On Friday 18th July, we will be joined by Gren Bartley as our headline guest for a solo gig.
“As an acoustic finger-picking guitar and banjo player he has few if any equals in his age group; as an acoustic rooted-in-folk writer he's developing an alarmingly good canon of work" - R2 Magazine
Gren Bartley is a prolific and exceptional songwriter. He is constantly touring and forever writing. The critically acclaimed new album “Winter Fires” (out now) is yet another giant leap forward and is building further upon the success of 2012's "Songs To Scythe Back The Overgrown".
“A quiet triumph, no less” - fRoots
Showcasing his “phenomenal” guitar playing and poetry driven lyrics, Gren is touring relentlessly either solo, as a duo or with the full band. The workshops he hosts in guitar playing and songwriting have been described as “brilliantly fresh”. Gren is truly the future of folk songwriting, using his influences from folk and blues traditions to bring something unique to this modern day troubadour. He is an artist not to be missed.
“If awe inspiring albums really are delivered through vivid dreams whilst slipping in and out of illness induced delirium, then I want what Gren Bartley had. "Songs To Scythe Back The Overgrown" is an album that will enhance his reputation, not only as a top guitar and banjo picker, but also as a wordsmith and fully fledged troubadour. He wields his serrated edge sound with surgical precision, cutting deep into your psyche and then seeing which nerves reach the heart strings, which ones operate the tear ducts and which ones just get the feet tapping. A game changing album.” - FATEA Magazine
“One to really look out for...” - BBC Radio 2
And that's not all... for the first time, Downend Folk Club will feature a support act, and we're pleased to welcome Emi McDade for the July event.
Emi is a 16-year old singer-songwriter from Gloucester, whose piano-driven folk-pop has already won her lots of admirers.
Emi will open with a short slot before we welcome Gren Bartley on to our stage. The event will be held at Frenchay Village Hall on Friday 18th July, and tickets are available online here. You can also buy tickets from Baguette-Me-Not in Downend. They are priced at £9 in advance... a real bargain for two stunning acts!
On Friday 20th June, we will be joined by the award-winning Ange Hardy for a concert at Frenchay Village Hall.
Ange is a folk singer, songwriter and guitarist from West Somerset. In January 2014 she was awarded FATEA Magazine's prestigious “Female Vocalist of the Year” following the release of her 2013 album “Bare Foot Folk”.
Ange Hardy performs live as a solo act but her mesmerising combination of beautiful story telling and delicate guitar work is given a contemporary twist through her exceptional use of 'live looping' to build vocal harmonies. Ange stands with a digital tape recorder at her feet that allows her to record and instantly play-back what she is singing. The effortlessness with which she builds layers of perfect harmonies in front of your eyes, combined with her honest and heartfelt insight into the stories and inspirations behind her songs, is absolutely captivating.
Ange's 2014 performance dates include a variety of theatres, folk clubs, and festivals and her set will include favourites from her previous two albums, as well as a number of new tracks from “The Lament of the Black Sheep”.
“Very very rootsy and very very folky, I do like her stuff!” - Mike Harding
"Ange’s sound itself is sweet, that is the only real word for it. Sweet as in pleasant to hear and leaves you wanting to have just one more. The album is all her work so the extra voice dubbing is a good addition as it gives her already strong voice an extra magical hold over the listeners." - Bright Young Folk
"If I were putting the album of the year show together today, this would be it... watch out for Ange Hardy... she's bursting onto the scene fully formed" - Readifolk Radio
The gig will be held at Frenchay Village Hall, and tickets are on sale now here or from Baguette Me Not in Downend.
4.6.14
Well, that was a bit special, wasn't it?!
Last Friday, we were proud to welcome the BBC Radio 2 Folk Singer of the Year Bella Hardy to Downend Folk Club... and she showed us exactly why she scooped the prestigious award back in February.
Bella delivered a mixture of traditional songs and her own compositions, relying just on two fiddles and her stunning voice.
More than 120 people - easily a sell-out - were present to hear Bella's mesmerising performance, and also to enjoy the fabulous Great Western Brewing Company beers...
We're already looking forward to the next event, Ange Hardy in June. Tickets are on sale NOW!
In the meantime, our very own Alan Cole popped his photographer hat on for the evening to capture Bella's gig, and you can view the gallery here. Apologies for the rogues gallery towards the end! Please note that clicking this link will take you to Alan's Music Festival Photos website. Have a look around, it's a great site!
See you in June!
21.5.14
Photograph by Alan Cole
Used with permission.
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