spirit of creative independence has defined Fairport Convention ever since. Over the decades, the band has featured a roll call of exceptional musicians, including Richard Thompson, yet relationships have endured.
“We remain friends when people leave,” Pegg says. “We all play on each other’s albums. It’s very much a family affair.”
Now, 59 years since their formation, Fairport Convention continue to bring that sense of camaraderie and musical passion to stages around the world. Winners of the BBC Lifetime Achievement Award, their legacy is secure — but for Pegg and his bandmates, the live experience remains at the heart of it all.
Audiences in Belfast can expect a set rich in classics, alongside surprises drawn from across their extensive catalogue — a testament to a band that has never stood still.
And as Pegg’s memories make clear, their connection with Belfast is about far more than music.
“It’s always been special for us,” he says. “And it still is.”
Fairport Convention play Belfast's Mandela Hall this Sunday 19th April. Book your tickets at www.musiccapital.org