Music / gig listings
Bristol’s month in Folk & Roots – March 2026
What more could any good folky need than a few daffodils poking through the soil, St Patrick’s Day on the horizon and Mother’s Day as an excuse for a celebration?
Just loads and loads of great Folk and Roots music, that’s what. Fortunately Bristol does what Bristol does and delivers so much good stuff.
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Just a few days after St Patrick’s Day Downend has its own Irish celebration, following a couple of months of American-tinged folk.
On Friday 20, the brilliant trio Sherburn Bartley Sanders bring their traditional mastery to the Christ Church venue. Chris Sherburn, Denny Bartley and Emily Sanders are, according to Ant Miles (of Downend Folk and Roots), “a joy to watch. This is what music is meant to be about”.
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The month kicks off on Sunday 1 with Common Ground, a four piece Americana band from Bristol featuring Felix Churchill-Moss (mandolin, fiddle, guitars, vox), Joe Hampson (guitars, vox), Mikey Moast (guitars, vox) & Arthur Sawyer (banjo, bouzouki, vox).
They are set to release their debut record later this year which is bound to perfectly capture their expansive, atmospheric sound.
On Thursday 5, Northumbrian piping legend Kathryn Tickell returns with her band the Darkening; they’ve been touring hard behind their latest material, bringing a rugged, ancient energy to the Park Street hill.
For something more delicate, Lucy Rose arrives on Friday 6, touring her stunning fifth album, This Ain’t The Way You Go Out, a record that finds her at her most vulnerable and technically accomplished. She is supported by the magnificent Margaret Glapsey and, unsurprisingly, this show is already sold out.
Finally, for those craving a true taste of the Emerald Isle, the “First Lady of Celtic Music” Cara Dillon graces the stage on Wednesday 25. She’s touring Coming Home, a beautiful marriage of poetry and song inspired by her native Co. Derry.
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Bristol’s favourite hideaway is leaning heavily into the ‘Roots’ side of things this month. The Wanton String Band bring their high-octane bluegrass on Saturday 7, followed by the sea-shanty mastery of Sean Dagher on Tuesday 10.
Things get properly festive on Friday 13 for the Spring Ceilidh featuring local favourites Bearpit, who have been dropping hints of new material following their recent single Echoes.
The party continues the following day (Saturday 14) with the Balkan-infused chaos of Mr Tea & the Minions in a co-header with Crinkle Cuts (for those that like a side of funk with their folk) before the Poor Old Dogs take the stage on St Patrick’s Day itself (Tuesday 17). Expect foot-stomping rhythms and perhaps a pint or two of the black stuff.
Park Street’s folk hub has a busy calendar, starting with Olive Grinter & Joe Shrimpling on Monday 2.
The virtuoso duo Hannah James & Toby Kuhn arrive on Sunday 15, showcasing their intricate accordion and cello dialogues from their latest collaborative projects. It’s Mother’s Day, so take your mum – she’ll love it.
On Monday 16, the Woolverstones bring their tight harmonies to the room, followed on Wednesday 18 by Scottish songstress Emma Miller, who is currently celebrating the release of her debut album I Want to Be the Anchor.
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On Monday 23 the venue hosts its monthly Irish Music Session, the perfect post-Paddy’s Day comedown.
The month closes with the vital, wonder-filled Americana of Dana Robinson on the Saturday 28, touring his brand-new solo album The Sound of the Word, and the harmony-drenched Roswell Road on Sunday 29 (think First Aid Kit, Indigo Girls etc.)
Two massive voices anchor the Beacon’s month. On Sunday 1, country-soul powerhouse Kezia Gill brings her All On Red tour to the hall, showcasing songs from her highly anticipated Nashville-recorded album.
Later, on Saturday 28, Blues legend Eric Bibb returns. He’s touring his most ambitious work yet, the brand-new album One Mississippi, which delves deep into the roots of the Delta with his signature warmth and grace.
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On Wednesday 25, the stunning acoustics of this converted church will play host to Daoirí Farrell. Widely considered one of the most important voices in Irish folk today, Daoirí will be performing tracks from his landmark album The Wedding Above in Glencree.
His uilleann pipe playing and powerful tenor are a perfect match for this atmospheric space.
For those who like their folk with a bit of grit, the Louisiana hosts the Deadlians on Saturday 14 – expect a wild, Dublin-inflected night of ‘psychedelic folk’ just ahead of the big day.
Over on the Thekla, Madra Salach bring their raw, Irish-pressed sounds to the ship on Tuesday 24, touring their punchy new EP It’s A Hell Of An Age. This show was originally due to be at the Louis but has been moved.
Beans on Toast returns to the Fleece on Thursday 12 with a full band in tow. He’s touring Kill Them with Kindness, an album that balances his usual socio-political bite with a healthy dose of optimism.
He is supported by Ruth Lyon, formerly of Holy Moly & the Crackers. What a brilliant line up that is!
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Over at Rough Trade on Friday 20, Irish legend Damien Dempsey will be performing songs from his soul-stirring new record Hold Your Joy, his first collection of new material in several years.
Other things and other places
The Rowan Leslie Trio bring their Rad Trad tour to the Hen & Chicken on Monday 2.
The Greenbank Folk Club presents Kate Young at St Anne’s, Easton on Saturday 7. She brings her unique “biopedagogical” folk, supporting her new album Umbelliferæ.
At the Greenbank, proper, Merle Harbron & Sam Baxter showcase their fiddle and drone explorations on Thursday 12, weaving together Scottish and English traditions.
Venezuelan born, London-based rising star Josi Costi performs at Cafe Kino on Tuesday 17, celebrating the release of his recent album, Joya.
Elles Bailey at her last Electric (then SWX) gig – photo: Rob Blackham
Local favourite and UK Americana superstar, Elles Bailey brings her smoky vocals and new tracks from Can’t Take My Story Away to Electric on Saturday 21.
The ethereal Joan Shelley visits Strange Brew on Friday 27, touring her latest release Real Warmth.
Angeline Morrison visits the Wardrobe Theatre on Tuesday 31, continuing to enchant audiences with the haunting narratives of The Sorrow Songs. She was recently described by Mojo as one of the “voices taking folk into the future”.
Finally, Sam Grassie, who is part of the brilliant Broadside Hacks family, brings his intricate fingerstyle guitar and new compositions to the Exchange on Tuesday 31.
Main image: Hannah James and Toby Kuhn
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