Jackie Oates & John Spiers are a celebrated British folk duo known for their captivating performances and masterful musicianship. Combining Jackie Oates’ ethereal vocals and fiddle playing with John Spiers’ virtuosic melodeon and concertina skills, the duo create a rich, emotive sound that has earned them critical acclaim and a dedicated following within the folk music community. Jackie Oates, a renowned folk singer and fiddler, gained recognition for her ability to bring fresh life to English folk music through her haunting voice and skillful arrangements. John Spiers is one of the most respected squeezebox players in the UK, known for his energetic and intricate playing. His work has spanned many facets of the folk scene, from performing with the popular duo Spiers & Boden to collaborations with numerous folk musicians and groups. Forming in 2020, Jackie Oates & John Spiers have created a duo that draws on the deep well of British folk traditions, while also pushing the genre forward. Their music often features traditional songs, reels, and ballads, but their approach to arrangement—infusing the tunes with their own unique interpretations—adds an intimate and contemporary touch. The interplay between Jackie Oates' delicate vocals and fiddle and John Spiers’ driving, intricate melodeon lines creates a sound that is both timeless and fresh. They put out their first release, Needle Pin, Needle Pin in 2020 with radio ballad The Lacemakers: The Lost Art Of Telling following in 2021. For their third offering, released in December 2024, they delved into the vast well of Christmas music to create A Midwinter's Night.