One night in Stockton On Tees, three teenagers heard strange sounds coming from the backroom of a pub. They went in. They heard people singing songs they’d never heard before. Songs without instruments. Songs in their accents. Songs about places they knew. Folk songs. They joined in. Because they were the youngest ones there by several decades, they were soon labeled The Young Uns.

20 years on they’ve carried their unfortunate name around the world, from Sydney to Vancouver, from Radio Tees to Radio 4, won three BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards, and gained a reputation for singing life-affirming songs of social conscience in immaculate three-part harmony. But as well as their 20th anniversary, Sean Cooney, Michael Hughes and David Eagle will each be celebrating their 40th birthdays on tour!