Sarah McQuaid heads for the Old Baptist Chapel
Award-winning singer-songwriter Sarah McQuaid heads to play the beautifully restored Old Baptist Chapel in the historic town of Tewkesbury this November. The intimate venue, which was converted into a chapel during the 18th century, will provide a perfect setting for Sarah's relaxed and informal performance style.
Recently honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Ards International Guitar Festival in Northern Ireland, Sarah’s also drawn critical praise for her voice (which has been variously likened to malt whiskey and melted chocolate) and her engaging rapport with audiences: “I’ve attended hundreds of concerts of all kinds, and her subtle mastery onstage launches her straight into my fave shows ever,” wrote The Huffington Post.
With the release of her new album, the Madrid-born, Chicago-raised, Cornwall-based singer/songwriter has expanded her battery of instruments to include piano, electric guitar and drum, and it’s drawn critical raves internationally: Dutch music magazine Heaven hailed it as “an early contender for folk album of 2018,” the UK’s fRoots said it was “a collection to savour” and the USA’s PopMatters called it “a gateway into a true innovator’s soul.”
“The precision and sophistication of the writing and playing blows me away. I am so glad to be involved,” writes guitar legend Michael Chapman in his introduction to Sarah McQuaid’s fifth solo album If We Dig Any Deeper It Could Get Dangerous – which he offered to produce after meeting Sarah at a festival where they were both on the bill.
“Seeing a shared world in a new way, from a different angle, is the role of the songwriter. Sarah gets a gold star on that front. This is a fabulous album.” --
The Afterword
“A darkly melodic, richly layered folk tapestry ... haunting and sparse, yet beautifully rendered ... a voice as thick and soft as fur.” — Elmore Magazine
“A work of formidable passion.” — FolkWords
The concert will begin at 8pm on Friday 30th November, with doors open at 7.30pm. The Old Baptist Chapel is situated in a medieval alleyway off Church Street, opposite the Royal British Legion. Nearest car park is Abbey Lawns, a short distance away, free after 6pm. Other public car parks are nearby. Please note there is no bar at the venue, but audience members may bring their own alcoholic drinks if they wish. Tickets are £10 in advance or £12 on the door (if available). To buy online visit www.wegottickets.com/event/442334
Recently honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Ards International Guitar Festival in Northern Ireland, Sarah’s also drawn critical praise for her voice (which has been variously likened to malt whiskey and melted chocolate) and her engaging rapport with audiences: “I’ve attended hundreds of concerts of all kinds, and her subtle mastery onstage launches her straight into my fave shows ever,” wrote The Huffington Post.
With the release of her new album, the Madrid-born, Chicago-raised, Cornwall-based singer/songwriter has expanded her battery of instruments to include piano, electric guitar and drum, and it’s drawn critical raves internationally: Dutch music magazine Heaven hailed it as “an early contender for folk album of 2018,” the UK’s fRoots said it was “a collection to savour” and the USA’s PopMatters called it “a gateway into a true innovator’s soul.”
“The precision and sophistication of the writing and playing blows me away. I am so glad to be involved,” writes guitar legend Michael Chapman in his introduction to Sarah McQuaid’s fifth solo album If We Dig Any Deeper It Could Get Dangerous – which he offered to produce after meeting Sarah at a festival where they were both on the bill.
“Seeing a shared world in a new way, from a different angle, is the role of the songwriter. Sarah gets a gold star on that front. This is a fabulous album.” --
The Afterword
“A darkly melodic, richly layered folk tapestry ... haunting and sparse, yet beautifully rendered ... a voice as thick and soft as fur.” — Elmore Magazine
“A work of formidable passion.” — FolkWords
The concert will begin at 8pm on Friday 30th November, with doors open at 7.30pm. The Old Baptist Chapel is situated in a medieval alleyway off Church Street, opposite the Royal British Legion. Nearest car park is Abbey Lawns, a short distance away, free after 6pm. Other public car parks are nearby. Please note there is no bar at the venue, but audience members may bring their own alcoholic drinks if they wish. Tickets are £10 in advance or £12 on the door (if available). To buy online visit www.wegottickets.com/event/442334
Downend Folk Club announces Autumn programme
Bristol's burgeoning Downend Folk Club has announced its Autumn programme for 2018.
