The Solstice is in just a couple of days. The darkest of days followed by a gradual, slow lifting, when light is, finally, allowed back into the world. It’s a winter-y festival full of hope and the celebration of togetherness. It is entirely fitting, then, that The Unthanks are touring their magnificent In Winter album, just inContinue reading “The Unthanks – Bristol Beacon – December”
Category Archives: Folk
A Winter Union – Downend Folk & Roots – December
There’s the smell of mulled wine in the air, hundreds of people muffled up against the December night, the finest Folk choir in the country harmonising beautifully, there are sparkles and woolly hats and an expectant hum that there will be magic again. It can only be the Downend Folk and Roots Christmas shindig. TheContinue reading “A Winter Union – Downend Folk & Roots – December”
Hannah Sanders & Ben Savage – Folk House – November
Hannah Sanders and Ben Savage met twelve years ago, at a Folk Club, and have been making gorgeous Country-tinged Folk music ever since. On their frequent visits to Bristol, they have always performed as a duo. Until now. To celebrate the release of their fourth album, In the Dark We Grow, they are joined by Jacob Stoney, on keys,Continue reading “Hannah Sanders & Ben Savage – Folk House – November”
Jackie Oates – Downend Folk & Roots – November (lunch time concert)
There’s something very special about a Saturday afternoon spent watching live music. Everything just stops. All of the hassle, all of the heartache just melts away. This is the second of Downend Folk and Roots’ Saturday lunchtime gigs and Jackie Oates proves herself to be the perfect guest for a laid-back, inclusive, gentle hour (orContinue reading “Jackie Oates – Downend Folk & Roots – November (lunch time concert)”
Up Late Folk – Bristol Cathedral – November
Luke Jerram’s Gaia is, undoubtedly, a beautiful thing. A seven-metre replica of Earth, spinning slowly above the altar in the Cathedral is utterly awe inspiring. In theory, these Up Late shows allow audiences to marvel at the beauty of the earth and enjoy some brilliant music too. It almost works out that way. Bristol-based trio,Continue reading “Up Late Folk – Bristol Cathedral – November”
Sheelanagig/The Schmoozenbergs – Strange Brew – November
On a very chilly evening, friends waltz and, eventually, leap and bounce under the mirrored shimmer of the Strange Brew glitterball. Tiny lights pick out laughter and smiles as two of Bristol’s finest live bands chase away the November blues. If tonight is a celebration of twenty years of Sheelanagig’s folk madness, then The Schmoozenbergs areContinue reading “Sheelanagig/The Schmoozenbergs – Strange Brew – November”
Bella Hardy – Folk House – November
“I promised my friend that you’d get a set of feminist bangers”. Bella Hardy chuckles, having just told everyone that You Don’t Owe the World Pretty. It’s a song that she wrote for her niece, when she was very little, and perfectly combines everything that is glorious about Edale’s favourite fiddle playing daughter. It’s folk-y enough for traditionalists, popContinue reading “Bella Hardy – Folk House – November”
Opa Rosa – The Jam Jar – November
Fiddle and accordion, double bass and clattering percussion are guaranteed to get feet moving and hands in the air. Eastern European grooves force knee-bends and fingers flickering in the air. A relentless, undulating rhythm seems to be searching for something to push it over the edge. And then Isis Wolf-Light raises her clarinet to theContinue reading “Opa Rosa – The Jam Jar – November”
Kris Drever – Folk House – November
What with all of the Balkan, Klezmer, folk-punk stuff around it’s easy to forget the utter joy that a great singer-songwriter can bring. Kris Drever is, undoubtedly, a really great singer-songwriter. From the Orkney Islands, a member of Lau, contributor to the gorgeous Spell Songs project, winner of countless folk awards, he is one of those hiddenContinue reading “Kris Drever – Folk House – November”
Granny’s Attic – Downend Folk & Roots – November
There are those that will tell you that live music is struggling, that people just don’t go and see gigs since Covid. Those people should have told the packed house for Granny’s Attic at one of the best folk clubs in the country. Downend was heaving, with hundreds of people only too pleased to welcome oneContinue reading “Granny’s Attic – Downend Folk & Roots – November”
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