three beards

Three Beards

Three Beards are a folk group from the United Kingdom. The band centres on Holkham and presents itself as an “Eastern-Anglian” ensemble, drawing on Eastern European music and the dark traditions of East Anglian folklore.

Style and instrumentation

The group combines tight, often chaotic compositions with a wide range of instruments, including banjo, double bass, guitar, violin, marching drums, glockenspiel, accordion, mandolin, toy piano, tuba, saw and broom. Their line-up also includes the original trumpet from The Muppet Show. Their sound includes references to computer game music as well as Balkan, klezmer and Appalachian influences.

Character and approach

Three Beards are presented as an ensemble that moves between the musical imagery of the East European mountains and the plains of Norfolk, using folk material and unconventional instrumentation to shape a distinctive style.