Thursday 4th December 2025 at 7:30

_{NOTE: At the Rose and Crown bar, Sunbridge Wells Complex, Upper Millergate, Bradford BD1 1SX (see info on how to get there below).}

_{Singers and Musicians}

_{A chance to sing a song or play a tune or just listen.}

<sub>Entry £1, Doors open 7pm

and AGM
Topic Folk Club Annual General Meeting</sub>

_{It's that time again: the club's AGM will be held on 4th December at 7.00pm at The Rose & Crown, Upper Millergate, Bradford BD1 1SD, preceding the scheduled singers' and musicians' night. Further details have been formally circulated in accordance with the requirements of the constitution.}

_{A reminder that the AGM business will be for Topic members only: non-members coming to the singers night are welcome to observe, but will not be able to vote on any matters, as is normal.}
 

<sub>A collection of folk songs about people, groups and special places in Bradford District.

To mark Bradford City of Culture in 2025 the Topic Folk Club has gathered together folk songs about the story of the people and/or groups who work to make Bradford District a welcoming and supportive place.</sub>

_{See the 62 songs uploaded at SWABA-LYRICS-FINAL.pdf . It's a PDF file that you can download and then open.}

_{Please send any observations and questions to bd25topic@gmail.com}

_{NOTE: See below for information about the End of Year Concert for the Songs with a Bradford Accent project on December 7th at Kirkgate Centre, Shipley.}

_{facebook.com/TopicFCBradford}

_{You can see see The Topic's Safeguarding Policy (March 2024) here}

_{TOPIC VENUE}

_{The Topic is based in the Sunbridge Wells complex (developed in 2016; see here for background info) near the Mirror Pool in the centre of Bradford.}

_{Sunbridge Wells
Upper Millergate
Bradford BD1 1SX}

_{We shall be using two separate spaces: one able to accommodate Guest nights, the other more suitable for Singers and Musicians evenings.}

_{Guest nights will be held in the Wallers Bar, on the lower floor. Starting from the Mirror Pool, go through the narrow passage between Wetherspoons and Starbucks: and maybe 50 yards on you’ll see the Sunbrige Wells entrance. Inside, a sloping passage will lead you to the Waller Bar itself. Our performance room will be just to the left.}

_{Singers and Musicians evenings will be held in the separate Rose and Crown bar; and a series of metal stairs just before you get to the Wallers Bar will lead you up to it. The performance room will be one floor above that. Those who want to minimise stairs may find it easier to access this this from Sunbridge Road itself. Walk almost to the top, and then then turn right into Upper Milligate. The Rose and Crown is on the right just a few yards further on.}

_{There are toilet facilities on both levels.}

_Parking

_{There are some parking spaces on Sunbridge Road, cost: £1 from 6pm to midnight.} 

_{Parking is free after 6 pm on Thornton Road though currently parking is temporarily suspended on the south side, north side is ok (hope you've got your compass). There are small side roads off Thornton Road with no parking restrictions. Thornton Road is only a few minutes walk from the venue.}

_{Jacob's Well car park charges £1.50 per hour. There's also the car park behind the Media museum (Sharpe Street), but that's also £1.50 an hour, it's a bit further to walk than Jacobs Well.}

_{Bradford Interchange is about 6 minutes walk (0.3 miles from the venue; Forster Square about 10 minutes (0.4 miles). According to Google.}

_{facebook.com/TopicFCBradford}

_{You can see see The Topic's Safeguarding Policy (March 2024) here}

Coming Soon

_{Bradford is City of Culture this year - Bradford Booking in the listing below indicates when a guest artist from Bradford has been booked to appear.}

4 Dec

_{Singers and Musicians and AGM}

<sub>A chance to sing a song or play a tune or just listen. Entry £1, Doors open 7pm

NOTE: Topic Fok Club Annual General Meeting</sub>

_{Hello all,}

_{It's that time again: the club's AGM will be held on 4th December at 7.00pm at The Rose & Crown, Upper Millergate, Bradford BD1 1SD, preceding the scheduled singers and musicians night. Further details have been and are being formally circulated in accordance with the requirements of the constitution. A reminder that the AGM business will be for Topic members only: non-members coming to the singers night will be welcome to observe, but will not be able to vote on any matters, as is normal.}
 

7 Dec

_{SONGS WITH A BRADFORD ACCENT - END OF YEAR CONCERT}

_{Sunday 7th December 2025 - Doors 6pm start 7pm}

_{VENUE: Kirkgate Centre Shipley, BD18 3HE}

_{Throughout 2025 the Topic Folk Club has collected songs about people, groups, and special places in Bradford District. This is your chance to hear some of these songs sung by the songwriters themselves}

_{Featuring songs from:Mockingbirds, Nigel Hoyle, Nigel Broadbent, Janglebuddies, Ben Martin, Hilary McMullen, Lewis Pugh, Into the Buttercup}

