Protest Days, Rebellion Nights: Songs and Stories of the Luddites by Monty +The Anywhens

They were days of direct action: the Diggers and the Levellers, the Plug Drawer rioters and the Pentrich rebels; the followers of King Ludd, and of Captain Swing; of juries, and spies; of executions, and alibis.

The tales of their actions are many; the songs of their deeds are still sung.

And today? Today, their stories still deserve to be told, their songs still deserve to be sung; so prepare to sit back, and let the Protest tales begin.

Isle of Wight based "Monty + The AnyWhens" is a collaboration between traditional storyteller Tony "Monty" Hirst and folk and blues duo Glenn Koppany (singer-songwriter) and Sue Cain.

Originally performing turn taking sets of folk songs and traditional tales, their first show, "Protest Days, Rebellion Nights", combines a powerful mix of stories with traditional and original songs about the Luddite times and other protests of the early nineteenth century. It had its first outing to a sell out audience at Ventnor Fringe, 2025.

About Tony "Monty" Hirst
Tony Hirst, aka Monty, is a traditional storyteller based on the Isle of Wight, with regular trips to Plymouth, Ross-on-Wye and Huddersfield. Thirty years a listener, and a regular teller since 2021, he tells traditional British, Irish and European folk tales and legends, deeply researched British historical tales of protest, treason and local tales of the Isle of Wight and Ross-on-Wye. He has recently started publishing "storynotes" collections of his research notes and tellings. With regular show performances on the Isle of Wight and at mainland fringe festivals, in his guise as TEA TALES, he is carving out a niche telling pop-up tales in cafes and music festival tea tents. A firm believer in bringing tales to new audiences, he frequents folk nights and open mics whenever and wherever the opportunity arises.

About The AnyWhens

The AnyWhens are an Isle of Wight-based duo regularly performing in pubs, folk clubs and festivals on the Island and the mainland. They play a mix of folk and blues but have a particular interest in historical songs, diversity and songs of the sea. As well as performing traditional and contemporary folk music to their own arrangements, they write and perform their own songs. Dark themes, love songs, songs of working class history and diversity played to foot tapping rhythms or melancholy tunes. A memorable duo who are quickly building an enthusiastic following.