Fivehead Folk Nights

09/08/2026

SPECIAL CONCERT - Wednesday 2nd September, 7.30pm

A TROUBADOUR JOURNEY : LINDISFARNE TO DURHAM
A Songwriter’s Adventure along St Oswald’s Way & The Way of Light

In June 2025 singer-songwriter Gareth Davies-Jones walked from Holy Island to Durham Cathedral via St Oswald’s Way and The Way of Light (Northern Saints Trail). As he went he carried a small guitar on his back and performed concerts for local communities everywhere he stopped. The journey provided inspiration, connections and stories that form the basis of a new song collection written and recorded in Autumn/Winter 2025. The new album “A Troubadour Journey : Lindisfarne to Durham” was released in April 2026.

"Wonderful acoustic guitar throughout, and lyrically impressive, it is a journey well worth taking.” Americana UK

18/07/2026

First-time floorsingers at last Saturday's Folk Night, Mike Eaton and Becca Roberts gave us this instrumental featuring the incredible sound of a hurdy-gurdy!

12/07/2026

The all-female Willow - musical trio - gave us a delightful evening of vocal and instrumental music with beautiful harmonies and accompaniment on guitar (Anne), fiddle (Christina) and a variety of wind instruments (Jane).

26/06/2026

Our next Fivehead Folk Night is on Saturday 11th July and features guest folk group Willow from the Stroud area. Willow are an all female contemporary folk trio comprising Anne Cunningham on guitar and main vocals, Christina Snell (of The Peekies) on fiddle and Jane Whaley on clarinet and whistle. They create a unique sound with a variety of songs and tunes, and have recently begun composing their own songs.

14/06/2026

Will Southcote and Chris Jewell in full swing last night with one of several instrumentals as part of their highly varied and entertaining set.

07/06/2026

The highly talented duo Will Southcote and Chris Jewell return to Fivehead Folk Nights on Saturday June 13th with piano accordion and violin respectively. Expect a lively night of music and humour. Here's how Will describes their act:
"An eclectic mixture of songs,instrumentals and stories. We promise not to play anything we played last time, apart from what we did last time! An honest mixture of well-rehearsed numbers and some perhaps more spontaneously sourced. Choruses aplenty"

11/05/2026

James Slater entertained us with his unique blend of American-flavoured songs, including a selection of his own compositions. This video clip is James singing his song, co-written with his partner Fran, "Bitter Truths, Sweet Lies and Tales to Tell". The song title cleverly combines the titles of James' three CD albums, which are available at https://jamesslater1.bandcamp.com/

03/05/2026

At our Fivehead Folk Night on Saturday 9th May we look forward to a return of the ever-popular Americana singer/songwriter James Slater. James will no doubt entertain us with a selection of his original songs, classic blues and humorous stage patter, accompanied on guitar and harmonica.

James is well known on the Bristol folk scene, having been part of groups such as Appalachia, Iron & Oak and Chameleon but on May 9th we welcome him back for a solo gig. James has been busy sorting out some personnel health stuff this last year and writing new songs while not being so busy with bookings. A new album is planned for late 2026 and he is looking forward to playing some of the new songs on Saturday at Fivehead.

James Slater is a singer/songwriter living in the west country, his influences however are the other west! over the water in the United States.

12/04/2026

And here's Dan McKinnon singing his charming song 'Aesop's Fables'.

12/04/2026

Dan McKinnon gave a heart-warming performance of his beautiful songs, many of which are based on stories from his home town of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. With his wonderful baritone voice and fine guitar accompaniment, he had the audience weeping one moment with his moving song 'Remember Me' (the story of the 1917 explosion in Halifax harbour), then laughing the next with 'This Side of the Sod' - his positive take on getting old. Here is a video of Dan singing the title track from his 2007 album, 'Just Another Day'.