Bellowhead interview: We're like a big family and the vibe is really strong

But violinist Sam Sweeney from the contemporary folk band told Weekend that being in such a big ensemble group has its advantages.

"It is quite funny," he said.

"For the photo shoot for the album, the record label wanted us to have our heads really close so they could have all of us in a tiny picture which is kind of impossible.

"But the good thing about having 11 people is you don’t tread on each others’ toes. If you don’t want to hang out with someone for a day you don’t have to.

"There are massive combinations of people you can spend time with so it’s not like being in a four-piece where you’re in each others’ pockets 24-7.

"We are like a big family and we get on really well and the vibe in the band is really strong."

That sense of camaraderie has withstood many trials too.

Sam added: "When I joined the band we were going around in a transit van. Doing that with 11 people is a bit mad.

"You had to have a lot of team spirit as it was a rough way of touring. Whereas now we have these tour buses which are lovely and I think the band are a bit less wild. There’s certainly a lot less rock and roll behaviour!"

Bellowhead will be playing in Warrington on Tuesday.

It follows their special 10th anniversary shows at Manchester’s Bridgewater Hall and The Royal Albert Hall in April last year.

"I think really no one expected Bellowhead to do this well," said Sam, who joined the band seven years ago when he was 18.

"It was formed to do one gig. It was supposed to be the headliner for Oxford Folk Festival 10 years ago and then it went down so well that they made an album.

"Now we’ve done five and we’re selling 28,000 tickets for a tour. Every time we do something we think: ‘It can’t get any better than this’ and then it does."

Among Bellowhead's accolades they have been named ‘Best Live Group’ at the BBC Folk Awards five times.

Sam, from Derbyshire, added: "I think you have to see Bellowhead live to understand it, that’s for sure.

"There are plenty of my friends, for example, who have never listened to folk music but they’ve come to see Bellowhead and loved it.

"I think when people have such a good time at a gig that they tell their friends and then their friends come along.

"You can make as many brilliant albums as you like but if you can’t put on a good show then you’re not really a good band.

"Bellowhead certainly can do that and I think our reputation will keep spreading as long as we keep putting on amazing shows.

"There’s a big resurgence of English folk music happening. The funny thing for me is we can play at these pop and rock festivals and mainstream events and have 5,000 people jumping up and down to a song that might be 300 years old but they don’t have a clue!

"The thing is if someone goes to see Bellowhead and then goes to their folk club or another folk event then we’ve done our job.

"People will slowly get further and further into the folk world which, as far as I’m concerned, is a brilliant thing.

"There is so much folk music out there and the more converted people we can get the better."

And despite selling out The Royal Albert Hall, Sam said he still loves playing in more intimate venues.

The 26-year-old said: "When the band wasn’t so big we used to play really small venues.

"You can feel the energy when you’ve got 300 people packed in and going crazy. You can see all of them and I loved that vibe.

"We have scaled up to a certain extent and it’s amazing to play places like Bridgewater Hall.

"But I like the places where you can keep the intimacy with the crowd and give them a show that is individual."

Sam started playing the violin when he was six after listening to his parents' Fairport Convention and Steeleye Span records.

He added: "I never wanted to do anything else so I count myself fortunate that I can make a living from music. From the age of 12 I was being paid to play the fiddle and I’ve never stopped."

- Bellowhead play at the Parr Hall on Tuesday. For tickets visit pyramidparrhall.com or call 442345.