Music / Folk & Roots
Bristol’s month in folk & roots – April 2023
April is a bit like Christmas for those that love Folk and Roots, for those that like an accordion, fiddle and an acoustic guitar, in Bristol. There’s the usual massive heap of amazing music – everything from singer songwriters to Balkan madness – right across the city AND there’s the Bristol Folk Festival too. What more could anyone ask?
Bristol Folk Festival – various venues
April 28 – What a way to start the festival this is going to be – the very wonderful Lady Maisery play in the beautiful surroundings of the Bristol Cathedral. Expect incredible vocal harmonies from one of the finest of the UK’s contemporary folk bands.
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Hannah James, Hazel Askew and Rowan Rheingans always bring us fabulous songs, beautifully sung. It is absolutely guaranteed to be the perfect way to kick start a weekend of brilliant music.
Also on Friday will be Opa Rosa supported by Fritillaries at the Folk House. Opa Rosa are steeped in Klezmer, Balkan, Greek and Roma traditions and are seriously incredible live. Fritillaries are a lovely mix of Americana, English Folk and pop.
April 29 – The last time that Eliza Carthy played on a stage in Bristol she stamped and swirled with such abandon that she damaged her foot. Typical of the high-octane way that she attacks folk music, Carthy is one of the most electrifying performers in the Folk, or any other, world. She is truly the Queen of the Whirl.
On the Saturday she is joined at The Trinity by Hannah Sanders & Ben Savage and The Ciderhouse Rebellion (half of the incredible Anglo-Irish band The Haar) in the afternoon as well as incredible singer song-writer, Nick Hart in the evening.
April 30 – The final day of the festival will be headlined by local shanty favourites The Longest Johns. Chiefly known for their fantastic version of Wellerman, The Longest Johns are a raucous, good time band with brilliant harmonies and rollicking tunes.
Supporting them are Welsh power-folkies Calan who were simply jaw-dropping when they played at the Folk House last year.
Sunday afternoon is deliciously eclectic with the beautiful voice of folklore-ist and academic, Fay Hield, Angelina Morrison’s celebration of the Black British experience and some gorgeous harmony singing from Janice Burns and Jon Doran.
Just like last year, Bristol Folk Festival promises to be packed full of treats.
On April 21, Downend Folk & Roots welcomes Harbottle & Jonas. Renowned as one of the most exciting duos around, they blend the richness of the traditional with the power and intricacy of their own glorious voices. Expect plenty of tradfolk classics and one or two surprises too.
Away from things that are strictly Folk-y, The Fleece has two of the most exciting shows of the month. Caitlin Rose (April 23) is a Nashville based singer-songwriter who combines good ol’ country with a splash of rock‘n’roll and a dash of dreamy pop.
Equally wonderous will be Pokey LaFarge on the 26th. Absolutely astonishing live, LaFarge is a bit bluegrass, a bit Western Swing, a bit rock ‘n’ roll and a whole lot of brilliant.
If you fancy keeping things Country then the Louisiana have two nights that are going to be excellent. Moganway (April 14) fall pretty squarely into the Americana side of things, with a tiny hint of Fleetwood Mac, and are always a great night out.
Kassi Valazza’s debut album, Kassi Valazza Knows Nothing, is a burst of fuzzy guitar and pure sunshine. She plays on April 24.
Two incredible Northern voices have joined forces in Unthank:Smith to perform at the Trinity on the April 6. It’s a collaboration between Rachel Unthank, of Folk superheroes the Unthanks, and Paul Smith of Maximo Park.
It might sound unlikely but these two have just put out a brilliant album, Nowhere and Everywhere, that is a stunning celebration of storytelling.
Bristol based singer song-writer Elles Bailey brings a bit of blues-inspired Americana on April 15, in support of her stunning new album, Shining in the Half Light.
Other interesting places and things…
Noble Jacks are going to absolutely storm Lost Horizons on the April 7, Charlie Cunningham is at St George’s on April 19, Brìghde Chaimbeul, Ross Ainslie and Steven Byrnes play The Cube on April 22, Aldous Harding plays at the O2 Academy on April 24 and Moscow Drug Club are going to be all sorts of brilliant at The Wardrobe Theatre on April 25.
Like I said, April in Bristol is a bit like Christmas. It’s very, very exciting indeed.
Main photo: Bristol Folk Festival
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