Rory McLeod

Rory McLeod is a British folk singer-songwriter from London, born in 1957. He performs as a solo artist and is also associated with the Freeborn John Theatre Company.

Performance style and instruments

His performances combine singing with storytelling in the style of a travelling minstrel or troubadour. He plays guitar, harmonica, trombone and a self-invented instrument called the stomping box. He is known for a full, busy live sound despite appearing alone on stage.

Songwriting and themes

McLeod’s songs are story-led ballads that often deal with family, justice, racism, poverty, immigration, travel and love.

Recordings

His albums include Angry Love, Kicking The Sawdust, Footsteps and Heartbeats, Travelling Home, Lullabies for Big Babies, Mouth to Mouth, Brave Faces, Songs for Big Little People and Swings and Roundabouts.

He travels widely as a performer and has a long recording career across the 1980s, 1990s, 2000s and 2010s.