There’s always a near enough full house at Downend Folk Club, and the recent EWAN McLENNAN gig was no exception, as the friendly and convivial confines of Frenchay Village Hall were populated with a crowd of regulars, returning punters and newcomers. It is refreshing, in these straightened times,  to see such a good crowd coming in regularly, supporting their local venue, and showing interest in the club, its performers and the music in general.

And the audience were treated to two performers, who, in different ways, summed up what folk music is all about.

MC Steve Johnson, deputising for a Folk Expo-ing Ant Miles, stood in with good grace and good humour. His presence is but one example of the professionalism and dedication of the club and its organisers, who look after all of the facilities of the venue – the raffle, the bar etc, and help maintain the homely, comfortable, but reverential atmosphere that the club is becoming rightly known for.

First up on the night was NIBS VAN DER SPUY, a South African singer and songwriter on a short tour of the UK. He enthralled and entertained the crowd with deceptively ‘simple’, honest, homely songs, accompanying himself with guitars of various shapes, and harmonica. With both vivid and immediate imagery, Nibs delivered quiet stories, exquisitely told. His delivery is comforting, his voice welcoming and his songs an interesting blend of influences (from the Beatles, via his British grandmother, to the indigenous music of Kwazula Natal). Songs like 'Shaded In Blue' and 'Anna Rosa', and tunes like 'Brunette On A Bicycle' were delivered on what looked like a solid-bodied, electro-acoustic guitar, before Nibs turned to a Puerto Rican 10 string Quattro guitar. 'Once I Climbed A Lion Mountain' shows how he is able to bring his local settings and experiences to a wider audience. Very much more than a support act, Nibs Van Der Spuy has the songs, the presence and the performance to turn his hand to many things.

After a break for parish announcements and recharged glasses, Ewan McLennan took to the stage. Immediately capturing the audience with his straightforward, make-it-look-easy delivery, McLennan put me in mind of both the guitar excellence of Martin Simpson and, vocally at least, Dick Gaughan, especially in settings of songs like Burns’ 'A Man’s A Man For A’ That'.

Photo: Julian Cox

From the overture and opening of the set, through songs in both Scots and English, he displayed both the humour and humility needed to attain the complete package of a folk singer that he is rapidly becoming. Real, unaffected, and once again, honest, I found myself nodding away, agreeing with him and his songs.

And of those songs, whether they be traveller songs from the north east of Scotland, or Ewan’s own, they often touch on the travelling life, both of home and far away. Performances like 'The Coat O’ Gold' remind you of the truth and power of folk music, with McLennan delivering classic Scottish music with a modern twist. He’s a performer who knows what he is doing and does it better than many – the Downend audience was kept in quiet rapture throughout his set.

'Lampeduza' was faultless and heartbreaking, showing that songs of migration can never be consigned to history, whilst Ewan reached for his banjo on 'The Miles I’ve Travelled'.

Into the second half, we were treated to the real life descriptions of 'Down The Line' and Alistair Hewlett’s 'The Granite Cage' and its description of the Red Clydeside period of 1915-1919. It’s obvious that Ewan is interested in stories of justice & representation, evidenced by the anti-war feelings of Ian Campbell’s Old Man’s Tale, Arthur McBride and the fascinating Blacken The Engines, which recounts a workers revolt in the East Kilbride Rolls Royce factory and its links to the 1973 Chilean coup.

In fact Chile turned up again, with 'Whistling The Esperanza'’s stirring tribute to the Chilean miners further illustrating Ewan’s ability to turn stories into songs.  With an encore of I’m A Man You Don’t Meet Everyday, Ewan rounded out his performance of honesty, truth, emotion and understanding – and how can you sum up folk music better than that?

- Gideon Thomas, Committee Member

We're thrilled to continue to bring you acts of the very highest quality, as we welcome EWAN McLENNAN as our guest on Friday 16th October. A singer and guitarist who is highly regarded by fans of music and fellow musicians alike, Ewan has quickly established himself as a story teller of the finest quality. Recording his first album in 2010, Ewan was no stranger to music, he just needed to find his sound.

London-born, Edinburgh-raised, Ewan started off playing the piano, graduating to guitar, where he excelled. Recording for the famous Fellside label and the BBC Radio 2 Horizon Award followed in 2011, and the scene was set for the establishment of our of the finest acts to grace the UK folk scene.

More awards (from Spiral Earth and the Alistair Hulett Memorial Prize for Political Songwriting and more albums followed, as well as an appearance on the Transatlantic Sessions. Singing and performing both traditional and contemporary songs, Ewan plays with passion and finesse for audiences small and large.

"Ewan McLennan has realised his potential on a wonderful album of traditional folk." - The Telegraph

Ewan’s most recent album is Stories Still Untold, a volume which further cements what Ewan is all about. Expect songs from this record as well as Ewan’s others, old favourites and new songs which will delight and enthrall.

"A gorgeous, lilting voice. So moving." - MOJO

We can't wait to welcome Ewan to Downend Folk Club, where he'll be supported by South African Kwazulu world guitarist and folk roots extraordinaire NIBS VAN DER SPUY. Raised in the fertile province of Kwazulu Natal, Nibs immersed himself in his natural environment to formulate a truly consummate and original sound. Growing up with the Beatles and learning first hand from traditional Zulu Maskandi guitarists, he quickly soaked up a rich tapestry of his close surroundings and beyond.

After playing the local folk scene around South Africa for years and gathering up a loyal following, his big stage break came after supporting Crosby, Stills and Nash on their 1996 South African tour. After that he was signed to the SHEER (South African World Music label) where he has released over 10 albums.

The event will be held at Frenchay Village Hall on Friday 16th October 2015. Doors open at 7.30pm and there will be a full bar serving GWB real ale, cider, wine and a range of soft drinks, as well as a raffle. Please do remember to bring your own glass/tankard/mug etc.

Tickets are £9 in advance, £10 on the door, and are available from Melanie’s Kitchen, Bristol Ticket Shop and online here. Members tickets are £8 and are available from the Members Only section of this website or direct from This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..