Music / folk
Bristol’s month in Folk & Roots – February 2025
As ever, Imbolc falls on February 1 this year. A celebration often linked to the Celtic goddess Brigid, it is a time for clearing away the old, making space for the new and hoping for brighter days ahead.
February in Bristol feels similar, especially the “hoping for brighter days” bit. So many of the Folk & Roots gigs around the city are so full of brightness and joy.
is needed now More than ever
There’s a very real possibility that I’m biased, but one of the finest folk musicians in the country is back at Downend on February 21.
Sam Sweeney is one of the fiddle players in Bellowhead, plays in Leveret and has just contributed to the brilliant Boss Morris album. He brings a virtuosic fiddle playing and deeply rooted knowledge of English folk music.
His latest album, Escape That, showcases his mastery of the tradition while pushing boundaries with innovative arrangements. He is joined by Louis Campbell and supported by fantastic local singer-songwriter Lou Shepherd.
One of the most celebrated duos in English folk, Spiers & Boden will be performing in the Lantern Hall on February 6, bringing their unique blend of traditional tunes and lively energy – they’ve been away for a little while so it’s lovely to have them back.
Both Bellowhead alumni, they never let you down. Their latest album, Fallow Ground, continues their exploration of the British folk landscape with both reverence and rebellious spirit.
Back in the Main Hall on February 9, The John Martyn Project will pay tribute to the late, great singer-songwriter with a night of his genre-defying work. Their debut album, Volume One, is out soon and is a loving homage to the man who changed the face of folk music.
Expect to see a few familiar faces – Kit Hawes, John Blakeley and Jon Short (of Sheelanagig) – as well as Blythe Pepino, Pete Josef (Roni Size, Kelis) and Sam Brookes.
Miranda Sykes is embarking on a spring tour with Jim Causley – photo: Natalie Shaw
McGoldrick, McCusker & Doyle return on Thursday, February 20, bringing a night of incredible instrumental folk. They are described as being masters of flute, fiddle, song and guitar and are, variously, members of Flook, The Battlefield Band and Solas (amongst loads of others). All three are brilliant musicians.
And rounding off the month, Miranda Sykes & Jim Causley take the stage on February 26. The Last of the Singers is a collection of traditional, self-penned and contemporary songs, showcasing the duo’s ethereal voices with their double bass and accordion instrumental talents.
The Breath played in the Cathedral for Bristol Folk Festival last year – photo: Paul Blakemore
Seth Lakeman, one of the most important names in modern folk, brings his bold and emotive sound to St George’s on Wednesday 19. Celebrating twenty years of the groundbreaking Mercury-nominated album Kitty Jay, this is bound to be a joyous, foot stomping evening of fabulous fiddle playing and brilliant songs.
The following week, The Breath grace the venue on February 22. Known for their stunning blend of folk and soul, The Breath’s latest work, Land of my Other, seamlessly fuses ethereal soundscapes with heartfelt lyrics: it’s a place of memories and melodies.
The last time they were in Bristol, Rìoghnach Connolly (singer/flautist) and Stuart McCallum (guitar) were awesome in the cathedral for the Bristol Folk Festival.
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On February 12 Lili-Rose Womack, an emerging musician and filmmaker based in Bristol, plays on Park Street. Taking her influences from the likes of Laura Marling and Joni Mitchell, expect nostalgia and poetry.
If you’re looking for something a little different, don’t miss the Feet in the Water exhibition, celebrating the deep connection between the land, water, and the music of the folk tradition. It runs throughout February.
On Friday 7 the olllam, an exciting collaboration of Irish and American musicians, will perform a fusion of traditional folk with jazz and experimental sounds. Their latest album, Ellegy, is a fascinating journey through complex rhythms and rich melodies.
Corey Kent, a rising star in the Americana and roots scene, will be at Trinity two days later (Sunday 9). His album Black Bandana blends country, blues, and soul in a raw and emotive display of modern folk storytelling. He draws on The Eagles, Keith Richards and a true rock ‘n’ roll spirit.
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Shovel Dance Collective are a fiery folk force, blending energetic traditional songs with experimental instrumentation. They’ll be at Strange Brew on Sunday 16, promoting their latest release The Shovel Dance, a bold exploration of folk with a modern edge.
Shovel Dance Collective are absolutely everything that makes modern folk music interesting – they understand the tradition but constantly reinvent and reshape, they are free-flowing and fiercely political. They are amazing.
Finally, don’t miss Fionn Regan at the end of the month (Friday 28). With a reputation for poetic lyrics and melancholic folk, his latest album O Avalanche is a captivating listen, and one that exudes optimism and positivity – exactly what we need in February. This gig has already sold out. .
Possibly the most exciting gig of the month is Eleven Magpies at the New Room on February 27. This one was re-scheduled from the end of last year but us going to be well worth the wait.
They are led by Bristol-based composer, multi-instrumentalist and music director Ian Ross (Wise Children, Kneehigh), and features Alex Vann (Spiro, Three Cane Whale), Elizabeth Westcott (Yesterday’s Camel) and James Gow (Jow).
If that lot aren’t enough to get you excited then there’s no hope. The music that they play is glorious, and will sound incredible in this lovely space.
A winter dance takes place upstairs at the Greenbank pub at the beginning of February – photo: Greenbank Ceilidh Collective
The Garden Folk Sessions return on Tuesday 4 and 18, offering intimate folk performances in a relaxed atmosphere, all in the capable hands of Alex Garden. This is followed by the Greenbank Ceilidh Collective on Saturday 8, promising a lively and energetic evening of dancing and folk tunes.
To celebrate Valentine’s Day (Friday 14), George Sansome and Sophie Crawford get together as Queer Folk to ask the simple question “LGBTQIA+ people have always existed so where are they in our folk music, songs, stories and dance?”. They seek to highlight the histories and narratives often buried in the archives.
On February 5, the Jack Warnock Trio will bring their blend of folk, jazz, and contemporary influences to the stage. Their latest release, Voyages, explores a world of emotional and musical discovery, blending intricate instrumentation with delicate melodies.
Main image: The John Martyn Project
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