There is a real blend of styles across the broader folk genre from some of the UK's leading names - there really is something for everyone - and it's rounded off by a rather special Christmas treat!
Kicking off the programme on Friday 21st September, at the club's Frenchay Village Hall home, will be JIM CAUSLEY. During the past decade Jim has been nominated no less than six times for a BBC Radio 2 Folk Award. Opening for Jim will be singer-songwriter HANNAH WOOF.
October's gig sees a return to DOWNEND SCHOOL on Friday 19th as the club welcomes THE LUCY WARD BAND. Lucy is an impressive, original songwriter whose unique delivery and breath-taking voice has enchanted audiences the world over. JACK HOPKINSON will get the evening underway.
November headliners are MEGSON, at Frenchay Village Hall on Friday 16th. The husband and wife duo bring an infectious mix of heavenly vocals, lush harmonies and driving rhythmic guitars. Megson have gained fame on the British folk scene, not only for their arresting and intelligent songwriting, but for their exquisite musicianship and northern humour. Opening the evening will be the highly-rated KIRSTY MERRYN.
Rounding off the programme on Friday 21st December, as Downend Folk Club returns to CHRIST CHURCH DOWNEND after its refurbishment, will be a unique collaboration between two of the UK's top acts. 'AWAKE, ARISE: A CHRISTMAS TOUR FOR OUR TIMES' sees LADY MAISERY link-up with JIMMY ALDRIDGE & SID GOLDSMITH in what promises to be a stunning evening. The five-piece will be supported by DANNY PEDLER & ROSIE BUTLER-HALL.
For tickets and more information, visit www.downendfolkclub.co.uk
There is a real blend of styles across the broader folk genre from some of the UK's leading names - there really is something for everyone - and it's rounded off by a rather special Christmas treat!
Kicking off the programme on Friday 21st September, at the club's Frenchay Village Hall home, will be JIM CAUSLEY. During the past decade Jim has been nominated no less than six times for a BBC Radio 2 Folk Award. Opening for Jim will be singer-songwriter HANNAH WOOF.
October's gig sees a return to DOWNEND SCHOOL on Friday 19th as the club welcomes THE LUCY WARD BAND. Lucy is an impressive, original songwriter whose unique delivery and breath-taking voice has enchanted audiences the world over. JACK HOPKINSON will get the evening underway.
November headliners are MEGSON, at Frenchay Village Hall on Friday 16th. The husband and wife duo bring an infectious mix of heavenly vocals, lush harmonies and driving rhythmic guitars. Megson have gained fame on the British folk scene, not only for their arresting and intelligent songwriting, but for their exquisite musicianship and northern humour. Opening the evening will be the highly-rated KIRSTY MERRYN.
Rounding off the programme on Friday 21st December, as Downend Folk Club returns to CHRIST CHURCH DOWNEND after its refurbishment, will be a unique collaboration between two of the UK's top acts. 'AWAKE, ARISE: A CHRISTMAS TOUR FOR OUR TIMES' sees LADY MAISERY link-up with JIMMY ALDRIDGE & SID GOLDSMITH in what promises to be a stunning evening. The five-piece will be supported by DANNY PEDLER & ROSIE BUTLER-HALL.
For tickets and more information, visit www.downendfolkclub.co.uk
Steve Tilston brings Distant Days to Evesham
Leading English singer-songwriter returns to Evesham Arts Centre in September to showcase material from his new retrospective album, Distant Days.
Steve, who first performed at the centre's popular Folk In The Foyer concert two years ago, will offer a unique insight into his musical journey since the 1970s re-working some of his most treasured self-penned songs.
One of our most celebrated and recognisable songsmiths - the words, arrangements and subtle, superb guitar playing could be no one else. Since 1971 Steve has been turning out quality albums, winning accolades in Europe, Australia and the USA - as well as having his songs recorded by Fairport Convention, Dolores Keane and other illustrious performers.
In 2015 Steve's album Truth To Tell was rated one of the Telegraph's best folk albums of the year and he was voted Male Vocalist of the Year by FATEA. Steve's famous 'John Lennon Letter' anecdote also formed the basis for a Hollywood movice starring Al Pacino!
