events

 St Patrick's night, including Finnegan's chin

location: Ring O' Bells

 This is our annual bash to raise money for the music festival. There will be a range of Irish music performers, plenty of jigs and reels and opportunity to join in with some of those favourite Irish songs.

Tickets £8

 Breabach

location: Ring O' Bells

Phenomenal. Nominated twice as best Scottish Folk Band this young group have been taking audiences by storm with its raucous, driving attack and energy. You can expect foot stomping reels, extraordinary fiddle playing and a huge sound dominated by twin bagpipes; they unleash musical gems like a musical artillery to breathtaking effect. The line up features Calum MacCrimmon (pipes, whistles, backing vocals), Patsy Reid (5 string fiddle and vocals), Ewan Roberston (guitar and vocals) and Donal Brown (pipes, flute, whistles and stepdance).

With stirring tunes and top-notch songs, this is band has a delightful ability to connect with its audiences and plays exciting, lively music.

Tickets:£10

 Mawkin:Causley

location: Ring O' Bells

As this is St Georges Day it seemed fitting to have a band in the English tradition.

Mawkin:Causley have quickly become a well loved and mighty supergroup. Those wicked Essex rascals Mawkin joined forces with the honey voiced Jim Causley to form an inspired alliance. Mawkin are one of the best instrumental outfits is to emerge in recent years, with punchy arrangements on fiddle, melodeon and guitars. Combined with Jim’s rich bittersweet voice and rousing stage presence this line-up makes for spellbinding live performances.

They have headlined many major festivals and were nominated as Best group in 2009 BBC Radio Two folk awards.

Tickets: £10

 Magenta

location: Ring O' Bells

Part of Nailsea Arts + Music Festival 

Magenta were a hugely popular folk band operating out of the West Country from 1975 until 1985. They began as a duo when Arthur and Janet Brown (more latterly of Bulldog fame) teamed up to play local folk clubs. They soon met up with Mervyn Brown (no relation) and formed a trio who became the resident performers at The Bell in Banwell for 9 years. In 1977 they were joined by instrumentalist and singer Pete Thompson. The new line up developed a big following as they toured up and down the county. They released three albums and even ventured as far away as Singapore and Borneo. Between them they sing (superbly), play guitars, mandolins, dulcimer, whistles, recorders, glockenspiel and keyboards. They perform a mix of original and traditional music and are known for their friendly banter and Mervyn’s humorous anecdotes and monologues.

In October 2009 they held a 25 year memorial concert at Blakehay Theatre in Weston. The first night sold out so quickly they had to book a second night which too sold out. It will be a treat to have them at Nailsea.

 Nailsea Arts and Music festival

location: various

Our annual event to raise money for the Tithe Barn redevelopment.

In addition to folk music, there will be classical and jazz concerts and - fingers crossed - Blagovest choral ensemble from St Petersburg in Russia. 

 Martin Simpson

location: Ring O' Bells

Part of Nailsea Arts & Music Festival

Martin Simpson’s guitar playing is simply unsurpassed, He is one of the finest finger pickers and slide guitar players of our time. Winner of 5 BBC folk awards, an Indie award and a Lifetime Achievement Award he is recognised as a true master of his craft. He is an superb interpreter of traditional music from both sides of the Atlantic and his music is derived from an eclectic range of influences from Martin Carthy and Davey Graham to Blind Willie Johnson and Doc Watson.

Martin is a truly expressive musician, his control of pace, phrasing and careful use of dynamics makes his performances memorable.

Tickets: £12