Merry Hell

Merry Hell are a vibrant folk-rock band from Wigan, Greater Manchester, known for their energetic performances and socially conscious songwriting. Formed in 2010, the band emerged from the ashes of the 1990s folk-punk group The Tansads. The Kettle brothers—John Kettle (guitar), Bob Kettle (mandolin), and Andrew Kettle (vocals)—reunited with former bandmates and added new members, including John Kettle's wife, Virginia Kettle (vocals, guitar), to create a fresh identity and sound. Their debut album, Blink... and You Miss It (2011), was released under Mrs Casey Records. Subsequent albums, such as Head Full of Magic, Shoes Full of Rain (2013) and The Ghost in Our House and Other Stories (2015), showcased their evolving style, featuring collaborations with artists like Dave Swarbrick and Gordon Giltrap. The band's fourth album, Bloodlines (2016), marked a shift towards more politically charged themes, addressing issues like inequality and division. In 2020, Merry Hell released Emergency Lullabies, an album reflecting on the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and environmental concerns. The band continued to explore social issues with their 2023 compilation Let the Music Speak for Itself and 2025 album, Rising of the Bold.

Please enable Javascript to view this page competely.