The Unthanks, Southbank Centre

“Gan to the kye with me, my love

Gan to the kye with me

Over the moor and through the grove

I'll sing ditties to thee” – The Unthanks, 2011

'Can't you hear that boom, boom-badoom boom, boom badoom-boom?

Yeah that's the super bass

Boom-badoom boom, boom badoom-boom?' – Nicki Minaj, 2011

It is hard to believe that these two love-songs were released in the same century, let alone the same month. But, in a world of super basses, Rachel Unthank and her band have dared to ditty.

The Unthanks are some of the most remarkable folk musicians playing today. Drawing on traditional English ballads, these Mercury Prize nominees make music that is at once old as the hills, and startlingly modern.

Rachel and Becky Unthanks sing of foundling babes, blood, bones, crows and crones, in ancient harmonies. The sisters are backed by a now permanent line-up of five multi-instrumentalists, and often joined by additional forces. For the last decade, and over four critically acclaimed albums, these Geordies have ploughed a furrow between the traditions of folk, rock and jazz.

Now the band take to the stage of the Royal Festival Hall, joined by the chamber orchestra, Army of Generals. Expect spirited romps through traditional English ballads, covers of artists such as Elvis Costello and Antony Hegarty and – of course – sublime storytelling, this time on an orchestral scale.