You wait twelve months for the best gig of the year and then, on a mid-December evening, it comes charging out of the darkness and smacks you over the head. A triple threat, a combination of sucker punches, a holy trinity. Skinny Lister and friends at The Fleece were virtually a religious experience. Only muchContinue reading “Skinny Lister – The Fleece – December”
Tag Archives: Bristol
Owen Spafford & Louis Campbell – Downend Folk & Roots – July
There are flickerings, scratches and scritches echoing and haunting Christ Church this evening. As late July sunlight pours into the place, blinding those on stage, things half forgotten, less than half remembered, sit, patiently, and wait. Owen Spafford and Louis Campbell are young, their brilliant debut album just released, and are right at the forefrontContinue reading “Owen Spafford & Louis Campbell – Downend Folk & Roots – July”
Amanda Shires – The Exchange – June
Despite Black Deer festival, despite Taylor and Kacey, Country music gets a bit of a bad rap in the UK. In the public perception, it’s either nasty, misogynist bro-country or sugar-y sweet tweeness. It’s either big-hat or big-hair. It’s a shame really because, as Amanda Shires and Jarrod Dickenson effortlessly prove, country music is great.Continue reading “Amanda Shires – The Exchange – June”
Steve Earle – St George’s – June
There’s always been something about a gig filled, summer evening in Bristol. As the day cools and the last rays of sun roll down Park Street there’s a sleepy, smiley laziness, a hand beckoning you over, the promise of fun as the night unfolds. There’s a gentle hum about the place, a buzz, a thrumContinue reading “Steve Earle – St George’s – June”
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”
A Winter Union – Folk House – December 2022
Ok. It can all begin now. The halls can be decked, the Holly boughs bought in, the fa-la-las can be sung. The Trees can be trimmed, the lights can be turned on, stockings can be hung. A Winter Union are touring so the world can be made festive. This is the seventh Christmas that BenContinue reading “A Winter Union – Folk House – 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”
Skerryvore – The Fleece – November 2022
Way back, in the 16th century, bagpipes echo-ed around battlefields. They accompanied Highland regiments, replaced the trumpet and were regarded as the sound of the battle. Infact they are the only musical instrument classed as a weapon of war. There is a very real possibility that Skerryvore know all of these things because, for hugeContinue reading “Skerryvore – The Fleece – November 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”
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