Music / folk
Bristol’s month in Folk and Roots – April 2026
What a brilliant month April is for Folk and Roots in Bristol. It’s almost as though every major folk-ish talent is heading South West over the next few weeks so we are, quite frankly, utterly spoiled by all manner of wonders.
There are sea shanties, 70s folk-rock superstars, incredible singer-songwriters and homages to some of the greatest music ever made. And, if that wasn’t enough, there’s the finest indoor folk festival in the UK lurking right at the end.
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Sam Kelly has some serious fans. Cara Dillon reckons that he “has such a beautiful voice”, Kate Rusby thinks he’s “absolutely great”, Seth Lakeman says that he has “one of the best folk bands on the scene”. BBC Radio’s Mark Radcliffe calls the music he makes “amazing, thrilling”.
aWho are we to argue? What we know for sure is that the Sam Kelly Trio are at Christ Church in Downend On Friday 1. His trio is made up of Archie Churchill-Moss and Jamie Francis and they are going to be fantastic. Even better is that the support comes from local singer-songwriter Lou Shepherd.
Folk legend Martin Carthy is being honoured by his daughter Eliza in a national tour that stops off at the Beacon this month – photo: Eliza Carthy
There are some mighty folk heavyweights at the Beacon this month. Stalwart folk-rockers Gigspanner Big Band kick off a stacked month on Friday April 3. Spearheaded by ex-Steeleye Span fiddle master Peter Knight, their sound is a massive, soaring collision of traditional tunes and dizzying improvisations.
The very next night, on Saturday 4, there’s something incredibly special. Following the unexpected announcement that Martin Carthy is to retire from touring, his daughter, the undisputed Queen of the Whirl Eliza Carthy, has drawn together an incredible set of musicians to honour her father’s legacy. Nick Hart, Jon Wilks, Graham Coxon, Tim Van-Eyken, Tim Eriksen and more will join Eliza in the highlight of the month.
On Thursday 9, the buoyantly rowdy Cornwall collective Fisherman’s Friends will fill the hall with their booming, full-throated sea shanties.
Finally, on Wednesday 20, Irish folk royalty the Fureys bring over 40 years of classic, emotive ballad-making to the city.
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The Folk House, of course, will never let you down as far as interesting folky things go. It starts on Saturday, April 4 with the lush, melodic alt-folk of Welsh singer-songwriter Ivan Moult. His new album, Stood Out in the Storm, is full of 60s/70s inspired folk-Blues.
On April 10 the phenomenal Holly Clarke returns to Bristol, bringing her powerful voice and storytelling with her, promoting her acclaimed new album of heavy traditional ballads.
On Sunday April 12, the master instrumental duo of Nick Hart & Tom Moore will showcase their incredibly intricate fiddle and tenor guitar interplay.
Singer-songwriter and button accordion wizard Luke Daniels stops by on Wednesday 15 with some beautifully arranged contemporary folk, followed swiftly by the chaotic fun of the Kelbilly Stomp Skiffle Revue on Thursday 16 – expect stomp boxes, ukuleles, and the odd kazoo too.
Get your dancing shoes on for a traditional Ceilidh featuring Crowdy-Kit on Friday 17. The voice of India Electric Co., Cole Stacey brings his cinematic, poetic folk-pop to the room on Sunday 19, and for something completely different don’t miss Joose Keskitalo: Outsider Folk from Finland on Thursday 23, which promises an evening of beautifully bizarre, experimental Nordic sounds.
The month wraps up here on Sunday 26 with the gorgeous, dark, and bewitching folk-pop of New Zealand’s Nadia Reid, complete with a string section.
Katherine Priddy has been on a tour of 15 record stores to launch her new album – photo: Ian Hanham
Not to be out-done by their Park Street cousins, there’s some brilliant stuff over the road at St George’s too.
Katherine Priddy is, finally, getting the attention that she deserves thanks to her latest album, These Frightening Machines. Her voice is simply staggering and her song-writing is as good as anyone at the moment. She brings all of that loveliness back to Bristol on Wednesday 22.
The next night, Thursday 23, legendary 1970s folk-rockers Lindisfarne will be rolling back the years with their classic feel-good North East anthems.
