With a shared passion for modern bluegrass, 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, sought for her inventive lead playing and regarded as an expert fiddle tune interpreter on the guitar, and her band headlines Downend Folk & Roots’ May concert.
Joining Charlotte is long time collaborator and in-demand fiddler, Kieran Towers (Pet Yeti); master of tone and taste, Evan Davies (The Often Herd) on the mandolin; and the firm hand of fellow Midnight Skyracer member, bassist Eleanor Wilkie. Together, their music is at times joyous, poignant, dark, pensive or exuberant with virtuosic instrumentals and close harmony singing.
As a founding member of IBMA award nominated, Island Records signed bluegrass powerhouse band, Midnight Skyracer, and one half of the more folk infused and award winning duo The Carrivick Sisters, Charlotte’s taste covers the breadth of the genre as well as taking influence from old time and jazz. It was during the recording of her debut solo album Sensible or Otherwise, showcasing her guitar playing and tune writing, that the band was formed.
If you are lover of new acoustic music, bluegrass, old time and swing you won’t want to miss this band!
Opening the evening will be an artist heralded by Americana Highway as “a modern-day troubadour” with “impeccable musicianship and vocals.” ERIKA OLSON brings a distinctive blend of folk, Americana, and pop to the stage, forging a powerful connection with audiences through her intimate live performances.
Since releasing her acclaimed debut album This Is How I Pray (2023), Erika has earned recognition as a finalist in Holler’s inaugural songwriting competition, secured a coveted place in the Purbeck Rising Competition, and performed widely across the UK, Europe, and the US. With a voice likened to Everything But The Girl, Emmylou Harris, and Bonnie Raitt, and songwriting reminiscent of Joni Mitchell, Erika weaves deeply personal narratives into universal themes.
Tickets for the concert, which takes place at CHRIST CHURCH DOWNEND on Friday 15 May 2026, are available online HERE. They are priced at £15 each in advance or £17 on the door. Doors open at 7.00pm and the music starts around 7.45pm. This event is also included in our Summer Season Ticket.
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, as part of the drive to be more environmentally aware; there is a 50p discount for those that do. There will also be sweet treats available at the bar courtesy of Radstock-based THE GREAT CAKE COMPANY, as well as a prize draw, which helps to fund the support artists for each concert.