Bristol based Folk-dub-jazz-almost-everything-else-in-the-world five piece, Gadarene, are massive festival favourites. It’s not hard to see why. They play infectious, wildly upbeat, wholly instrumental dance tunes that cause feet to twitch, smiles to widen. You’d be forgiven for thinking that a set of sixteenth and seventeenth century instrumentals, featuring fiddle and flute, might be a little bitContinue reading “Gadarene – The Folk House – April”
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Hannah James and Toby Kuhn – Downend Folk & Roots – March
Of all the brilliant musicians that have played this wonderful place over the last ten years, there can’t be many who are as constantly, determinedly creative as Hannah James. From extraordinary vocal trio, Lady Maisery, to innovative new-folk with Sam Sweeney, from her Jigdoll Ensemble to an album of accordion and clog dancing with Swedish-Estonian musician TuuklikkiContinue reading “Hannah James and Toby Kuhn – Downend Folk & Roots – March”
Sam Sweeney – Lantern Hall – March
Traditionally, Mothering Sunday was the time to visit your “mother” church. The place where you belonged, the place where your spirit was happiest. There’s something incredibly fitting, therefore, that Sam Sweeney should spend Mothers’ Day at the Bristol Beacon. If there’s a place that he seems to love, then it’s here. His last album, EscapeContinue reading “Sam Sweeney – Lantern Hall – March”
Carrivick Sisters – Downend Folk & Root – March
About two songs into The Carrivick Sisters set, on the first of Downend Folk & Roots Saturday lunch time shows, a tiny pair of feet storms forward, dashing headlong towards the stage. They are caught. Scooped up. Returned to safety. For about 30 seconds. Ant Miles, head honcho at Downend, is determined to broaden the scopeContinue reading “Carrivick Sisters – Downend Folk & Root – March”
Martha Tilston – The Jam Jar – March
Stepping out onto the stage, supporting the sublime, Bristol-born, Martha Tilston, Nathan Ball surveys the odd, rag-tag seating arrangements at the front of the Jam Jar and hopes that “you’re sitting comfortably”. The chairs have just appeared, people getting cosy, ready to luxuriate as two wonderful artists apply musical balm for the troubled soul. Ball is aContinue reading “Martha Tilston – The Jam Jar – March”
Emily Breeze – The Fleece – February
There’s a tee-shirt for sale at the merch stand that reads “Second Rodeo”, a knowing, wry comment (and reference to her forthcoming EP) that probably makes Emily Breeze laugh. There is no sense that this current tour is Breeze’s first go ‘round the block and she seems damn proud of that fact. Her latest album, Rapture, is a defiant,Continue reading “Emily Breeze – The Fleece – February”
SykesMartin – Downend Folk & Roots – February
“This is the first gig we’ve done in ages”, says Hannah Martin, “please be kind”. Martin (of Edgelarks) and Miranda Sykes (of Show of Hands) have been away for ages. There was Covid, having children, illness, all of which conspired against touring. Tonight, though, is the start of a new tour in support of a brilliant new album, Unquenching Fire.Continue reading “SykesMartin – Downend Folk & Roots – February”
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