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(NB: This page has been set up as a tribute to Swan Arcade and is maintained by the daughter of one of the band members, not any of the band themselves) if you have any mp3s or other photographs or information that you feel should be contributed to this page, do get in touch!
Formed in Bradford, Yorkshire, England, in 1970, Swan Arcade comprised Dave Brady (vocals), Heather Brady (vocals) and Jim Boyes (vocals/guitar). The band took their name from a local landmark that was demolished during re-planning of the city, and were renowned for both their powerful unaccompanied vocals and strong harmonies, and their arrangements of both traditional and contemporary material. Boyes left in 1972, having moved to Sheffield. His place was taken by Royston Wood from the Young Tradition, and later Brian Miller, who provided bass harmonies. They appeared at most of the major British festivals and on BBC disc jockey John Peel's radio show. By 1974, Boyes had returned and there followed tours of Europe and Britain, with a concert performance for Dutch television with Kate and Anna McGarrigle. Matchless stayed in the Belgian folk charts for three years. Swan Arcade also worked extensively as backing vocalists, including sessions for Richard and Linda Thompson, Barry Melton, Ashley Hutchings and the Albion Band.
Swan Arcade broke up in 1978, with Boyes joining Jiggery Polkary and now more currently the stellar acapella trio Coope, Boyes and Simpson, as well as running folk lable and co-operative "No Masters" with his wife, Georgina.
The Bradys retired to the Lake District to run an hotel. Chris Taylor (who played drums and percussion in the earlier incarnation of S.A and sadly passed away in the summer of 2005) continued to play in Local bands fuelling his love for Blues, and was best known for being a core member of Jed's Blues Band. Kevin Hingston (who played bass and backing vocal on the 1976 electric album "Matchless" as well as live electric shows and festivals) now lives and works in London in media and film.
Eventually, they were persuaded to get back together, and in 1985, the appropriately entitled Together Forever received good reviews from the folk music press. Radio and festival appearances followed. Two years later Swan Arcade joined up with the Watersons to form Blue Murder. This line-up proved successful at a number of festivals, but commitments for both units prevented them from working together more often. Dave Brady continued to work as a roadie for the Scottish Chamber Orchestra and sadly passed away in the spring of 2006.
Swan Arcade have played support to John Martyn, Paul Kossoff (Free), and Rab Nokes to mention only a few.
