HAVING played pretty much every other venue in the area, it may be of some surprise Megson have never played the Colchester Arts Centre before.

Well that all changes when they take to the Church Street venue's stage next Monday.

Megson is a partnership in more ways than one and a musical outfit which has created a name for themselves across the music world and been nominated in the Best Duo category of the 2009 BBC Folk Awards.

Made-up of northern husband and wife team Stu Hanna and Debbie Palmer-Hanna, Megson was formed after they realised their chosen career paths were not for them.

Debbie was a classically-trained singer and accomplished in the violin, piano, whistles and concertina. They say opposites attract and it was the case as Stu was playing in a pop-punk band.

Both left their musical roots and started a folk journey in 2004. Since then, they have supported a number of bands, including Show of Hands and Seth Lakeman.

More recently they are names in their own right, selling out their tours over the past two years.

They have recorded three albums, the Guardian gave the latest album, Take Yourself a Wife, four stars in the jazz, folk and world section. Multi-talented Stu is also a producer and has produced albums for Benji Kilpatrick, Faustus and Mawkin: Causley. The latest Show of Hands album, released this autumn, was also produced by Stu.

For audiences at Colchester Arts Centre next Monday, the highlight will be the live performance.

Doors open at 7.45pm. Tickets cost £8 from the box office on 01206 500900.