C o n c e r t s - 2023
December 13th 2023 - The Wilderness Yet
Wrea Green Institute, Station Road,
Wrea Green, Preston, PR4 2PH
Join us in celebrating the Christmas season with The Wilderness Yet's Christmas show, based on their album 'Turn the Year Round', featuring secular re-writes of classic carols and carefully arranged seasonal favourites.
Taking their name from a Gerard Manley Hopkins classic, this Sheffield-based trio fuse the clear, charismatic vocals of former BBC Young Folk Award finalist Rosie Hodgson with the fine, sensitive fiddling of Rowan Piggott and the deft guitar and flute playing of Philippe Barnes.
All three musicians are clearly steeped in traditional music, but also have unique creative voices. Independently, they have earned audiences’ esteem as consummate musicians; together, they weave an eclectic tapestry of traditional and original songs and tunes; from a cappella three-part harmonies to luscious instrumental arrangements.
Their eponymous debut album was released in 2020 to critical acclaim, closely followed by a short EP of commissioned covers called John O Dreams. Their latest studio album, What Holds The World Together, was released on 21st July 2022.
Support by Andrew Green
Entrance £12
January 17th 2024 - Bryony Griffith and Alice Jones
Wrea Green Institute, Station Road,
Wrea Green, Preston, PR4 2PH
It still being winter we have a special warming treat for you to start the year with powerhouse Yorkshire folk duo Bryony and Alice whose new album, Wesselbobs, presents 12 wintry offerings featuring fiddle, harmonium, tenor guitar and body percussion, combined with their beautifully matched vocals and intricate harmonies.
Bryony is an English fiddle player and singer from Huddersfield in West Yorkshire with a rich repertoire of English dance tunes and songs. Her career, so far, began with acclaimed ceilidh band Bedlam through to an appearence on Jools Holland, being a member of The Witches of Elswick (with Fay Hield) and being a founder member of the BBC Folk Award-winning Demon Barbers.
Alice is a singer, multi-instrumentalist and dancer from West Yorkshire.
Her background is deeply rooted in the English folk tradition and the music that she makes instantly reflects this strong influence. Alice sings mostly traditional songs accompanying herself on the piano or harmonium and sometimes only with foot percussion. She brings fresh, modern perspective to traditional material and brings new life to old songs.
A great way to start our 2024 programme!
Entrance £10
January 31st 2024 - Caffrey McGurk Madge
Wrea Green Institute, Station Road,
Wrea Green, Preston, PR4 2PH
"A fine blend of voices and playing guitar and concertina" the trio, comprised of Nick Caffrey, Ed McGurk and Robin Madge, deliver an eclectic mix of traditional and contemporary songs performed in their own special style.
Nick Caffrey is considered one of the finest unaccompanied singers in the North West of England with an extensive knowledge of traditional songs and ballads (and a great voice, too!).
Ed McGurk (vocals, guitar and cittern) is a long-standing supporter of the Lancashire folk scene as both a performer and organiser. He is a highly regarded solo performer of traditional and contemporary songs.
Robin Madge (vocals, anglo concertina and whistles) brought up in Watchet, Somerset, was a member of the folk/rock group Blind Panic, the duo Achilles Heel and the group Hen's Teeth. He has also has written a book, “Another Approach to the Anglo Concertina”, detailing his own esoteric style of Anglo Concertina playing.
Entrance £10
February 14th 2024 - Amy & Gavin Davenport
Wrea Green Institute, Station Road,
Wrea Green, Preston, PR4 2PH
Amy and Gavin Davenport sing songs about life, love and loss with a strong maritime undercurrent reflecting Amy’s former career as a professional tall-ships sailor and build on Gavin’s experience in acts including The Albion Band, Crucible, Hekety, The Morris on Band and solo work.
Both come from well-known musical families and have shared roots in their current home city of Liverpool. Both have strong and distinctive voices, whether singing lead or harmony, and this is matched by instrumental accompaniment on guitar and cittern from Gavin.
Entrance £10