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Bristol’s month in folk and roots – November 2024
As I type, Christmas is 58 days away; yet it looks as though all of the gifts are coming early in November. There’s so many amazing folk and roots gigs right across the city, from the biggest folk band that there has ever been, to one of the coolest, experimental bands around; from traditional bands to one of the great folk guitarists.
November kicks off with Frankie Archer on Friday, playing as part of the Up Late series at the Cathedral on College Green. Playing in the shadow of Luke Jerram’s Gaia, Archer is joined by Hands of the Heron and Toby Hay & David Ian Roberts.
is needed now More than ever
Archer is the most exciting folk musician around at the moment, blending traditional songs with electronics and live sampling and looping. Having just supported Baroque-pop princesses The Last Dinner Party, this one is going to be a huge treat.
Continuing their Live at Lunchtime concerts, Downend welcomes Jackie Oates back to Christ Church on Saturday 2. Oates is one of the finest contemporary folk singers, songwriters and fiddle players in the country.
This show starts at 12:30 and will be done by 1:45. Kids are welcome and it is bound to be absolutely superb. The ‘normal’ Downend Folk & Roots show for November is on Friday, 15 and sees brilliant traditional trio, Granny’s Attic, supported by accordion virtuoso, Heather Ferrier.
BBC Young Folk Award-nominated Granny’s Attic performed at this year’s Greenbelt festival – photo: Neil Mackin
You know that it’s a good month when the Folk House is completely stacked with brilliant things to go and see.
Martin Simpson is, simply, one of the greatest guitarists of all time: nominated an astounding 32 times in the 18 years of the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards – more than any other performer – he has won numerous awards. He plays on Friday 1.
The following day, it’s Anglo/Irish quartet The Haar – a fantastic live band made unmissable thanks to the vocal talents of Molly Donnery.
To complete an amazing weekend of folk music, the captivating duo of Hannah Sanders & Ben Savage play on Sunday, 3. Normally it’s just the two of them but for this tour they have a full band with them. They are regulars in Bristol but this show is going to be very special indeed.
If you still have some energy left then the tribute to Swedish/American labour songwriter, Joe Hill, will be well worth a watch. Bristol based Holly Carter brings Hill’s songs to life on Wednesday 6.
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For something a little more roots-y, Sweden’s Baskery play on November 8. An alternative Americana trio featuring three sisters, they are a formidable live act.
Hannah Scott launches her fantastic album, Absence of Doubt, on Saturday 10. Already a massive favourite at Downend Folk & Roots, Scott is a brilliant singer-songwriter.
South West folk duo, Suthering, bring their chemistry and humour to the stage, championing female characters, creating new narratives for women and unearthing the female heroines of folk on Saturday 16.
To round off the month, two of the finest modern folk artists play just off Park Street in the last(ish) week of November: Kris Drever is a member of Lau and a contributor to the extraordinary Spell Songs project. He has written some of the best contemporary folk songs of modern times. He plays on Friday 22.
And the last time that Bella Hardy played in Bristol, Bristol 24/7 described her as “magnificent”. Almost nothing more needs to be said. She makes everything seem so effortless, has a stunning voice and this show is, quite simply, very much-anticipated. Hardy plays on Saturday 30.
Not to be outdone by the Folk House, the Beacon has a huge array of brilliance in November. Steve Knightley, from Show of Hands, is in the Lantern on November 6, and folk super-heroes, Bellowhead, play a sold-out show on Tuesday 12. They are supported by The Longest Johns so this is going to be an evening of serious bouncing, dancing and singing.
The soulful Beth Rowley takes the stage on Thursday 14: combining gospel with Americana and Blues, her voice is incredible. Support comes from the equally excellent Robert Vincent. Jason Isbell is, essentially, the king of alt-Americana and his 400 Unit plays on Friday 22.
Finally, for something a little more gentle, Erland Cooper is a Scottish composer and multi-instrumentalist who draws deeply from the wild landscapes of his Orkney home. Throughout his critically acclaimed catalogue, Cooper weaves field recordings, orchestral arrangements, and electronic textures into pieces that capture the essence of place, memory, and time. Excitingly, he is joined by Sam Lee and Alice Boyd on Friday 29.
