CARA DILLON (WITH SAM LAKEMAN) + HERON ISLAND
FRIDAY 20 JUNE 2025
To have an artist of Cara Dillon’s stature perform in this corner of South Gloucestershire goes to show how well-thought of Downend Folk & Roots become in the ten years that they’ve existed, and it’s no surprise that this concert is already down to the last few tickets.
Cara is an extraordinary, multiple award-winning Irish folk singer, and she’ll be joined on-stage by acclaimed musician and producer Sam Lakeman. Throughout an enviable career which has seen them explore opportunities to tread many different paths – from releasing folk crossover albums on indie label Rough Trade; recording on Disney soundtracks to collaborations with orchestras and even leading dance DJs – Cara has continuously chosen to firmly plant herself within the landscape of her Irish cultural heritage and that’s something to celebrate.
Their enduring partnership has ensured they have remained at the very pinnacle of the folk genre for well over two decades and this performance will feature a selection of acoustic songs from previous releases and may also include material from her highly anticipated 2024 release, Coming Home, her first in over six years. Within it Cara effortlessly blurs the lines between spoken word and song to stunning effect, exploring profoundly personal memories, her native Co. Derry and the people, places and customs she holds closest to her heart; revealing a newly found freedom to express herself within the tiniest of details and life’s larger mysteries. Join Cara and Sam for an intimate evening full of exceptional music and the genuine warmth they bring to the stage.
Supporting Cara & Sam will be Heron Island, a duo that sparked into existence on a narrow boat trip on the River Avon in the summer of 2023 to write, record and gig songs which drew on their shared experiences of childhood in the south Devon countryside and their love for honest music built around the guitar.
Tickets for the concert, which takes place at Christ Church Downend on Friday 20 June 2025, are available online from downendfolkandroots.com and from Melanie’s Kitchen (cash only). This one’s a little more expensive at £20 in advance or £22 on the door, but it will be worth every penny and then some, and it is almost sold out at the time of writing. Doors open at 7.00pm and the music starts around 7.45pm. This event is also included in the Summer Season Ticket.
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 go to downendfolkandroots.com or find them on social media.