Hannah James and the JigDoll Ensemble at The Stoller Hall

Johnny James, Managing Editor

Book now

Hannah James and the JigDoll Ensemble

The Stoller Hall, Manchester
8 October 2019

Always double check opening hours with the venue before making a special visit.

Hannah James
Book now

A key figure in the recent revival of English percussive dance, Hannah James is a multi-faceted performer who is equally regarded as a singer, accordionist, composer and clog dancer. Here’s what to expect from her performance with the JigDoll Ensemble at The Stoller Hall.

Over the course of nearly two decades, James has amassed an international following. She’s been a key player in some of Britain’s most respected folk projects, including Songs of Separation, which won the BBC Radio 2 Folk Award for Best Album in 2017. Her vocal trio Lady Maisery, meanwhile, was nominated for the Horizon Award at the 2012 BBC Folk Awards, and has produced three critically acclaimed albums: Weave & Spin, Mayday and Cycle.

It was 2015’s JigDoll, though, which really caught the folk world’s attention. This innovative one-woman-show reinvented the notion of solo performance by combining all four of James’ disciplines simultaneously in an immersive, unforgettable song and dance experience. Inspiring The Guardian to brand James “a true original”, JigDoll was widely praised for its deft combination of cutting-edge looping technology and vocal, accordion and composition skill. This winning formula was topped off with a stunning fusion of traditional and wholly original dance.

At The Stoller Hall, James will elevate this project to new heights with the JigDoll Ensemble. Starring an international lineup of award-winning performers – Glasgow fiddle player Kate Young, Estonian bassist Marti Tarn and Hungarian percussionist András Des – the ensemble will focus on their recent album, The Woman And Her Words, which explores themes of toxic masculinity, belonging, the human experience, love and female power. Expect to be blown away by a spellbinding tour de force of dance, music, body percussion and spoken word.

Where to go near Hannah James and the JigDoll Ensemble at The Stoller Hall

Virgin Red Room
Manchester
Virgin Red Room

The Virgin Red Room is a new private members space located at Manchester’s AO Arena, with VIP access to some of the city’s biggest gigs.

Manchester
Restaurant
Chish & Fips

A special kind of Japanese-inspired fish and chip shop, from the team behind the incredible (and sadly-missed) Umezushi restaurant.

Manchester
Restaurant
Kitchen In An Arch

An offshoot from the much-loved Umezushi, this specialist deli is a one-stop-shop for all your sushi making needs, and also hosts occasional workshops to improve your culinary skills.

Chetham’s Library in Long Millgate in Manchester
Manchester
Library
Chetham’s Library

Chetham’s Library is one of the must-sees of any visit to Manchester. The library was founded in 1653, and is the oldest public library in the world – but the building dates back even further, to 1421.

Cathedral Quarter
Place of worship
Manchester Cathedral

A regular venue for gigs and one-off cultural events, Manchester Cathedral is nevertheless a working place of worship – open all year round.

Cathedral Quarter
Restaurant
Mamucium

High-class restaurant next to Victoria Station in Manchester, and attached to Hotel Indigo. Famed for steaks.

Cathedral Gardens
Cathedral Quarter
Park
Cathedral Gardens

Cathedral Gardens is a partially lawned public space in Manchester city centre, located between Manchester Cathedral and the National Football Museum.

Manchester
Event venue
Festa Italiana

The 2022 Festa Italiana was a roaring success, with great food options and captivating live music performances throughout the weekend.

The National Football Museum Manchester
Manchester
Museum
National Football Museum

The National Football Museum is now open to the public, ready to show off its impressive array of football-related exhibits and activities.

What's on: Music

A man in a black mac and black rain hat plays a double bass on some rocks in the countryside.
ActivityBradford
The Bradford Progress

Bradford celebrates its rich musical landscape with a two-day sonic journey led by Turner Prize winner Jeremy Deller, Charles Hazlewood and Paraorchestra.

Free entry
Rina Srabonian.
MusicCity Centre
manchester jazz festival 2025

manchester jazz festival is back this May with 10 days of live music from some of the best northern, national and international musicians operating in the world of contemporary jazz.

0-£30

Culture Guides

Theatre in Manchester and the North
Theatre in the North

Eclectic as ever. You'll find inventive reworkings, world-class contemporary dance and Greater Manchester's inaugural Improv Festival in our guide.

Laura Ellen Bacon, Into Being, 2025. Photo © India Hobson, courtesy Yorkshire Sculpture Park
Exhibitions in the North

Willow weaving, textile collages, digital arts and ecology - all this and more in our exhibition top picks this month

portrait of Lorsung in a dark shirt with dark hair and dark round glasses
Literature Events in the North

We've got laughs and we've got leftfield on the live literature radar this month. Something for everyone, from poets playing with form to short story writers looking long.

Sextile
Music in the North

Open air clubs, new festivals and long-awaited gigs. The North West's live music scene is heating up this spring. 

Classical Music in the North

Read our latest highlights from the live classical music offer in Manchester and the North, taking in a number of the region's most cherished orchestral forces and venues.