In some parts of the South West, it has rained for more than 50 days this year. It certainly feels as though Bristol has been drenched for most of 2026, and it's all been a bit miserable really. What we need then, more than anything, is a bit of sunshine.
 
There's probably some kind of ridiculous irony that it takes a four-piece from Newcastle to bring some warmth to Downend, but that is exactly what Bluegrass northerners, THE OFTEN HERD, do. 
 
And there is nothing that invokes the last rays of a sleepy summer sun quite like the duel between mandolin and fiddle, the frog-on-a-log ribbit of a double bass and a guitar that simply sings. The Often Herd have all of these and magical harmonies too. The darkest days are instantly brightened.
 
 
This is the first date of a nationwide tour and it seems to be an opportunity to try out some new, yet to be recorded, songs and re-visit an old favourite, or two.
 
Casablanca is a recent-ish single and dust motes dance through sunbeams straight away. Evan Davies’ mandolin and Niles Krieger's fiddle link arms and do-si-do effortlessly while Rupert Hughes' voice is all laid-back '70s ease. It's the sound of well-worn denim, soft to the touch. 
 
Krieger's fiddle floats gently over so much of this evening. It's lazy and gentle on Remember My Name, nudging a bitter-sweet Davies memory into the light. Eventually it sweeps in, shoves any hint of melancholy to one side, and wipes the slate clean. On Sycamore Gap it is plaintive, aching with loss, while it swoons over the waltz-y Hold On.
 
It is the perfect mix between American, country-tinged good times and the lush green of an English pastoral idyll (maybe not that surprising as the American Krieger has lived in England for fifteen years). A version of Bill Monroe's Working on a Building is flecked with sawdust while raising gospel rafters. The fiddle carving light and hope. Solos from everyone else add gorgeous decoration and Hughes sings his heart out. Bluegrass magic in the most English of churches. 
 
 
Dylan's You're Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Go bounces along to Sam Quintana's bass, the perfect foundation for more intricate solos from Davies’ mandolin, while Inner Peace struts along a high wire, mandolin and fiddle recklessly chasing one another, just for fun. 
 
A cover of Lindisfarne's Meet Me on the Corner is comforting like an old friend. Hughes almost shimmers in '70s heartthrob soft-focus, singing from the hazy pages of Look In. The fiddle and mandolin are simply astonishing as Americana invades Englishness, once again. Each player steps forward to show what they've got but this isn't to show off, it's more a celebration. 
 
New songs, many of which go un-named, show that The Often Herd aren't satisfied with just (!) being a Bluegrass band. There are hints of “proper” country music, of swirls of folk and gauzy pop. Evergreen Blues, for example, is a stately waltz, filled with wit and charm, that explodes as Krieger pushes against the canopy overhead, letting in so much light.
 
By the end of their set there's dancing in the corners, whooping and hollering and dazed smiles on every face. And maybe, just maybe, there's some sunshine on the horizon.
 
 
The support for the evening was local duo GREEN TREE. Abbey and Rory from high-energy Bristol Bluegrass foot-stompers, Old Baby Mackerel, thank us for coming to see “weirdo American folk music” and then play a lovely set of, um, weirdo American folk music. Except, of course, it's not that weird at all - unless you consider writing a Bluegrass song about queueing in the Tesco in Staple Hill as strange (I Always Back the Wrong Horse).
 
Abbey's voice is wonderfully sweet, on Take me to the Sea, while her mandolin chugs away, allowing flash guitar solos from Rory. There's infectious exuberance and an assuredness that only the very best duos have, the ones that really know about this stuff. The instrumental, Where the Gnomes Live, taken from their latest EP, is just great. Two instruments, gloriously inter-locked, playing for the sheer delight of it. Another band finding light in the dark.
 
If the time since Christmas has been water-logged and miserable then a hefty dose of Bluegrass is exactly what is needed. Downend Folk & Roots, as it so often does, delivered in spades.
 
Words: Gavin McNamara
Photos: Barry Savell

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It’s bluegrass night in South Gloucestershire this month as a highly-rated four-piece travel from Newcastle to headline our February concert.

THE OFTEN HERD transcend the traditional boundaries of bluegrass music. Although they might resemble an American string band, complete with driving energy, tight vocal harmonies and dazzling instrumental interplay, their vibrant, transatlantic sound is deeply coloured by their surroundings; the striking natural and industrial landscapes of Northern England. This unique approach won them the title of “Best European Bluegrass Band 2018” at the prestigious La Roche Bluegrass Festival in France.

Rupert Hughes (guitar) and Evan Davies (mandolin), write songs steeped in personal experience whilst drawing from a wide pool of influences ranging from old-time to psychedelia. American-born fiddler Niles Krieger and jazz bassist Sam Quintana add fiery instrumental skills to the mix, launching the band’s arrangements into the stratosphere. Together, their sound is both boldly contemporary and soothingly familiar, taking time-honoured traditions to new places with a fresh perspective. Flock to the herd, you won’t be disappointed.

