Gig Review: Bella Hardy - Kitchen Garden, Kings Heath, Birmingham. Thursday 12th March 2026
When you have a song easily ranked in the top echelon of 21st century contemporary folk compositions flaunting it at every opportunity is a given. ‘ The Herring Girl’ has looked after Bella Hardy for around fifteen years and any live airing never fails to move especially the final line. True to form it appeared deep in the second set of her return to the Kitchen Garden. An evening when the howling wind and driving rain resembled her beloved Peak District. Bella Hardy’s status in the folk world is secure even if wider activity has taken a backseat letting other duties and activities take place. The fact she returned to Birmingham a little over a year since making her Kitchen Garden debut in November 2024 and shared a few new songs suggested a more prominent future. Prior to this larger venues were the domain and the resultant popularity garnered a near sell out for what was a show with little narrative attached. This time the trio format was assembled with Danny Wallington joinin...