BRITAIN'S longest-lasting female duo are performing near Andover as they celebrate 30 years.

In case they’ve passed you by, Chris While and Julie Matthews are the longest-lasting female duo in Britain.

They have played more than 2,500 gigs, appeared on over 100 albums, written hundreds of original songs and reached millions of people around the world.

This year, they celebrate 30 years as a duo and are performing around the country to commemorate the achievement.

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Chris While and Julie MatthewsChris While and Julie Matthews (Image: Contributed)

Chris and Julie are generally regarded as folk singer-songwriters and have been nominated 10 times in the BBC Radio 2 Folk music awards in the 'Best Song’, ‘Best Duo’ and ‘Best Live Act' categories.

They won the ‘Best Duo’ award in 2009. Chris performs vocals, guitar, banjo, dulcimer and percussion) and Julie  performs vocals, piano, guitar, mandolin and bouzouki.

The pair are one of the most respected duos on the world folk roots scene.

Their outlook, however, is actually more akin to the DIY philosophy of punk. They oversee their own careers completely and are two empowered women doing it their way, without compromise.

In September 2024, they release their 13th studio album ‘Days Like These’, once again covering a wide range of topics and the "full spectrum of human emotions," on 12 brand new songs.

In October, they will embark on their biggest tour to date, celebrating 30 years at the very top of their game, with special guests joining them at a number of venues including King's Somborne Village Hal on October 18.

The full list of performances is as follows:

  • Wed 2nd, Biddulph, St. Lawrence’s Church
  • Thurs 3rd, Sheringham, Little Theatre
  • Fri 4th, Maltby, The Wesley Centre
  • Sat 5th, Nettleham, Village Hall
  • Sun 6th, Tamworth, Coton and Hopwas Social Club
  • Mon 7th, Bretforton, The Fleece, with special guest Marion Fleetwood
  • Tues 8th, Bristol, Beacon
  • Wed 9th, Birmingham, Kitchen Garden Café
  • Thurs 10th, Canterbury, Godmersham & Crundale Village Hall
  • Fri 11th, Osmington, Village Hall, with special guest Miranda Sykes
  • Sat 12th, Ipplepen, Village Hall, with special guest Miranda Sykes
  • Sun 13th, Plymouth, Folk on the Moor, with special guest Miranda Sykes
  • Mon 14th, Nettlebed, The Village Club
  • Tues 15th, Dartford, Folk Club (CIU)
  • Wed 16th, Marlborough, Town Hall
  • Thurs 17th, New Milton, Forrest Arts Centre
  • Fri 18th, King's Somborne, Village Hall
  • Sat 19th, Wychwood, Folk Club
  • Sun 20th, Hitchin, Folk Club, Cricket Pavillion
  • Mon 21st, Maldon, Town Hall
  • Wed 23rd, Bury, The Met, with special guest Kellie While
  • Thurs 24th, Sheffield, The Greystones, with special guest Kellie While
  • Fri 25th, Barnard Castle, The Witham
  • Sat 26th, Armathwaite, Village Hall
  • Sun 27th, Hunmanby, Village Hall

Readers can find out more by visiting: www.whileandmatthews.com