Folk angel Kate Rusby leaves behind her South Yorkshire village home to start her Christmas tour tonight. After releasing Sweet Bells in 2008, Kate has recorded a second set of South ...

Festive albums are generally, of course, planted in the family friendly end of things – unless an artist really wants to make a statement – and Kate’s wintery discs stick firmly to the programme.

Kate is at ease playing to 50 people in a folk club or 20,000 people at festivals such as Cambridge. Her increasing popularity means she is in demand throughout the UK and Europe. Growing up in a rich ...