We are thrilled to announce our programme for Spring 2023 as we continue to bring you the very best that the UK folk, roots and acoustic music scene has to offer.
We begin our season with the long-anticipated CLIFF WOOLLEY MEMORIAL CONCERT as we pay tribute to the man who typified exactly what Downend Folk & Roots is all about. The concert will feature CHRIS ELLIOTT & CAITLIN JONES, the recipients of the inaugural Cliff Woolley Memorial Award, as well as THE MAGNIFICENT AKs and BRISTOL MORRIS MEN; two groups that Cliff was a key part of. The concert takes place on Friday 20 January.
On Friday 17 February we welcome the innovative duo TOM MOORE & ARCHIE MOSS. Widely regarded as two of the best players and innovators in traditional folk amongst a precociously gifted generation, Moore & Moss’ finely-crafted arrangements wield a rare potency. Now, having toured with some of the biggest and brightest acts in the British folk scene, they reconvene to perform as duo. Opening the evening will be singer songwriter and long time friend of Downend Folk & Roots, MIKE WEAVER.
Our March concert falls on Friday 17 March, which is St Patrick’s Day, so we wanted to bring you something with an Irish flavour whilst still being a good fit for Downend Folk & Roots. We think we’ve managed that perfectly with innovative Anglo-Irish quartet THE HAAR. This four-piece matches the fresh talent of traditional Irish singer Molly Donnery with three of the most exciting instrumentalists on the folk and traditional music circuit: Cormac Byrne, Adam Summerhayes and Murray Grainger. Joining them on the bill will be Bristol-based electro-folk duo SOLARFERENCE.
Rounding off our Spring lineup will be HARBOTTLE & JONAS, who will be our guests on Friday 21 April. Partners in life and music, the dynamic Devon-based folk duo are one of the most exciting acts on the UK circuit today, combining a love of the richness of traditional folk with their own original and powerful songwriting. Getting us underway will be singer-songwriter ROBERT LANE.
All four concerts will take place at CHRIST CHURCH DOWNEND. Seating is unreserved. All tickets are £14 in advance (£16 on the door) but you can also buy a season ticket for all four concerts for £50, saving £6 plus booking fees. All tickets are non-refundable. They will also be available from MELANIE’S KITCHEN in Downend ahead of each individual gig. Please note that they 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.