Music / folk
Bristol’s month in Folk & Roots – August 2025
It’s always a bit of a surprise when Bristol goes to sleep in August. Most of the bigger venues take a well earned break and bands seem to be tied up with festival appearances.
That said, there’s still plenty of interesting things around and, maybe, some of the smaller things have a bit more of a chance for our attention.
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On Wednesday August 13, Daisy Rickman returns to Strange Brew. Her brand of Cornish psych/dream folk is pretty irresistible and anyone who loves the likes of Karen Dalton or has any interest in the new folk revolution, as spearheaded by the likes of Broadside Hacks and the Shovel Dance Collective, is going to love this too. It’s going to be the highlight of the month.
Talking of Broadside Hacks, one of their associated bands, the New Eves, do a live & signing at Rough Trade on Saturday 2. It celebrates the release of the Brighton-based quartet’s debut album, The New Eve is Rising, which is already getting great reviews – it’s a seriously exciting mix of Folk, Punk and 60s Garage.
They’re back in Bristol on September 22 supporting Black Country, New Road and then on October 3 at the New England for their own headline show. A very buzzy band, right now.
The Cube have something pretty special on Wednesday 20 when late 60s/early 70s folk legend Bridget St John visits everyone’s favourite arts cinema.
Best known for a string of classic albums on John Peel’s Dandelion label, she is a chamber-folk superstar. Her latest EP, Covering My Brothers, features versions of songs by Nick Drake, John Martyn and Kevin Ayers and is absolutely stunning. Support comes from Eva May and Henry Ayling. What a gig!
Catch Cass McCombs on tour ahead of the release of his new album – photo: Gil Matus
Over the past two decades Cass McCombs has ploughed his own furrow, writing amazing songs that tread the line between folk and Americana. On Tuesday 19 he brings those songs to the Lantern. New album, Interior Live Oak, is out on Domino soon.
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As ever, there are loads of interesting looking things at the bottom end of Old Market. A Passing of Ghosts are a local alt-folk band who will be supported by Niecenephew and Rachel’s Last Dance on Thursday 7.
Indie Folk singer-songwriter Charlie Barnes also plays in the newly refurbished Exchange basement on Monday 11.
Australian Country star Fanny Lumsden stops in on Bristol on her way to the Beautiful Days and Greenbelt festivals on Thursday 14. She’s described as “kick-arse alt-country with a whole lot of heart” and has won countless awards in Australia. She’s supported by the utterly brilliant Morganway.
Lastly, West Country folk-rockers the Leylines celebrate the release of their third album, Phosphenes, on Friday 29. They are always so fantastic live.
Bristol’s Taynee Lord has been making waves locally – photo: Taynee Lord
For alt-country that is a bit closer to home, Bristol-based Taynee Lord plays The Golden Lion on Gloucester Road on Saturday 16. Her latest single, T-Shirt, was Number 1 on the iTunes UK Country Music charts and is a helluva tune. Tickets are only a fiver too, so it’s a bargain of a night out.
The Louisiana go full-on for wonderful, female singer-songwriters in August. Sylvie Grey plays on Thursday 7. She’s influenced by the likes of Vashti Bunyan, Joanna Newsom and Beth Gibbons and those are only very good indeed.
Josie Blakelock plays on Friday 22 and she has a love of romantic storytelling in the Kate Bush/Laura Marling mould.
A taste of Nashville aboard Bristol’s most loved boat venue – photo: Maggie Baugh
Renowned Nashville singer-songwriter Maggie Baugh visits the boat on Sunday August 10. As part of Keith Urban’s band, she’s played everywhere there is to play and done everything there is to do – Country-wise, at least.
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A new acoustic showcase and open mic starts at the Undershed (below the Watershed) on Friday August 1. Called The Long Way Down, it’s a free night centred around story-telling and songwriting. They promise a relaxed, welcoming vibe with no microphones but plenty of opportunity to tell stories and chat about writing songs.
Join Heartwood Chorus for a singing workshop in Totterdown – photo: Natalia Suvorova
A monthly round-up thing wouldn’t be complete without a mention of the amazing Heartwood Chorus. This month Neil Johnson leads a singing workshop in Totterdown on Saturday 2. It starts at 10 in the morning and finishes at 2pm. They are, of course, “the finest Folk Choir in the country”.
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While Barleycorn at the Wardrobe Theatre might not, exactly, be Folk music it is, at least, Folk adjacent. It’s a new musical comedy inspired by English lore, folk horror and ‘wyrd’ 1970s telly, featuring traditional and original music and dance. It runs from Tuesday August 5 to Saturday 9.
Main image: Gil Matus
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