Tonight, Bristol is sweltering under a climate-change sky. It's sticky and oven-hot. People slump in the Christ Church chairs, enjoying the tiniest bit of respite, hoping for comfort. It's fortunate, then, that CARA DILLON seems to have her own, in-built, air-conditioning system. She is a gentle breeze, the soft breath from the North (Northern Ireland in her case).
This feels like a special night for Downend Folk & Roots. It's absolutely packed, for a start. But it's a validation too; there have been plenty of big folk musicians here over the years but few of them are bigger, or better, than Dillon.
The number of Folk Awards that she's been nominated for, and won, is extraordinary but, as soon as she sings, entirely understandable. Her voice is simply glorious.
As I Roved Out is clean and clear as a diamond ring, it glitters like cut glass, it is cool like a crystal stream. Immediately the heat of the day is washed away. Her Irish lilt is so full of home that it's incredibly hard not to picture rolling hills, low mountains and dramatic coastlines. Dillon is, as ever, accompanied by Sam Lakeman who adds wonderfully subtle guitar. He never overshadows, constantly stepping back to allow her to shine.
Their set is studded with traditional songs. A brace of Swallows - She's Like the Swallow and The Tern and the Swallow - are effortless. Dillon's voice glides between clear-blue-sky-high and deeper, edged with gorse, but it flits between the two, as easy as flying. Bright Morning Star is more upbeat, but just as beautiful. Dillon and Lakeman in perfect harmony.
There's harmony from the audience too. A reverential murmur rolling from the pews during The Gem of the Roe which becomes a Sunday-evening, heartfelt rapture on Tommy Sand's There Were Roses.
Cara Dillon’s most recent project is Coming Home, a book of poetry accompanied by an album. It's full of family, of memory and love. The title track is half spoken, half sung and scatters words to the winds, allowing them to float across the audience, landing like confetti kisses. Lakeman plays gentle piano while Dillon’s words captivate. She does the same on Giving, a poem about her mum, and no heart goes untouched.
There is such a languid grace about much of this evening that it is all the more thrilling when they lift the tempo a fraction. Éirigh Suas a Stóirín is deliciously Irish, carried on Lakeman’s feverish strumming and Dillon’s whistle while Raggle Taggle Gypsy descends into charming chaos. There is tenderness and enormous fun amongst all of the loveliness.
By the time they encore with The Parting Glass the sun has set and the sizzle has left the pavements. Cara Dillon and Sam Lakeman steer us, gently, into the night, refreshed and ready to welcome the longest day.
When the evening was at its warmest, however, local(ish) duo HERON ISLAND had to try to rouse the audience from their sun-stunned torpor. Chaz Thorogood and Giles Nuttall came armed with acoustic guitars and a clutch of quality indie-folk songs and the stickiness of the day was quickly forgotten. Suitably sunshine-y and flecked with harmonies, they are wonderfully radio-friendly in the best possible way. Los Angeles has an excellent line in wry humour and Long Run is blessed with a damn good tune.
The weather might have been doing its level best to knock the stuffing out of Downend but Cara Dillon was effortlessly cool. A blessed relief.
Photos: Barry Savell
To have an artist of CARA DILLON's stature perform in this corner of South Gloucestershire goes to show how well-thought of our monthly concerts become in the last eleven years, and it’s no surprise that this concert is already down to balcony seats, with the main allocation downstairs having sold out in record time.
We are thrilled to reveal our programme for Autumn/Winter 2025. As usual, we’ve struck the balance between well-known names and brilliant emerging talent, we’re sure you’ll agree.
The programme kicks off on Friday 19 September, when SARAH McQUAID will be our headline guest. Sarah’s lush, chocolatey voice combines with her engaging personality and brilliant musicianship on acoustic and electric guitars, keyboards and (occasionally) drum to create a truly immersive experience. Opening the evening will be long-time friend of DF&R, MIKE WEAVER, a singer-songwriter originally from Cheltenham, but now living in Worcestershire. He is a writer and illustrator by day and an acoustic performer by night, presenting his own melodic songs which draw upon both contemporary and traditional influences.
We’ve been wanting to feature THE SHACKLETON TRIO for quite some time, and the stars have finally aligned as they headline our concert on Friday 17 October. The trio features Georgia Shackleton (fiddle, vocals), Aaren Bennett (guitar) and Nic Zuppardi (mandolin and banjo). Collectively the band draw influence from British, American and Scandinavian folk traditions, whilst Georgia’s flair for sourcing largely unsung material from East Anglia keeps the band firmly rooted in their local tradition. In support will be THE ASHEN KEYS, a multi instrumental, multi voiced celebration of heartfelt storytelling from Kent. Their sound tells of influences from folk, blues, pop, classical and even early music. Expect to be taken on a journey through dark folk tales, bittersweet love stories and reveries on nature, all with exquisite vocal harmonies and unique instrumentation.
Back in March of 2022, we were due to welcome KNIGHT & SPIERS, but that pesky covid intervened. We’re delighted to say we’ve finally managed to find a date to reschedule, and they’ll be with us on Friday 21 November. 'Folk a-listers’, ‘folk royalty’ and ‘folk icons' are terms frequently applied to both Peter and John, but what it means in reality is that they bring the best of traditional music to any stage they play. The exquisite explorations of the liminal space that exists between traditional and classical music is what makes the music so compelling and beguiling, ultimately rendering genres irrelevant. Getting us underway will be FLY YETI FLY, an alt-folk duo whose enchanting harmonies, warm instrumentation and heartfelt storytelling weave songs about connection and community. Blending folk, roots and Americana influences, their music is both uplifting and deeply moving. This concert will be live-streamed in partnership with LIVE TO YOUR LIVING ROOM.
Our December concert is always a highlight of the musical year, and this one should be no exception as we welcome a duo who stole the show at our 10th Anniversary Celebration last Summer. BRYONY GRIFFITH & ALICE JONES return with their sensational seasonal tour Wesselbobs on Friday 19 December. Following the success of their 2023 album of the same name, they present a unique collection of winter songs and tunes sourced from their beloved native county. Together they have unearthed a treasure trove of traditional gems, featuring uniquely local versions of more classic seasonal songs and showcasing the traditions, tales and winter rituals of the richly diverse musical culture in which they are immersed. As is now traditional, DF&R favourites HEARTWOOD CHORUS will open the evening. Leader Neil Johnson creates masterful arrangements of traditional songs and new interpretations of future classics from the contemporary folk scene. What started as a community project has evolved into a quality folk act in its own right. This is not a choir that sings folk music… this is a bonafide folk choir, and one that's been called the “finest in the UK”. This concert is another that will be live-streamed in partnership with LIVE TO YOUR LIVING ROOM.
All four concerts will take place at CHRIST CHURCH DOWNEND as usual, and seating is unreserved. Tickets are £14 in advance (£16 on the door) and are available online HERE, and from MELANIE’S KITCHEN in Downend. Please note that Melanie's Kitchen can only take cash payments. 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 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, BLUESKY, YOUTUBE or TIKTOK.
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