Oxford's much-toured band 4-piece band, Moonrakers (Celtic harp, fiddle, stringed instruments, whistles, female/male vocals), present songs and tunes from the English, Irish and Scottish tradition as well as their own compositions. Moonrakers have been described as “startlingly talented” (Oxford Times) and now have five albums of "exquisite music "(BBC) backed by "truly wonderful" (Wycombe Festival) performances, It’s been almost 20 years since Moonrakers first appeared on the Oxfordshire music scene. Since then the band has seen several changes in the line-up, with only Jon Bennett as the constant throughout. Liz van Santen joined in 2007 and she and Jon often refer to themselves as the “slightly older bookends” at each end of the stage! The band prides itself on having brought traditional and contemporary folk music to thousands of people in rural communities, in churches and village halls as well as festivals and art centres. In 2016 Moonrakers had a new lease of life with two new younger members – Sarah Fell and Eleanor Dunsdon – bringing in fresh talent. Sarah is an experienced solo performer and community choir leader; Eleanor has played at folk festivals across the country with Luke Daniels and has been guest harpist with Cara Dillon. ‘Tides’ depicts change but also something constant that draws on recurring energy. So it is with Moonrakers – new songs, new tunes, but always a return to the living tradition that forms the bedrock of the music we love.