With a talent that belies his tender years, LUKE JACKSON is a star both on the rise, and at the top of his zenith, and he will grace the stage at Frenchay Village Hall as he headlines our March concert.

As a singer and songwriter strongly in the roots vein, Canterbury-based Luke has already made a reputation for himself as a solo performer as well as with his trio. Festival appearances and support slots with the likes of Show of Hands, Steve Knightley, Martyn Joseph and Karine Polwart have wowed crowds up and down the country, including on two short tours of Scotland, where he’s played at the Belladrum and Edinburgh Fringe Festivals. His international touring has included Belgium, The Netherlands and Germany, and now brings his disarming singing and guitar playing to South Gloucestershire.

Click on the image for video

All of this hard work on the road has resulted in some great recognition. As well as nominations for the Horizon Award and the Young Folk Artist of the Year at the 2013 BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards, Luke was rightly named Fatea Magazine’s Male Artist of the Year.

Luke’s style is both rich and tender, with a percussive guitar technique to match his impressive voice. His songwriting, too, has come on leaps and bounds in the years he has been performing. His stories will envelop you in their words and melodies, and we just know he will be a hit with the Downend crowd. He’ll be performing songs from across his career, from debut More Than Boys to the 2015 EP This Family Tree. These releases are supplemented by 2014’s Fumes and Faith. Luke will also be playing songs from his new record, to be released later this year.

"Reminds me of Jeff Buckley, which can only be a good thing" – Mark Radcliffe, BBC Radio 2

“It’s been a great start to the year, and Luke’s appearance at Downend Folk Club just reinforces that,” said chairman Ant Miles. “Luke’s a very rootsy singer and player, and he is seriously talented. We fully expect yet another sell out, so we really would urge people to buy their tickets early."

Support on the night comes from the superb fiddle singer, HANNAH CUMMING. After classical training, Hannah learned a more folk-leaning style and has gone on to find success in the band Dyer:Cummings and performing and running workshops with her brother Alex. Playing at Towersey Festival as part of the Shooting Roots programme exposed Hannah to yet more influences, she joined young klezmer group The Klezbians whilst at University. She will kick off what is guaranteed to be a great night.

The event will be held at Frenchay Village Hall on Friday 18th March 2016. Doors open at 7.30pm and there will be a full bar serving GWB real ale, cider, wine and a range of soft drinks, for which we encourage you to bring your own glass.

Tickets cost £10 each, but you can get them for £9 if you book before Friday 11th March. They are available from Melanie’s Kitchen in Downend, Bristol Ticket Shop in the city, or online here. Members tickets are £8 eafh and are available from the Members Only area of this website or direct from Ant Miles (before Friday 1th March).