We are thrilled to reveal our programme for Autumn/Winter 2026. We’ve managed to bring a couple of long-term targets to South Gloucestershire, as well as rounding off the season with our now-famous festive concert.
The season kicks off on Friday 18 September with a visit from RANAGRI, who we’ve wanted to book for a long time. Renowned for their commanding live performances, Ranagri deliver a sound that is both intricate and expansive. Soaring vocals, rich harmonies, and driving rhythmic energy intertwine with masterful instrumentation - flutes, whistles, harp, bodhrán, hammered dulcimer, percussion and guitars - forming a virtuosic and immersive soundscape around lead singer Dónal Rogers. The result is a musical experience that feels at once intimate, powerful, and unmistakably anthemic. Opening the evening will be award-winning alternative folk vocal duo NIC JANAWAY & SARAH OWEN, who perform with a powerful, resonant live energy, coaxing listeners deeply into the hearts of traditionally-rooted songs, through daring and wayward recompositions, space-filling vocal harmonies and minimalism-inspired interlocking instrumental work.
October’s concert will see TARREN in the headline slot, on Friday 16 October. Formed in 2021, this trio is creating New-Folk music, inspired by the English tradition while incorporating modern influences and their trademark modular hooks and riffs. They released their debut album Revel in 2022 to high critical acclaim with the album being likened to Faustus and Lau’s iconic debut Lightweights and Gentlemen. This success was built on in 2024 with the release of their second studio album Outside Time. Tarren is fast becoming known for intricate and dynamic arrangements of traditional and original material, tight musicianship, a forward-thinking outlook, and an inclusive and engaging on-stage presence. Supporting the trio will be RHONA MACFARLANE, a rising Scottish singer-songwriter whose emotive voice and evocative storytelling have been described as ‘casting a gentle spell over her audience’.
TOBY SHAER, ARCHIE MOSS & JACK WARNOCK will be our headline guests, on Friday 20 November. A brand-new trio formed by three seasoned session musicians, this collaboration between Archie Moss, Toby Shaer, and Jack Warnock was born out of a shared love for traditional music from the UK, Ireland, and mainland Europe. Since meeting in 2019, the trio have established themselves not only as dynamic performers but also as sensitive re- interpreters of the tradition. This trio approach their craft and arrangements with delicacy and thought, drawing influence from a plethora of traditions. A collaboration of three like-minded musicians presenting folk music through a contemporary lens. Opening the evening will be ERIN MANSFIELD. Known for authentic, bold interpretations of traditional music, they’ve developed a distinctive sound, delivering songs with a powerful three-octave voice, addressing social issues.
We’ll round off the season on Friday 18 December with our festive concert, which has become a highlight in the diaries of local music-lovers. We’re thrilled to welcome back THE WILDERNESS YET to headline the show. This new trio combines the acclaimed talents of folksinger Rosie Hodgson, traditional fiddler Rowan Piggott, and guitarist-flautist Philippe Barnes. Independently, they have earned audiences’ esteem as consummate musicians; together, they weave an eclectic tapestry of traditional and original songs and tunes; from a cappella three-part harmonies to luscious instrumental arrangements. As is now traditional, the evening will begin with a set from HEARTWOOD CHORUS, a Bristol-based folk choir who sing original arrangements of songs whose murky origins stretch back centuries and centuries, songs our grannies taught us and future classics from the thriving contemporary folk scene.
All four 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 four concerts for £50, 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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