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We are delighted to reveal our programme for Spring 2025. As usual, it features the very best in traditional and contemporary folk, roots and acoustic music, and we hope that you will agree that it’s one of our best yet.
We kick off after Christmas with THE BROTHERS GILLESPIE on Friday 17 January. Described by Folk Radio UK as "weaving an especially compelling magic", and "showing British acoustic music in its best possible light", the Northumbrian duo make music that is animated by lyrical songwriting, fine fingerstyle guitar playing, multi-instrumental musicianship and "the glorious tones of their blood harmony" (Sam Lee). Opening the evening will be LIZ SIMCOCK, whose songs – often autobiographical and highly personal – are immediately accessible to audiences and injected with poetry, emotion and splashes of humour.
SAM SWEENEY makes a welcome return to Downend to headline our concert on Friday 21 February, when he’ll be joined on stage by special guest LOUIS CAMPBELL. Sam is a veteran of the mighty Bellowhead, former and inaugural artistic director of the National Youth Folk Ensemble, founder member of the acclaimed instrumental trio Leveret, and "Britain’s premier fiddler" (Songlines), at the forefront of the revival in English traditional music. Bristol-based singer-songwriter LOU SHEPHERD brings the powerful energy of the folk revival firmly into the world of experimental indie-folk, and she will get the evening underway, with the concert also live-streamed in partnership with LIVE TO YOUR LIVING ROOM.
Friday 21 March will see THE ROSIE HOOD BAND headline our monthly concert. A Horizon Folk Award nominee, Rosie is known for her powerful, clear vocals and captivating performances combining poetic writing with honest interpretations of traditional English songs. Rosie is joined by fiddle-player Nicola Beazley, melodeon-player & percussionist Robyn Wallace and fiddle-player Rosie Butler-Hall. With songs of epic journeys, rural pastimes and loves lost and found, the BRISTOL FOLK SINGERS will open the evening, and this is another that we’re partnering with LIVE TO YOUR LIVING ROOM on as we live-stream the concert.
Our Spring programme draws to a close on Friday 25 April. HANNAH SCOTT went down a storm with a solo support set last year, and she returns to headline with her trio. Her music is shaped by human stories, with family, in all its chaos and glory, sitting at the heart of her work. Her lyrics are powerful and poignant, and her voice feels strangely familiar, though you can’t quite put your finger on why. CORUJA JONES is a songwriting project from Manchester-based musician and songwriter Dan Jones, originally hailing from Dudley in the West Midlands, and he will get the evening underway with some dreamy, melancholic, indie-folk. Please note that this concert is a week later than our usual third Friday slot due to the church being unavailable for the Easter weekend.
All four concerts will take place at CHRIST CHURCH DOWNEND as usual, and seating is unreserved. The concerts are all priced at £14 in advance, £16 on the door, but you can also 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. They are available online HERE, and they will also be available from MELANIE’S KITCHEN in Downend ahead of each individual gig. Please note that Melanie's Kitchen can only take cash payments and season tickets are not available at the shop. 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 7.30pm 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 never been more important!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 or X.
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Photos: Barry Savell
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