Then, on Wednesday 29, the 7-piece all-star band Hejiera will perform their stunning, jazz-infused celebration of the music of Joni Mitchell. They concentrate on the classic 70s period – The Hissing of the Summer Lawns, Mingus, Hejiera etc – so expect loads of passion and jaw-dropping beauty.
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In amongst all of the wonderfully eclectic World-ish things that happen in Bristol’s best little venue, the Jam Jar manage to pack in a couple of folky things too.
Mikey Kenney is a “singular and inspiring talent” (thank you fRoots) who plays fiddle, banjo, mandolin and about a thousand other things. This magical, Liverpool-Irish traditional musician plays under the Jam Jar lights on Thursday 9.
As if that wasn’t enough, he’s supported by Aellin which makes it a total highlight of the month.
Later in the month, on Tuesday 21, there is a truly special double bill featuring Danish indie-folk artist Ida Wenøe alongside the atmospheric, banjo-driven songs of Samantha Whates. Both are celebrating the release of a stunning new collaborative album.
Over in Easton on Wednesday 15, European trad music lovers are in for a treat. Flemish diatonic accordionist Hartwin Dhoore joins forces with Scottish fiddle player Ross Grant to create a dreamy, interlocking tapestry of contemporary European folk tunes.
St Anne’s (Greenbank Folk Club)
Lady Maisery return to Bristol – photo: Gavin McNamara
The vocal powerhouse that is Lady Maisery visits Easton on Saturday 18. Comprising Hazel Askew, Hannah James and Rowan Rheingans, they are famous for their intricate three-part harmonies and daring, politically conscious re-workings of traditional songs.
They love Bristol (and Bristol loves them) so it’s always a treat whenever they are in this bit of the world.
If you like your folk a little more fast-paced and boozy, head over to the Exchange on Friday 3 for the Swamp Stomp String Band. This is high-octane, banjo-driven Americana and Bluegrass that is practically guaranteed to get the room bouncing.
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From dark, smoky alt-folk to bright uplifting indie, Old Moll takes over the Croft on Monday 4. Expect snatches of folklore from Dartmoor and things gloriously lo-fi. Support comes from Bristol’s new soft-psych folk-pop quintet Claudine, and Nile Robinson from just across the road in St Paul’s.
Willi Carlisle says his latest album Winged Victory is a collection of weird songs that is ‘probably the most coherent thing I’ve ever made’ – photo: @georgemichaelslovechild
Wrapping up the month on Saturday 25, the magnificent American artist Willi Carlisle brings his folk-poet sensibilities to Strange Brew. Armed with a banjo, accordion, and a voice full of raw emotion, his style of hard-core narrative Americana is utterly compelling.
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Starting the month with some singing, on Wednesday April 1 the legendary American singer and musicologist Tim Eriksen leads a singing school at Centrespace in collaboration with Bristol Sacred Harp.
The Sacred Harp singing sessions are always free, with no need for rehearsals or choirmasters, but feature a glorious four-part singing tradition. Eriksen is in the UK as part of the Martin Carthy celebratory tour and has been singing Sacred Harp for decades. This is going to be joyful.
On Thursday April 2, Old Market’s favourite cosy hangout hosts a double bill of rising alt-folk talent.
Jon Fazal crafts nostalgic baroque-pop, with a hint of the Kinks and Elliot Smith, while Anna Anise brings her warm, community-focused, Cornish traditional folk storytelling. Fazal’s new album, Insomniac’s Ball, is fantastic and Anise is due to release her debut soon.
A Little Heads Up: Bristol Folk Festival
Looking just slightly down the road, clear your diaries for the May bank holiday weekend (Friday 1 to Sunday 3) as the triumphant Bristol Folk Festival returns to take over the city.
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It is always the absolute highlight of Bristol’s folk calendar, and this year’s lineup is looking spectacularly good. Major headliners include the mesmerizing sibling harmonies of the Staves, the glorious, orchestral dark-folk of the Unthanks and the wildly charismatic fiddle-playing of Sam Sweeney.
Look out, too, for Ellie Gowers, Malin Lewis, Ye Vagabonds and Shovel Dance Collective. It is going to be another brilliant weekend!
Main image: Willi Carlisle
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