The Rosie Hood Band took the stage at the Froize with an enchanting set that combined beautifully crafted songs, captivating storytelling, and rich, traditional themes. From the opening track, The Swallow, Rosie Hood’s warm and angelic vocals immediately drew in the audience, setting the stage for an immersive musical journey. This was followed by The Turtle Dove, a love song inspired by birds, that continued the gentle, captivating flow of the set.
Rosie Hood’s distinctive look with stunning auburn curls framing her warm, expressive face was complemented by her quick sense of humour and light-hearted stories, which had the audience smiling throughout. Her unique song introductions added layers of charm, especially when sharing tales such as A Furlong of Flight, an imaginative narrative inspired by a monk’s daring attempt to fly from an Abbey in self-made wings, and The Marrow Seeds, a song sparked by the story of how family members were working to preserve a Syrian strain of giant courgette and ensure its future growth.
The band’s chemistry was palpable, with Rosie Butler-Hall on violin, Robyn Wallace on melodeon, and Nicola Beazley on a second violin. Together, they created intricate harmonies and melodies that resonated warmly with the audience. Rosie Hood’s soothing voice wrapped around each melody, making every song feel like a gentle embrace.
Humour found its way into the set too, with a couple of songs inspired by bread, delivered with puns that entertained the crowd. The Stranger on the Bank, a haunting response to Claudy Banks, explored a bittersweet love story that didn’t end happily—a theme Rosie handled with a graceful, touching tone.
A highlight was Tyger Fierce, a striking song recounting the tale of Hannah Twynnoy, who taunted a tiger in a travelling menagerie in the early 1700s until it broke free and ended her life. Rosie sang the song from the tiger’s perspective, adding raw insight into the animal’s instincts, and her rich storytelling left a lasting impression.
Particularly poignant was Wild Man of the Sea, based on the legend of The Wild Man of Orford. Written in Aldeburgh, this song had special resonance, and Rosie’s delight in performing it to a local audience was clear, adding an intimate, personal touch.
For the encore, the band performed Les Tricoteuses, a rousing song about the women who knitted beside the guillotine during the French Revolution. Ironically, one guest brought her knitting, adding an unexpected and fitting twist to the evening’s themes of folk tradition.
The evening’s legendary Froize culinary experience also made it unforgettable. Dishes including rabbit and leeks, katsu chicken, roast vegetable tagine, kedgeree, and lasagne kept guests more than satisfied, while decadent desserts, from chocolate mousse to apple crumble, ensured everyone left with full tummies and fond memories.
Overall, it was a remarkable night of expressive music, vibrant storytelling, and delicious food, leaving the audience in no doubt of the magic that is the Rosie Hood Band at the Froize.
