Calling Englishman Jim Ghedi a kind of enfant terrible of folk music would not be entirely off the mark. Although his music is rooted in traditional folk, he refuses to be pigeonholed. In fact, as a guitarist, songwriter, and composer, Jim Ghedi has long proven that, with his experimental approach, he is not afraid to push the boundaries of the genre.

His latest album, Wasteland, from 2025, is clear evidence of this. The album's combination of electric guitar, heavy rhythms, and drone-like harmonies creates a cinematic expression that lives up to its apocalyptic title.

Jim Ghedi comes from a background in his hometown of Sheffield's DIY music scene and, in his own words, has “never felt welcome” in the English folk scene. In his music, experimental noise and improvisation are the rule rather than the exception. Here, old-school English folk melodies meet bold, modern expressions, creating a sound that is both melancholic and violent.

Ghedi joins the ranks of new artists such as Lankum, Shovel Dance Collective, and Alasdair Roberts, who have all explored and developed their own take on folk music.

Get ready for an evening of playful experimentation and long, psychedelic cuts when Jim Ghedi visits Ideal Bar on February 4