CRITICALLY acclaimed mus-icianship with roots in Swe-den and the British Isles comes to Colwall Village Hall next month.

Swp describe themselves as having the passion of a young garage band and the subtlety and dynamics of a string quartet. The line-up features Brits Karen Tweed (formerly of The Poozies) and Ian Carr on accordion and guitar and their Swedish colleagues Carina Normansson on fiddle and Ola Bckstrm on "a big fiddle with a monster's head".

The band has toured extensively in Europe and the US, and is the latest in a line of top folk names to appear in Colwall.

Promoter Adrian Mealing jokingly explained why they were appearing in the area.

"Colwall is becoming one of the fastest growing new cities in Europe, so they were pleased to include this mushrooming financial centre on their tour," he said.

"But seriously, acoustic bands particularly appreciate the ambience and intimacy of the English village hall. I think that musos like to get as close as possible to their audience."

The group has recorded two albums, Swp and (sic), on Gram-my award winning Swedish label Amigo, both of which were praised by the folk music press and national newspapers.

The gig, on Friday, February 1, will also feature support from Jonathan Penley & His Big Harp and The Big Hum.

The show begins at 7.45pm. Tickets are £10 for adults or £5 for children, available from Adrian Mealing on 01684 540366 or adrian@uktouring.org.uk.