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”
Tag Archives: Bristol
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”
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”
Bellowhead – Bristol Beacon – November
Life’s a bit rubbish really, isn’t it? It’s cold, for starters. And America has lost its mind (again). And the criminals that have run our country for the best part of fifteen years are still not behind bars. It’s just as well we have music to cheer us up. It’s just as well Bellowhead are touring again.Continue reading “Bellowhead – Bristol Beacon – November”
Afro Celt Sound System – SWX – October
Slightly more than a year ago, the world of music lost Simon Emmerson. The guitarist was the founder of both Weekend and Working Week but is, probably, best known for his pioneering work with two of the greatest Folk-y fusion bands of all time. If Imagined Village have their feet in English Folk music then Afro Celt SoundContinue reading “Afro Celt Sound System – SWX – October”
Fairground Attraction – Bristol Beacon – October
Just a few days ago, 80s popstrel, Rick Astley, was on the radio talking about “nostalgia shows”. Presumably to make himself feel a bit better, he said something like “every band that’s released more than about three singles plays nostalgia shows”. Thirty-five years after their acrimonious split, Fairground Attraction are back and happy to celebrate the oldContinue reading “Fairground Attraction – Bristol Beacon – October”
TallFolk 