News / Bristol Folk Festival
Bristol Folk Festival’s ‘magical’ opening concert features UK exclusive
This year’s edition of Bristol Folk Festival is set to open in style with a duo known for their powerful vocal performances taking over a venue made for voices.
The Staves, sisters Camilla and Jessica Staveley-Taylor, are UK charting artists with five albums under their belt who regularly collaborate with Bon Iver.
Their lyrical brand of alt-folk includes elements of pop, indie and Americana, brought to life by the duo’s luminous harmonies to create expansive sonic landscapes that resonate with emotion.
Their May Day appearance in Bristol is so far the only announced show of the year for the pair, formerly a trio before third sister Emily left the band following the birth of her daughter.
Bristol Cathedral will provide a stunning backdrop for the show, with support coming from a local folk choir.
“This is a rare chance to experience the Staves in a setting made for voices,” said the festival’s director Dr Anna Rutherford. “We’re partnering this pin-drop gorgeous act with one of the city’s own gems in Heartwood Chorus.”
The choir, which has been called “one of the finest in the UK”, sings original arrangements of traditional folk songs and ‘future classics’ picked from the contemporary scene as well as, they say, “songs our grannies taught us”.
It will another opportunity to see Heartwood Chorus, the city’s leading folk choir, bring their arrangements of folk classics old and new to the Cathedral – photo: Paul Blakemore
Their appearance on the programme is symbolic of the festival’s ethos of showcasing local acts of calibre alongside internationally renowned contemporary folk artists.
As always, the weekend’s concerts will be complemented by a programme of Bristol-based folk dance troupes, singing groups and sessions taking over the city’s venues, pubs and late night spots.
Bristol Folk Festival takes place May 1-3. The Staves and Heartwood Chorus open the weekend at Bristol Cathedral on May 1. For more information visit bristolfolkfestival.org/the-staves
Main image: Harvey Pearson
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