Welcome to Nailsea Folk Club
Welcome to Nailsea Folk Club! We have been running the club since 1987 and have developed a strong reputation for our concert programme which features top names from around the world. Over the years the club has become a family of linked activities and projects which develop and change over time.
We hold most of our concerts in Nailsea Tithe Barn which is very comfortable and has an excellent acoustic. Nailsea Folk Club was very involved and instrumental in the refurbishment of the barn which dates from the 15th Century. It provides an ideal ambience for folk music. It is fully accessible for people with physical disabilities and has modern facilities.
We also run more traditional folk club nights including feature nights at the Ring of Bells in Nailsea which has a lively atmosphere.
Every second Tuesday throughout the year at 8pm we have our "Singers and Musicians Nights" at the Grove Sports Centre (see the dedicated page).
NFC is also involved in fundraising events and helps many local causes especially Memories at the Barn supporting local people living with dementia and their carers.
Since May 2022 we have been running Sunday afternoon meetings and occasional events for Ukrainian refugees and their children living locally.
Spring 2025.
Thanks to all those who gave us feedback about what you thought of the concert programme at Nailsea. People said they really liked the Tithe Barn as a venue, the variety of the programme and generally preferred performers who didn’t just play instrumentals. People like having some songs! A number of people said they had got out of the habit of coming to the folk club before and following covid and hoped to start coming again. I hope you do!
The folk scene and audiences are changing with many of the names we used to know no longer playing. The nature of the music itself is also changing and there is a national debate and funded research about the purpose and value of folk music going in the future. Trust us to always provide really good varied entertainment and high-quality music.
In addition, we have some wonderful singers and musician’s nights at the Grove on the second Tuesday of each month. You never know what surprise gems might turn up.
We look forward to seeing you soon!
David
Fri 10 Jan: Old Baby Mackerel: One of the UK's largest and best-known Bluegrass bands, playing high-energy, foot-stomping Bluegrass featuring a fantastic line-up of renowned bluegrass musicians. A lively start to the year. Tickets £14.
Sat 25 Jan: Burns night Ceilidh: with The Barnstormers in aid of Barn Owls dementia choir. Expect fun calling, great Scottish tunes and songs and maybe a tot, a taste of haggis and smoked salmon cream cheese canapes. Tickets £12.
Fri 14 Feb: A night of romance: Flamenco Loco and Jim Reynolds. Flamenco Loco are Aneta La Polaca on dance, Cuffy Cuthberson on guitar and Jaime Cantera on vocals and percussion. Traditional flamenco executed with passion, skill and humour. Gentleman Jim is renowned for his blues, ragtime and songs of unrequited love. Tickets £14
Sun 16 Mar 7.30pm: St Patrick's night in aid of memory café. A popular, fun night of Irish tunes and songs with a wide range of guest performers. Fast paced tunes, jolly jigs and rollicking reels. Tickets £10
Fri 21 Mar: Reg Meuross: Fire & Dust, A Woody Guthrie Story. Top drawer trio with Reg on vocals and guitar, Marion Fleetwood on violin and Geraint Hughes on keyboard and accordion. Commissioned by Pete Townshend and created by Reg Meuross, Fire & Dust – The Woody Guthrie Story is a journey into the heart and soul of one of America’s finest folk musicians.
Fri April: 25 Tango Calor: “One of the best tango trios you will hear in the UK" with Mirek Salmon (bandoneon), Daryl Kellie (guitar), Jimi Can (voice/percussion). Virtuosity and engagement which is gripping. Tango Calor are often called upon to accompany Argentine artists and collaborate regularly with orchestras to perform the works of Astor Piazzolla.
Tickets £14
Fri 16 May: 7.30 Holy Trinity. Kozachky Ukrainian Vocal Ensemble: The evening marks the Ukrainian Vyshyvanka festival which is the day before. Stunning harmonies and vocal arrangements of folk songs from the Ukrainian countryside.
Tickets £12. Ukrainians / hosts free.
Sat 28 June 7.30 Holy Trinity. John Broomhead remembered: This date marks 20 years since John passed away. He was a founder member of both the folk club and the Harry Browns. Expect some names from the early days and of course the wonderful Harry Browns.
Free event.