Don’t you just love it when something does exactly what was promised? Saturday’s Bristol Sounds gig was billed as “A Beautiful Day Out” and that is precisely what we got. It was a one-day off-shoot of The Levellers’ annual gathering of the tribes. Local hero, and perennial support act for The Levellers, Gaz Brookfield wasContinue reading “The Levellers – Lloyd’s Amphitheatre – June”
Category Archives: Indie
Goat – SWX – April 2023
In Cookie Mueller’s brilliant book of essays about hanging out with John Waters and various nutcases in Baltimore, she constantly mentions a set of places. These are places that will survive the collapse of civilisation as we know it. They are the convergence of ley lines, special places. Special places if you are oddly unhingedContinue reading “Goat – SWX – April 2023”
The Mary Wallopers – Thekla – December 2022
There’s something stirring in Folk World. Away from the grey hairs and the comfy jumpers, away from the beautifully played fiddles, and the endless Child ballads, something is going on. Whether it’s the weird electronic scratches and scritches of Stick in the Wheel (amazing at Rough Trade last week), the stripped back savagery of LankumContinue reading “The Mary Wallopers – Thekla – December 2022”
Skinny Lister – Thekla – December 2022
How do you get rid of the winter blues? Or, perhaps, on another evening of World Cup disappointment, the winter Les Bleus? The answer’s easy. You go to the Thekla, jump about like a lunatic, sing at the top of your voice and fall into the drunken, loving embrace of the world’s finest shanty punkers,Continue reading “Skinny Lister – Thekla – December 2022”
Matt Deighton – Folk House – December 2022
On November 25th 1974 Nick Drake died aged just 26. On November 25th 2022 two remarkable singer-songwriters reminded us the power of gentle things and beautiful songs. Izzie Yardley presented little vignettes of life with a delightfully Denny-esque voice. A cover of Fotheringay’s The Sea was all that you’d hope an English Folk song toContinue reading “Matt Deighton – Folk House – December 2022”
India Electric Co – The Jam Jar – November 2022
There is something quintessentially English about tonight. Not only is it absolutely slinging it down outside but the two acts that sit (Jack Cookson) or strut (India Electric Co.) across the Jam Jar’s foliage strewn stage perfectly showcase where English Folk music is right now. Cookson finds his guitar, takes a seat, strums a chordContinue reading “India Electric Co – The Jam Jar – November 2022”
Anais Mitchell – The Fleece – November 2022
Mondays are rubbish. Too far from the next weekend, a day for an early night and a desperate hope that tomorrow will be better. Except, of course, that makes Mondays tailor made for an evening of hushed, gentle, beautiful alt-folk. Memorial are a Simon and Garfunkle-y two piece, clutching acoustic guitars and harmonies to meltContinue reading “Anais Mitchell – The Fleece – November 2022”
Tankus the Henge – The Fleece – November 2022
It feels as though Festival Season is a long way away. Just because Glastonbury sold out in moments (despite the eye watering cost) and so many others seem to be luring the early birds, a summer of bouncing around in fields is still a distant dream. Fortunately, Tankus the Henge and Cable Street Collective turnedContinue reading “Tankus the Henge – The Fleece – November 2022”
Tim Burgess – The Fleece – November 2022
When is a pop star not a pop star? Tim Burgess, cherubic lead singer of Baggy Britpoppers The Charlatans and lock down listening party hero, wanders on stage at The Fleece and adjusts a lovely, stripey cardigan. His seven-piece band gathers around him, he picks up a microphone, looking at it as though he’s neverContinue reading “Tim Burgess – The Fleece – November 2022”
TallFolk 