The Evesham Concert takes place on Thursday 27th September, when Steve will be accompanied by Hugh Bradley on Double Bass. The event starts at 8pm and tickets are available in advance online from www.eveshamartscentre.co.uk/folk-in-the-foyer-steve-tilston from the Box Office (01386 446944) or on the door (if available), Other concerts in this Autumn/Winter's 'Folk In The Foyer' series feature Daria Kulesh with Jonny Dyer (18th October), Clive Gregson (29th November) and Tobias Ben Jacob & Lukas Drinkwater (February 21st 2019).
Steve, who first performed at the centre's popular Folk In The Foyer concert two years ago, will offer a unique insight into his musical journey since the 1970s re-working some of his most treasured self-penned songs.
One of our most celebrated and recognisable songsmiths - the words, arrangements and subtle, superb guitar playing could be no one else. Since 1971 Steve has been turning out quality albums, winning accolades in Europe, Australia and the USA - as well as having his songs recorded by Fairport Convention, Dolores Keane and other illustrious performers.
In 2015 Steve's album Truth To Tell was rated one of the Telegraph's best folk albums of the year and he was voted Male Vocalist of the Year by FATEA. Steve's famous 'John Lennon Letter' anecdote also formed the basis for a Hollywood movice starring Al Pacino!
The Evesham Concert takes place on Thursday 27th September, when Steve will be accompanied by Hugh Bradley on Double Bass. The event starts at 8pm and tickets are available in advance online from www.eveshamartscentre.co.uk/folk-in-the-foyer-steve-tilston from the Box Office (01386 446944) or on the door (if available), Other concerts in this Autumn/Winter's 'Folk In The Foyer' series feature Daria Kulesh with Jonny Dyer (18th October), Clive Gregson (29th November) and Tobias Ben Jacob & Lukas Drinkwater (February 21st 2019).
Keeping Holywell's music tradition alive
Passionate music lover and promoter Geoff Smith is keeping Holywell’s music tradition alive and singing in the heart of Oxford, with a regular new concert series that's already off to a flying start: Holywell Music & Folk.
Holywell Music Room first opened its beautiful auditorium to the ears of the discerning music lover in 1748, and the room has hosted the best around for over 269 years now, from Handel to the Oxford Philharmonic.
Now, thanks to lifelong music fan Geoff Smith (pictured) - the driving force behind the exciting new live music venture Holywell Music & Folk - some of the best artists from the folk and singer-songwriter scene are now playing at this historic venue in the heart of Oxford.
Geoff has attracted some exciting support from Patron artists of this new venture, all of whom performed at the venue in 2018: “I was thrilled to be joining the 2018 line up at Holywell Music and Folk myself and bring real-life stories of inspirational and relatable people from the past including songs from my latest project No Petticoats Here” says Louise Jordan. Acclaimed Somerset singer-songwriter Reg Meuross is performed in July, “This is a fantastic initiative by Holywell Music & Folk and I'm proud to support it in every way I can."
Brilliant Folk Award nominees Ninebarrow commented “The Holywell Music Room is stunning! There is an intangible, magical quality to the space. So, when you take a city as vibrant as Oxford, a concert programme of world class folk and roots music, and a venue the calibre of the Holywell Music Room, you really have got a recipe for something rather special – and we can’t wait for you to experience it!"
The programme in this unique U-shaped auditorium kicked off in January with a very special one off one-man show with Teddy Thompson, the son of Richard and Linda Thompson, described by the New York Times as “one of the most gifted singer-songwriters of his generation.” Next came a sell out show from Oxford based Anglo-Cymraeg-Galego four-piece folk band Xogara, followed by an extraordinary performance from Russian born singer-songwriter Daria Kulesh.
For more information and a list of gigs lined up for this season, visit www.holywellmusicandfolk.co.uk
Holywell Music Room first opened its beautiful auditorium to the ears of the discerning music lover in 1748, and the room has hosted the best around for over 269 years now, from Handel to the Oxford Philharmonic.
Now, thanks to lifelong music fan Geoff Smith (pictured) - the driving force behind the exciting new live music venture Holywell Music & Folk - some of the best artists from the folk and singer-songwriter scene are now playing at this historic venue in the heart of Oxford.
