Stolen From God: Truth, Music, and Untold Histories
at Halle St Peters, Manchester
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Stolen From God is a powerful and deeply researched song cycle by acclaimed songwriter Reg Meuross, exploring England’s role in the transatlantic trade in enslaved people. Through original songs and moving narration written by Meuross and spoken live by broadcaster Matthew Bannister, the performance brings to light overlooked history and uncomfortable truths.
Reg is joined on stage by two exceptional musicians: Cohen Braithwaite-Kilcoyne (concertina, vocals) and Suntou Susso (kora, percussion, vocals). Together, they blend English folk and West African traditions in a compelling and emotionally rich musical experience.
Stolen From God invites reflection on a past too often hidden, offering truth, beauty, and connection in equal measure.
Reg Meuross
Reg's imaginative and finely crafted songs have earned him the title of Master Storyteller (Pennyblack Music), and prompted Mike Harding to introduce him onto the stage of The Royal Albert Hall as 'one of the finest singer-songwriters this country has produced'. Reg is a true modern day troubadour – commenting on life as he sees it, with some of the most beautifully disarming songs and lyrics ever written. Reg Meuross www.regmeuross.com “…sounds like a forgotten, American 60s classic with echoes of Dylan, Tom Paxton & Leonard Cohen” Robin Denselow, The Guardian “There’s something special about the way he writes and delivers a song” Townes Van Zandt. In the mid-1980s Reg Meuross formed the Panic Brothers with Richard Morton, mixing Americana with humour and slick harmonies. Then came the Flamingos, Hank Wangford, and now 11 highly acclaimed solo albums have established his songs as ‘the hinges upon which swing the doors of perceptive English folk’ (Folkwords). Reg’s songs comment bravely on life as he sees it, bringing wide ranging stories from the ghosts of WW1 soldiers to the ravages of dementia, and some of the most beautifully disarming songs and lyrics ever written. Reg has that rare gift of being able to touch people, through his songs and performance, on a really human level. His words and music paint pictures that remain with the listener long after the song has been sung. “Meuross, quite simply, is one of the best” Malcolm Carter, Pennyblack Music “Powerful and moving songwriting” Martin Chilton, The Telegraph “A mighty songwriter and an equally fine singer” Martin Carthy 'Magnificent, powerful & moving' (Pete Townshend). 'Intelligent and thought-provoking songs, beautifully made and skilfully delivered' (The Times).
See Reg Meuross tour dates
Cohen Braithwaite-Kilcoyne
Described in The Living Tradition as ‘captivating, bold and striking’, Cohen Braithwaite-Kilcoyne is at the forefront of his generation of English folk musicians as both a powerful and commanding singer and a masterful player of the Anglo concertina and melodeon. Cohen’s solo repertoire is rooted in the English folk tradition, celebrating the age-old musical heritage of this broad and diverse land, with a particular interest in the music of the West Midlands, where Cohen spent many of his formative years. Traditional ballads, songs and tunes form the basis of Cohen’s material, but with a smattering of baroque, renaissance, ragtime, and music hall thrown in for good measure.
See Cohen Braithwaite-Kilcoyne tour dates
Suntou Susso
Suntou Susso is a multi-instrumentalist: Kora player, percussionist, singer and composer from The Gambia. Born a Griot in a 700-year old tradition, the Kora - harp-lute with 22 strings - is unique to the Griots of the Mandinka people. Griots have a unique societal role as oral historians, transmitting and preserving a people's culture through the generations in song, music and poetry. Suntou's family includes some of the world's most well-respected West African musicians, including Seckou Keita, Solo Cissokho and Sura and Mamudou Susso.
See Suntou Susso tour dates
Also Appearing
Matthew Bannister
Halle St Peters
40 Blossom Street
Ancoats
Manchester
M4 6BF
- Website:
- halle.co.uk/home.aspx
See all events at Halle St Peters
Halle St Peters
40 Blossom Street
Ancoats
Manchester
M4 6BF
- Website:
- halle.co.uk/home.aspx
See all events at Halle St Peters
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on Sun 5 October 2025