Music / Folk & Roots
Bristol’s month in folk & roots – February 2024
Now that 2024 is up and running there’s plenty of love in February. There are incredible singer-songwriters, gorgeous instrumentalists and everyone’s favourite Irish doom-folkers. Something for everyone really.
Sykesmartin are a fantastic duo, made up of Miranda Sykes (Show of Hands) and Hannah Martin (Edgelarks, Gigspanner Band etc.). They bring their wonderful harmony singing to Christ Church on February 1.
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They are both incredible musicians, singers of traditional songs with a contemporary twist and wonderful storytellers. This will be another superb gig in Downend’s tenth anniversary year. Support is from Holly Clarke.
The highlight of the month is bound to be Lankum at the Beacon on February 1. They seem to be the Folk band that everyone likes right now and, to experience them live, it’s not hard to see why.
A powerful and intense live proposition, they take traditional forms, smother them in drones and huge sheets of noise.
Their last album, False Lankum, has had praise heaped upon it, having been made Album of the Year in 2023 almost everywhere. The show’s sold out though.
February 3 sees the biggest Bristol show for This Is The Kit. Kate Stables and her fantastic band make some of the most interesting, multi-layered and original music in the Folk world. Support comes from Gina Birch for the legendary Raincoats.
The Transatlantic Sessions are back in Bristol on February 8. This celebration of the musical traditions of Ireland, Scotland and the US is never one to miss and, this year, the Sessions feature Carlene Carter, Lindsay Lou, Kim Carnie and Allison De Groot & Tatiana Hargreaves.
Catrin Finch and Aiofe Ni Bhriain play St George’s on February 15. Finch is a Welsh harpist, Ni Bhriain an Irish violinist, both are virtuoso players and their latest album, Double You, flits from traditional folk to improvised classic styles. The combination of the two will be heart-stopping.
The Seth Lakeman show on February 21 has already sold out. Lakeman is an extraordinary live force and he is celebrating the 20th anniversary of his Mercury Prize nominated album, Kitty Jay.
Ryan Young is a traditional Scottish fiddle player and plays St George’s on February 22. He has been nominated, twice, for the BBC Young Folk Musician of the Year and his new album, Just a Second, is quite brilliant.
Julie Abbe is a Bristol-based folk and jazz singer and her show on February 24 celebrates the forthcoming release of her second album, Out of the Ashes.
There is an amazing double-header of exciting, experimental folk on February 21. Brighde Chaimbeul is a sensational Small Pipes player who takes the traditional instrument and creates something altogether new. Her playing is likely to appeal to those that love trad instruments and intense drone too.
Cerys Hafana is a triple harpist who uses electronics to mash and mangle the tradition. Jude Rogers, of The Guardian, made her recent album “Folk Album of the Month”.
For anyone that misses the Lankum gig, this might be the next best thing.
Martha Tilston has an absolutely gorgeous voice and writes wonderful songs. She has recently released the very well received film – and accompanying soundtrack – The Tape. She plays at the magical Jam Jar on February 29.
Cuculi Records presents Jaz Delorean supported by Beth Roberts on February 15. Delorean is the vocalist/piano player/manic circus ringmaster of the mighty Tankus the Henge. For this solo show it’ll just be him, a piano and a stack of great songs.
There’ll be New Orleans tinged jazz and blues mixed with a tiny bit of London carnival madness. Roberts can usually be found in Hands of the Heron and Hedera but she’s a captivating solo performer so expect heartfelt folkish-ness.
Scotland’s chamber-folk quartet, RANT, play at the Wesleyan Chapel in Broadmead on February 15. They celebrate a decade of making the most beautiful music and use their fiddles to weave a tapestry of melodies, textures, layers, and sounds.
Expect a set that plucks the finest tunes from across their catalogue, including tracks from the latest album, Spin.
Brilliant singer-songwriter, Hannah Scott, plays the Indigo Network event at The Architect on February 22. She recently played at St George’s, as part of the Rising Folk series, and sings songs that have a wonderfully radio-friendly feel to them.
Skimming Stones from her recent Ancient Lights EP is especially good – the sort of song that could easily connect with everyone.
Katherine Priddy plays a live and signing at Rough Trade on February 19 to celebrate the release of The Pendulum Swing, her latest album.
With influences from Nick Drake and John Martyn to Tuung and Imagined Village, this is bound to be a brilliant early evening gig. She plays a “proper” show at Strange Brew on May 1.
Main photo: Martin Siddorn
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