DOWNEND FOLK & ROOTS PREVIEW:
RACHAEL McSHANE & THE CARTOGRAPHERS + JOHNNY CAMPBELL
FRIDAY 18 OCTOBER 2024
It is perhaps a marker of the quality of artists Downend Folk & Roots has a reputation for programming, that a visit from a member of folk supergroup Bellowhead comes as no real surprise.
Rachael McShane is a renowned folk singer, cellist, fiddle and viola player from the North East of England. She gained fame as an original member of Bellowhead, touring with them extensively and making a number of television appearances. The band recorded five studio albums and, together, they won a staggering total of eight BBC Folk Awards. Parting ways in 2016, the band returned in 2022 for a series of ecstatically-received performances that reminded audiences of their unique alchemy, energy and talent.
Away from her Bellowhead fame, Rachael is a much sought-after performer and recording artist. Her debut solo album No Man’s Fool arrived in 2009 via Navigator Records, establishing impressive credentials that eventually led her to signing with the prestigious Topic Records, the oldest independent record label in the world. She also is the leader of The Cartographers, a band that features the exceptional talents of guitarist Ian Stephenson (Kan, Baltic Crossing), and melodeon player Julian Sutton (Kathryn Tickell, Sting). Their music is a powerful blend of traditional folk and contemporary sounds, with Rachael’s stunning voice and instrumental skills leading the line. The Cartographers have garnered a loyal following thanks to their impressive live performances and critically acclaimed debut album, When All Is Still (2018, Topic Records).
Opening the evening will be Johnny Campbell, who emerged onto the UK folk scene writing self-penned material and delving deep into Northern English folk song and story.
The album From Hull & Halifax & Hell (2020) took him to The Faroe Islands where he recorded a live album on the island of Nolsoy. Since musical instruments hadn’t arrived on the islands until the 19th century, this is perhaps the first time Northern English traditional song has been recorded on these islands.
Since March 2020, Johnny hasn’t relented, releasing three singles; Hard Times of Old England, Winter Hill Trespass & A Right to Roam. 2024 sees Johnny releasing True North, an album of Northern English traditional songs recorded on their respective county summits.
Tickets for the concert, which takes place at Christ Church Downend on Friday 18 October, are available online from downendfolkandroots.com and from Melanie’s Kitchen in Downend (cash only). They are priced at £15 each in advance or £17 on the door. Doors open at 7.00pm and the music starts around 7.45pm.
The concert will also be live-streamed in partnership with Live to your Living Room, so if you can’t get to Downend, you can watch from the comfort of your own home. Further information and tickets for the live-stream are available from livetoyourlivingroom.com.
There will be a bar, stocking cider, soft drinks, wine, hot drinks and real ale from locally-based Hop Union Brewery. Audience members are encouraged to bring their own glass/ mug/tankard, as well as reusable bottles for water, as part of the drive to be more environmentally aware; there is a 50p discount for those that do. There will also be sweet treats available at the bar courtesy of Radstock-based The Great Cake Company, as well as a prize draw, which helps to fund the support artists for each concert.
For further information, please email info@downendfolkandroots.com, visit downendfolkandroots.com or find them on social media.