There are rock bands, there are folk bands and there are folk rock bands, but next week there will be an explosion of rock and folk fusion from The Strawbs and Martin Turner’s Wishbone Ash.

The two bands are performing their own sets and a joint effort at a special gig in Swindon’s Wyvern Theatre on Sunday February 2.

The class of 1970 line-up of the Strawbs has David Cousins, Dave Lambert and Chas Crank in its ranks, and they will be performing tracks from albums such as Grave New World, Bursting At The Seams and Ghosts alongside their hits such as Lay Down, A Glimpse of Heaven and Benedictus at the Swindon supershow.

The Strawbs name came from an original bluegrass band called the Strawberry Hill Boys, but they morphed into the folk rock genre when they made their first album with Sandy Debby in 1967. Sandy went on to record with Fairport Convention but her influence was instrumental in attracting American interest from A &M Records so The Strawbs were the first British band to get signed to that label.

Martin Turner will be guesting with the folk legends, alongside keyboard wizard Adam Wakeman, as The Strawbs celebrate 50 years of music making.

He will also be taking his place leading Wishbone Ash on the Wyvern stage. The rock band began their musical journey in 1969 when Martin and Steve Upton arrived in London, and placed that now famous advertisement in Melody Maker, asking for a guitarist. They ended up with two - Ted Turner and Andy Powell - which created their pioneering sound of a twin-guitar rock band. Today Martin is joined on stage by guitarists Ray Hatfield, and Danny Wilson with Dave Wagstaffe on drums.

“I have had a wonderful time over the past few years re-discovering the wider Wishbone Ash catalogue and taking this to the people,‘’ said Martin.

The band will be playing tracks from their albums Pilgrimage, There’s the Rub, New England and the seminal 1972 offering Argus: Though The Looking Glass when they come to Swindon, but Martin still likes to mix it up on stage by throwing in a few of his new songs. “My song-writing has always been a backdrop to my real-life experiences and I am looking forward to getting creative as we prepare to take my band into its next chapter.” he said.

Tickets to see the classic rock and folk legends from 7.30pm are £23.50 from 01793 524481.- Flicky Harrison