Katie Spencer

/£11 concs , show 8pm 'Her articulate picking, with suggestions of folk and jazz, frames intelligently written songs’ – Guitarist Magazine ‘Fresh as a sweet Sunday morning’ – MOJO ★★★★ ‘A fine singer-songwriter, and an excellent guitarist’ – Songlines ★★★★ ‘A master-class of inspired and beautifully-sounding craftsmanship’ – KLOF ‘One of the most distinctive voices in folk music’ – Folk London ‘What Love Is is a triumph. Katie deploys her signature vocal vibrato to devastating effect’ – At The Barrier Raised in the East Yorkshire flatlands on the fringes of Hull (UK), Katie Spencer’s landscape has always been that of open skies and widening rivers. It is this sense of space and movement that flows through her assured guitar style and songwriting. Now, as Katie steps into this new era with a third album, her focus turns to those deeper inner spaces, inviting the listener to engage with her heartfelt and intricately-crafted songs. Her writing, and most notably her guitar playing stems from a time when the steel-stringed instrument was truly finding its voice. Artists like Joni Mitchell, Judee Sill, Julie Byrne and perhaps most evidently Michael Chapman, weave into her sound. Katie absorbs these influences into her songwriting and with her distinctive deep vibrato and crystal-clear guitar style, she makes the music inimitably her own. Katie released her third album What Love Is in October 2025; an intimate collection of ten brand-new songs produced by Matt Ingram (Laura Marling, The Staves). It reached #12 in the Official Folk Albums Chart upon release. Recorded in London’s Urchin Studios and featuring prominent players Giacomo Smith (clarinet), Max Clilverd (pedal steel), Tom Mason (double bass) and Matt Ingram (drums, synth). What Love Is evokes the spirit of Joni Mitchell’s finest later works, always honouring without emulating. Lyrically mature and at times pastoral; the album is melodically sophisticated and unflinchingly honest. She moves effortlessly from wide- open jazz-tinged soundscapes, influenced by Pharoah Sanders and John Abercrombie, through to the folk- baroque fingerpicking style that her fans admire her for. Her singing is powerful yet warm, true and pristine in delivery. The musicianship throughout the record feels liberated by Katie’s innovation and confidence, and the result is a master-class of inspired and beautiful-sounding craftmanship. ‘. a world-class folk guitarist’ – f Roots 'Katie’s guitar playing has echoes of my dear friend the late great Bert Jansch. Like a musical weaver she threads her poetic lyrics through the guitar’s strings and produces tapestries of song.' – Ralph Mc Tell The Washed Up Folk Band  The Washed Up Folk band hail from the misty shores of Essex and Suffolk with a unique brand of traditional folk story-telling and modern arrangements.  “They intelligently weave together dynamic arrangements with rich vocal harmonies and insightful emotional depth, creating a compelling listen.” – folk and honey.

Venue: Colchester Arts Centre, Church Street, Colchester, Essex CO1 1NF.

Event type: Folk.

Book tickets / view event details

MAKE A DAY OF IT

Plan your visit to Colchester

Tickets, nearby stays and local ideas — all in one place. Free events can make a great day out too.

1. 🎟 Tickets

   Check entry details and any registration requirements.

   Official Event Site ↗ (opens in a new tab)

2. 🏨 Stay Nearby

   Make a night of it. Find somewhere to stay near Colchester.

   Where to stay in Colchester →

3. 🚆 Travel

   Plan your journey to Colchester and check the last leg to the venue.

   Trains to Colchester ↗ (opens in a new tab)

4. 🚗 Parking

   Look for parking near the venue. Check opening hours and restrictions.

   Find nearby parking ↗ (opens in a new tab)

5. 🍽 Food

   Find somewhere nearby to eat before or after the event.

   Find places to eat ↗ (opens in a new tab)

6. 🎡 Things To Do Nearby

   Make more of your visit with local attractions and days out.

   Find things to do nearby ↗ (opens in a new tab)

STAY A LITTLE LONGER

Make a night of it in Colchester

Start with local hotels, B&Bs, guest houses, holiday parks and other accommodation listed on Dovetail.

Where to stay in Colchester →

More ways to stay

Hotels · Premier Inn ↗ (opens in a new tab)Holiday cottages · Cottages.com ↗ (opens in a new tab)Lodges & holiday parks · Hoseasons ↗ (opens in a new tab)

Check dates, distance, availability and cancellation terms with the provider before booking.

Own accommodation in Colchester?
Get your hotel, B&B, guest house or holiday park in front of visitors planning local events.
How to list your accommodation on Dovetail →

Some booking links are affiliate links. If you book through them, Dovetail may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Local search and directory links help you plan your visit; availability and prices are confirmed by the provider.