Opening the evening’s music will be GREEN TREE. Vibrant improvisation, impressive musicianship, dynamic stage-work: Abbey and Rory bring energy to the stage like no other duo. With both members hailing from prominent UK bluegrass band Old Baby Mackerel, it’s no surprise the confidence and virtuosic music these two share with an audience. Abbey’s award-winning mandolin playing (Blue Lass) is punchy with tasteful melodic lines, moving between strong traditional licks and sparkly backing parts. Rory shreds through burning-hot licks on his guitar, adding tasteful groove through his rhythmic backing alongside well-crafted and technically-challenging solos. 

Green Tree sets encompass traditional and more contemporary bluegrass songs, including the duo’s original material, featuring the members’ strong voices and love of tight harmonies, alongside varied stand-out instrumentals, giving a chance for each musician’s playing to shine. The end result is a performance built on two passionate musicians whose styles and playing work in harmony. 

Tickets for the concert, which takes place at CHRIST CHURCH DOWNEND on Friday 20th February 2026, are available online HERE or from Downend Cards and Gifts (cash only). They are priced at £14 each in advance or £16 on the door. Doors open at 7.00pm and the music starts around 7.45pm. For information on getting here and parking, please click HERE.

There will be a bar, stocking cider, soft drinks, wine, hot drinks and real ale from Bristol’s HOP UNION BREWERY. Audience members are encouraged to bring their own glass/mug/tankard, as well as reusable bottles for water; there is a 50p discount for those that do. Sweet treats at the bar are courtesy of Radstock-based THE GREAT CAKE COMPANY.

For further information, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or find us on FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM, BLUESKY, YOUTUBE or TIKTOK.

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We are delighted to announce our programme for Summer 2026. As usual, we’re bringing you the very best from across the folk, roots, acoustic and bluegrass genres; we’re sure you’ll agree that this is one of our best seasons yet.

We kick off the season on Friday 17 April with a visit from THE SAM KELLY TRIO. Sam  is a BBC Radio 2 Folk Award winning musician, singer, songwriter, and producer from Norfolk. Described by legendary folk broadcaster Mike Harding as ‘one of my favourite singers ever’ and by Cara Dillon as ‘an amazing singer with so much soul’, Sam has become one of the most accomplished and well-respected performers on the UK folk scene. He will be joined by long-term collaborator Jamie Francis and virtuosic multi instrumentalist and one of the finest button accordion players in the UK, Archie Churchill-Moss. Opening the evening will be Bristol’s own LOU SHEPHERD, a rising folk singer-songwriter whose emotive voice - “moss-soft and sun-tinged” (Bristol 24/7, FATEA) - has confirmed her place as one of the UK’s most exciting emerging folk artists.

We continue with an evening of modern bluegrass on Friday 15 May. THE CHARLOTTE CARRIVICK BAND brings together four of the most exciting musicians in the UK today. Charlotte Carrivick is a flatpicking guitarist of international renown. Joining Charlotte is in-demand fiddler Kieran Towers; master of tone and taste, Evan Davies on mandolin; and the firm hand of bassist Eleanor Wilkie. Together, their music is at times joyous, poignant, dark, pensive or exuberant with virtuosic instrumentals and close harmony singing. Getting us underway will be ERIKA OLSON. Heralded by Americana Highway as “a modern-day troubadour” with “impeccable musicianship and vocals,” Erika brings a distinctive blend of folk, Americana, and pop to the stage, forging a powerful connection with audiences through her intimate live performances.

Rounding the season will be BELINDA O’HOOLEY, who headlines on Friday 19 June. Belinda is an acclaimed pianist, singer, songwriter and composer celebrated for her expressive and distinctive musicality. Best known as one half of O’Hooley & Tidow, with her wife Heidi Tidow, she has been nominated four times for the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards. Her piano playing - elegant, inventive, and emotionally charged - has made her a sought-after collaborator. Joining Belinda on the evening’s bill will be GREN BARTLEY. Forever evolving and adapting, and with unmatched guitar work, he is a modern day troubadour, using his influences from older folk and world music traditions, to bring something new and unique to his audience. 

All three concerts will take place at CHRIST CHURCH DOWNEND as usual, and seating is unreserved. Tickets are £15 in advance (£17 on the door) and are available online HERE, and from Downend Cards & Gifts (correct cash only). There is also the option to buy a season ticket for all three concerts for £40, which saves a few pounds as well as booking fees. All tickets are non-refundable. There will be a full bar at all concerts, as well as a prize draw, all proceeds of which go towards booking our support artists. Doors open at 7.00pm for a 7.45pm start.

We're really excited about this season, and we hope you will be too. Keep supporting live music, it’s becoming more and more important with every passing month! For further information, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or find us on FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM, BLUESKY, YOUTUBE or TIKTOK.

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