Bellowhead split after ten years and will say goodbye with farewell tour

Energetic live performances are what this folk band have become known for

Bellowhead earned a reputation as one of the best live folk bands (Rex Features)

Folk band Bellowhead are splitting up after ten years of inspiring some of the liveliest jigs on the music scene.

The British 11-piece (accordion, brass, drums, you name it) announced the news last night in a post on their website, explaining that lead singer Jon Boden has decided to stand down and the others "don't wish to continue without him".

Fans have been mourning the decision but it's not all doom and gloom - Bellowhead will be performing a two-part farewell tour in November this year and April 2016 to give the band "the send off it deserves and go out with a bang".

"We hope you will not be too upset with us for calling time on the band," the statement continued. "Of course Bellowhead would have been nothing without the support of our amazing fans over the last decade."

Bellowhead's last gig will take place at the intimate Oxford Town Hall, where they played their first show in April 2004. Since then, the group have recorded fives studio albums and sold more than 250,000 copies.

Tour dates will be revealed in full this Friday 5 June, with tickets going on sale the following week on Friday 12 June.