The Trials of Cato represent a significant shift in the UK folk revival of the late 2010s, moving away from the indie-folk tropes toward a more technically proficient, instrumentally-focused sound. Formed in 2015 in Beirut by Tomos Williams, Will Addison, and Robin Jones, the band's name reflects their early rehearsals in a friend's apartment.
Their sound is characterized by intricate, interlocking fretted string arrangements and a 'stomping' rhythmic quality that has earned them comparisons to high-energy acts like Talisk. Their debut album, Hide and Hair (2018), was a critical landmark, winning Best Album at the 2019 BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards. The departure of Addison and the addition of Polly Bolton in 2020 introduced a new vocal and mandolin dynamic, leading to the more experimental and myth-heavy Gog Magog (2022). They are central figures in a scene that values traditional roots while embracing the energy of modern performance, bridging the gap between historical preservation and contemporary relevance.
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