Music / folk
Folk music celebrates fifth anniversary in historic venue
For the fifth year running, Bristol is set to be graced by a series of folk performances in the historic setting of John Wesley’s New Room, with a line-up including Bristol-based folk outfit Methera Quartet.
The Folk at the New Room series has been responsible for more than 30 folk concerts over the course of its lifetime, including major names such as Sam Sweeney, Peggy Seeger and Three Cane Whale.
This year, New Room co-director Louise Wratten oversees the return of Methera Quartet, who performed at the event’s first iteration, with appearances later in the year from singer-songwriter Lucy Farrell and Bristolian multi-instrumentalist Nick Hart.
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Consisting of cellist Lucy Elkiss, violist Miranda Rutter and fiddle players Emma Ried and Sam Sweeney, Methera are well-established as a live act after numerous national tours, with a sound that incorporates elements of traditional folk and chamber music.
Their 2017 performance at the first Folk at the New Room was a resounding critical success, one which Miranda Rutter is keen to replicate this year.
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“The New Room is such a unique and special place. Five years after our first performance there, we are really looking forward to coming back to play in its beautiful acoustic space,” says Rutter, adding “we were lucky enough to open this great series, so it is an honour to be back to celebrate 5 years of Folk at the New Room.”
Founded by John Wesley in 1739, the New Room is the oldest Methodist chapel in the world, previously housing some of the earliest Methodist societies and even today attracting pilgrims from across the globe.
Now, the space has become open to the general public for education, conferencing and, occasionally, the enjoyment of truly excellent folk music.
Methera Quartet will be performing on September 22, Lucy Farrell on 12 October and Nick Hart on 17 November.
For tickets, click here
Main photo: Folk at the New Room
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