Erland Cooper filmed his most recent music video ‘Carve the Runes’ at Stonehenge – photo: @alex_kozobolis
I’ve already mentioned two incredible gigs on Friday November 1. Strange Brew adds a third. John Francis Flynn was incredible when he played the Exchange last year so the return trip is likely to be just as good. Leaning, mainly, on the Irish tradition but with experimental flourishes and unconventional arrangements he is a formidable presence live.
Old Sea Brigade is an Atlanta-raised, Nashville-based crooner who combines folk and atmospherics-laced indie-Americana. He has supported His Golden Messenger in the past and plays on Tuesday 5.
Also mining the indie/Americana/Roots rock vein are The Felice Brothers. They play two shows on Saturday 9. The evening one has already sold out but the matinee still has a few tickets left. They are great. Go and see them.
To celebrate all that is bouncy and brilliant in Bristol, Sheelanagig and The Shmoozenbergs play on Thursday 21. A guaranteed good night out, both bands are so much fun live so, in a packed month, this is the one to go to.
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If Sheelanagig and The Shmoozenbergs are two of the best bands in Bristol, then Opa Rosa are not far behind. Launching their new album, Havasi Klub, on November 14 this will be a huge celebration of Balkan, Klezmer, Gypsy and Greek tunes. They make music for the heart and the feet, music that is uplifting, entirely freeing and heart racing.
On November 23 there is a lively Bal-Folk event – expect loads more dancing.
The Thekla has a wonderfully eclectic offering in November. Experimental folk band, Stick in the Wheel, celebrate the release of their latest album, A Thousand Pokes, on Sunday 3. They are brilliant live, challenging and muscular, reworking centuries old songs with incredible power.
Australian Folk singer, Kim Churchill, plays on November 7. And finally, one of the best live bands around, Skinny Lister, start their tour on Saturday 23. Wildly entertaining, loads of amazing songs and as much energy as you can possibly imagine, Skinny Lister are the sort of band that Bristol utterly loves.
Skinny Lister will be back to play in the UK fresh from a huge European tour supporting Frank Turner – photo: Skinny Lister
Nashville-based Australian singer-songwriter Sinead Burgess brings her debut headline tour to Bristol on November 13. Having supported The Shires and played a brilliant set at C2C she is a great new-country artist.
Nick Harper, son of Roy, plays on Saturday 23. He is touring in support of his 14th studio album, Earth Day Blue, which is full of Beatles-esque acoustic loveliness.
Other things in other places
Yet another high-energy, festival-favourite folk band, 3 Daft Monkeys are at The Exchange on Saturday 2. Brilliant singer-songwriter, Izzie Yardley, plays at The Fringe in Clifton the next day.
For something a little more traditional, masterful fiddle player Ryan Young is at the New Room on November 6. Irish folk trio Kingfisher play a sold out show at The Fleece on Monday 11. Bristol acapella duo Bowker & Morse, play the Autumn After Hours evening at the RWA on Thursday 7. As well as some lovely folk music, you’ll get to see some brilliant art too.
The much-loved 3 Daft Monkeys have been on the scene for many moons and cause just as much of a ruckus as they ever did – photo: Liz Williams Photography
Seamus Fogarty is an Irish alt-folk and electronica alchemist who has released two albums on Domino. He plays The Cube on Friday 8. Bruce Molsky, renowned for his traditional American roots music, will be at the Wardrobe on November 12. Amy Rigby brings her storytelling prowess to the Hen & Chicken on November 21.
Bristol Folk Club present their third session at Cafe Kino on Friday 22. Welsh avant-folkers, Craven, take their influences from punk, electronic dance and classical chamber music. On November 25, Pokey LaFarge brings his Americana/RockabillyCountry brilliance to Trinity. His show at The Fleece last year was a total highlight.
Rioghnach Connolly, singer with The Breath and Honeyfeet, plays The Mount Without on Wednesday 27. Her voice is amazing and her on-stage banter almost as good! Finally, on Saturday 30, bring the little ones to The Nest at Page Park, Staple Hill for Little Folk Music, ensuring a family-friendly end to the month.
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Main image: Pokey LaFarge
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