We're rounding off our series of online events for lockdown this Friday (17th July) with something slightly different, as we spend an hour or so AT Downend Folk Club. Well, sort of.
Each week since lockdown started, our founder and chairman Ant Miles has welcomed a series of guests for a chat and a handful of songs or tunes. It's been so well received, and we're so grateful for all the positive comments and feedback that you've given us. Thank you! But as we conclude the series, on the day that would have been our last concert before the Summer break, we're inviting you to spend an hour with us at our club here in North Bristol/South Gloucestershire. But virtually, of course!
We've filmed a few songs and tunes at most of our concerts since we started in 2014, and on Friday, Ant will be presenting a selection of the most memorable performances that we've witnessed at the club. We're not going to tell you which ones yet (you'll have to tune in to find out!), but if there's an artist or particular song or tune that you'd like to see featured, please drop us a message on social media or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Please note that we will not be able to include any requested on the night, so you must do this in advance, and we may not be able to include everything requested. We'd still love you to join in via the comments on Friday... if you're a regular at the club, you can share your memories; if you've discovered us during lockdown, we'd love to hear what you think of the performances or, indeed, of our club.
Like all the other online events we've brought you so far, this event will be free to attend. For each of the 15 events so far, we've run a tip-jar, and we've given 100% contents to our guests. We've raised an incredible £6000+ in total for those musicians during this time, and that's all down to you... so it's another thank you from us! There will still be a tip jar this week, and this time your donations will be going to Downend Folk Club. It's also been a time of struggle for venues, and these events haven't been free to put on, so this is your opportunity to make a donation as a thank you to the club. The link to the tip jar is below.
We'll be going live on our FACEBOOK page at 8.00pm on Friday, so please do join us.
The ability to write songs that are both modern and ancient is a rare thing. The product of an arcane art of weaving in traditional influences so thoroughly that they become the warp and weft of fresh creations. Our guests for the penultimate in our lockdown series of online events (Friday 10th July) are two such talents. THE BLACK FEATHERS, made up of Ray Hughes and Sian Chandler, first became aware of the magic between them while collaborating on several musical projects, becoming The Black Feathers and life partners in 2012.
Every Friday during lockdown, at 8.00pm on our FACEBOOK page, we're joined by a different guest for an hour or so. The focus of these events is very much on chat, although each guest will play a few live songs too. You'll are invited to ask questions in the comments, so it is very interactive... the more people watch and engage, the better it will be for everyone. The events are free, although there is a PayPal donations box, with 100 per cent of the donations going direct to the guest. You can find that at the bottom of the page. We'll be keeping these weekly events going until Friday 17th July, when we'll finish for the Summer with something slightly different! We'll let you know Autumn plans once the situation is a little clearer.
Americana, Folk, and Acoustic Indie Rock sensibilities coexist comfortably in THE BLACK FEATHERS' musical world, with Hughes’ guitar work buoying the kind of harmonies often only heard in family bands. Their music quickly draw the interest of listeners, but it is the stage chemistry that will keep them riveted. Having already built up a loyal following in the UK, The Black Feathers have been spreading their wings across the US. They have performed at Philadelphia Folk Festival and AmericanaFest, and have also been awarded official showcases at the North East Regional and Far-West Folk Alliance conferences. The duo first appeared at Downend Folk Club as far back as February 2015, when they opened for Maz O'Connor, before returning for a much-requested headline show in April 2017.
We'll be announcing details of next week's final show during this Friday's event, so do stay tuned until the very end, and get your questions ready in the meantime. You can submit questions in advance by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you'd rather. And make sure that you've "liked" our Facebook page for reminders. See you at 8.00pm on Friday.
It's astonishing to think that we're now looking forward to the FOURTEENTH episode (is that that right word?) of our series of online events during lockdown! This Friday (3rd July), we're joined for an hour or so by someone who was even quicker of the mark than us in offering lockdown entertainment... Downend Folk Club favourite CIARAN ALGAR.
Every Friday, at 8.00pm on our FACEBOOK page, we're be joined by a different guest for an hour or so. The focus of these events is very much on chat, although each guest will play a few live songs too. You'll are invited to ask questions in the comments, so it is very interactive... the more people watch and engage, the better it will be for everyone. The events are free, although there is a PayPal donations box, with 100 per cent of the donations going direct to the guest. You can find that at the bottom of the page. We'll be keeping these weekly events going until Friday 17th July, when we'll finish for the Summer with something slightly different! We'll let you know Autumn plans once the situation is a little clearer.
Ciaran Algar is a two-time BBC Radio 2 Folk Award winning multi-instrumentalist from Stoke-on-Trent. With roots in the Irish tradition, he has expanded his playing style to include influences from all corners of the UK and beyond, and is best known for his work with Greg Russell and Sam Kelly and the Lost Boys. He has performed twice at Downend Folk Club over the years with Greg, in August 2014 and again July 2017, the second time memorably on borrowed instruments after theirs were stolen... they got them back! During lockdown, Ciaran has produced more than 50 collaboration videos, as well as an online festival. He's been busy!
We'll be announcing next week's guest at the end of each episode, so do stay tuned until the very end, and get your questions ready in the meantime. You can submit questions in advance by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you'd rather. And make sure that you've "liked" our Facebook page for reminders. See you at 8.00pm on Friday.
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