Folk icon Martin Carthy is performing in Bradford as a curtain-raiser to the city’s political song festival, Raise Your Banners.

The veteran singer, one of the most influential figures in British traditional folk music, will be at the Topic Folk Club on the eve of this year’s festival, running from November 25 to 27.

Twice winner of BBC Radio 2’s Folk Singer of the Year award, Mr Carthy is widely regarded as one of the finest singers and interpreters of traditional folk music. He was an inspiration to artists such as Bob Dylan, Paul Simon and Richard Thompson in the early days of the folk revival, and his musical collaborations include singing and playing with folk acts The Watersons, Steeleye Span and Albion Country Band.

Martin Carthy will be at the Topic Folk Club, which meets at the Bradford Irish Club, Rebecca Street, on Thursday, November 24. Tickets are available on club nights or on (01274) 877556, (01274) 225822 or by e-mailing tocharn@ gmail.com.

The Raise Your Banners festival will include concerts, workshops, theatre, film shows, talks, a book fair and stalls at venues including the Kala Sangam Centre and Bradford Cathedral. For more details, visit raiseyourbanners.org.