The Road To Peterloo

Released in 2019 on the Back Shift label, The Road To Peterloo was a collaborative project conceived to commemorate the bicentenary of the Peterloo Massacre of 1819. The album features Pete Coe, Brian Peters, and Laura Smyth, who sought to contextualize the historical events in Manchester through traditional folk song, spoken word, and period-appropriate arrangements. By anchoring the tragedy in the cultural landscape of the time, the artists aimed to honor the legacy of those who campaigned for parliamentary reform and social justice.

The album reflects a meticulously researched approach to historical storytelling, drawing on a mixture of archival material and original compositions designed to evoke the atmosphere of early 19th-century Lancashire. The collaborative effort highlights the individual strengths of the three musicians, blending Coe’s deep knowledge of English folk tradition with the precise instrumental craftsmanship of Peters and the narrative vocal delivery of Smyth. Upon its release, it was well-regarded within the folk community for its educational intent and its ability to turn historical record into living musical history.