Geoff has attracted some exciting support from Patron artists of this new venture, all of whom performed at the venue in 2018: “I was thrilled to be joining the 2018 line up at Holywell Music and Folk myself and bring real-life stories of inspirational and relatable people from the past including songs from my latest project No Petticoats Here” says Louise Jordan. Acclaimed Somerset singer-songwriter Reg Meuross is performed in July, “This is a fantastic initiative by Holywell Music & Folk and I'm proud to support it in every way I can."
Brilliant Folk Award nominees Ninebarrow commented “The Holywell Music Room is stunning! There is an intangible, magical quality to the space. So, when you take a city as vibrant as Oxford, a concert programme of world class folk and roots music, and a venue the calibre of the Holywell Music Room, you really have got a recipe for something rather special – and we can’t wait for you to experience it!"
The programme in this unique U-shaped auditorium kicked off in January with a very special one off one-man show with Teddy Thompson, the son of Richard and Linda Thompson, described by the New York Times as “one of the most gifted singer-songwriters of his generation.” Next came a sell out show from Oxford based Anglo-Cymraeg-Galego four-piece folk band Xogara, followed by an extraordinary performance from Russian born singer-songwriter Daria Kulesh.
For more information and a list of gigs lined up for this season, visit www.holywellmusicandfolk.co.uk
Full line up announced for Musicport Whitby 2018
Organisers are delighted to announce they have now completed the main line-up for the 19th Musicport Festival held in the beautiful seaside town of Whitby, North Yorkshire this October with its usual high quality and eclectic line-up.
The festival is all held in one indoor venue on 19th-21st October. Whitby Pavilion overlooks the North Sea with five stages and a comedy bus - and is widely regarded as a great way to end the festival season.
With indoor camping an option, a festival bazaar in the main hall and international food vans, it has the outdoor festival vibe but is protected from the elements. A whole host of activities are available to participate in all in such a safe, warm and family friendly atmosphere.
In addition to the main festival, Musicport will go on tour to the surrounding North Yorkshire villages on Monday through to Friday following the main event. This was a successful innovation in 2016 and makes staying around for a few days even more of an option for visitors as well as extending opportunities for audiences and performers.
Artists from all over the world form the nucleus of musical events. From the UK folk and acoustic scene there is Edwina Hayes, Blackbeard's Tea Party, John Smith, Leveret and O'Hooley & Tidow.
" I think this years line-up is one of the most exciting in our 19 years. To get three of the very top African acts to Whitby is a coup and throughout the programme I think the diversity and quality of what is on offer on all the different stages will make it an unforgettable weekend " said Jim McLaughlin Festival Director.
Recently added to the line-up are Tankus the Henge, Baka Beyond, Hamsa, Olcay Bayir and Natalie Duncan. They join Mokoomba, Vieux Farka Toure, Destyn Maloya and many others for what promises to be teh bet Musicport yet. For full line-up, tickets and more information, visit www.musicportfestival.com
The festival is all held in one indoor venue on 19th-21st October. Whitby Pavilion overlooks the North Sea with five stages and a comedy bus - and is widely regarded as a great way to end the festival season.
With indoor camping an option, a festival bazaar in the main hall and international food vans, it has the outdoor festival vibe but is protected from the elements. A whole host of activities are available to participate in all in such a safe, warm and family friendly atmosphere.
In addition to the main festival, Musicport will go on tour to the surrounding North Yorkshire villages on Monday through to Friday following the main event. This was a successful innovation in 2016 and makes staying around for a few days even more of an option for visitors as well as extending opportunities for audiences and performers.
Artists from all over the world form the nucleus of musical events. From the UK folk and acoustic scene there is Edwina Hayes, Blackbeard's Tea Party, John Smith, Leveret and O'Hooley & Tidow.
" I think this years line-up is one of the most exciting in our 19 years. To get three of the very top African acts to Whitby is a coup and throughout the programme I think the diversity and quality of what is on offer on all the different stages will make it an unforgettable weekend " said Jim McLaughlin Festival Director.
Recently added to the line-up are Tankus the Henge, Baka Beyond, Hamsa, Olcay Bayir and Natalie Duncan. They join Mokoomba, Vieux Farka Toure, Destyn Maloya and many others for what promises to be teh bet Musicport yet. For full line-up, tickets and more information, visit www.musicportfestival.com