_{ENTRY: No admission charge}

_{Bar and food (Pie and Peas, vegetarian option, available) on sale from 6pm}

_{Contacts: bd25topic@gmail.com Robbie Martin 01274 593585}
 

11 Dec

_{Plumhall
Bradford Booking}
 

_{Plumhall (Michelle Plum and Nick B Hall) are an acclaimed UK songwriting duo known for their captivating vocal harmonies and exquisite acoustic guitar playing. Their original songs have earned them widespread acclaim.}

_{Their first two albums, Thundercloud and The Ghost of Noise, received significant recognition, including a “Hidden Gem” recommendation from The Guardian/Observer. From the alt-country feel of the debut to the more experimental sound of the follow-up, Plumhall have shown their ability to blend strong songwriting with diverse musical influences. Their much-anticipated third album, One Star Awake, was released in June 2024 to critical acclaim and is available on all major platforms, as well as in CD format at their live shows.}

_{2024 has been a remarkable year for the pair. They completed a successful 30-date tour as special guests of Fairport Convention on their Winter Tour, with Fairport joining Plumhall on stage each night to perform “One Star Awake,” the title track of Plumhall's latest album, which also features Fairport's Ric Sanders. They were thrilled to be invited to perform at Costa Festival in Ibiza in May. They then reunited with Fairport at the Cropredy Convention in August, where they performed as part of an extended Fairport lineup including Ralph McTell.}

_{Plumhall have had the honour of performing with the legendary Al Stewart multiple times, including at renowned venues such as London’s Palladium and Cadogan Hall. They have also played alongside esteemed musicians like Larry Campbell, Phil Beer and Steve Knightley.}

_{In 2018, filmmaker Richard Heap invited Michelle and Nick to write an original song for, arrange live acoustic music for, and appear in the 2020 feature film The Runaways. The song "Closing Down" has since become a beloved part of their repertoire.}

_{During the pandemic lockdowns, Plumhall built a loyal global following through their livestream performances, which led to a fan-made video for their song "A Darkness That Won't Leave The House", later championed by Janice Long on BBC radio.}

_{Michelle Plum’s musical background includes a four-year stint with Chumbawamba, 4 years as a session musician with The Chris Norman Band, and a co-founder of the folk band Waking The Witch. Nick Hall has toured with Ian Prowse & Amsterdam, Magna Carta, and The Hall Brothers.}

_{In addition to their duo performances, Plumhall occasionally perform as a trio with their producer David P Crickmore (of Fiat Lux) on bass, vocals, and electronica, giving their live shows the full dynamic range of a rock band.}

_{Entry £9 (£6 members)}

_{Doors open 7pm}

_{https://wegottickets.com/event/672082}
 

18 Dec

_{Singers and Musicians}

_{A chance to sing a song or play a tune or just listen.}

_{Entry £1}

_{Doors open 7pm}
 

25 Dec


 

CLOSED

It's Christmas Day

2026

1 Jan

CLOSED

It's New Year's Day
 

8 Jan

_{Singers and Musicians}

_{A chance to sing a song or play a tune or just listen.}

_{Entry £1}

_{Doors open 7pm}

15 Jan

_{Double Header Night}

_{Ghost School}

_{Calderdale-based band Ghost School is an acoustic trio that plays a mixture of original songs and traditional material from all corners of the British Isles. The band brings together three highly accomplished and experienced musicians, Andy Greaves (mandolin/guitar/vocals), Jen Trott (fiddle/ vocal) and Les Gillon (guitar/vocal).}

_{Weaving songs and stories from the past with contemporary original compositions, Ghost School create a rich musical tapestry that comes to life in their dynamic live performances.}

_{2024 saw the release of their first album Let All Hearts Be Hollow, which is available on all download and streaming platforms.}
 

_Lilian

_{Lilian is a singer/storyteller of traditional folk and fairytales. Through song Lilian explores real world issues that we face today, and combines this with encounters of the supernatural world, drawing inspiration from the folk tradition to create a sound that is dark and at times ethereal.}

_{Lilian released her debut album ‘Pareidolia’ in 2023, a collection of traditional and contemporary songs and tunes, and has performed up and down the country to attentive audiences who describe her voice as haunting.}

_{"At times ethereal, at times vivid, A triumph in the use of acoustic light and shade" - Tykes/Stirrings}

_{Entry £9 (£6 members)}

_{Doors open 7pm}
 

22 Jan

_{Singers and Musicians}

_{A chance to sing a song or play a tune or just listen.}

_{Entry £1}

_{Doors open 7pm}
 

29 Jan

_{Double Header Night:}

_{White Sail}

_{White Sail are Jane Stockdale, Chris Bartram & Sarah Dean. With two sell out tours supporting (and as backing band) to legendary Hothouse Flowers front man Liam Ó Maonlaí, White Sail are making waves and certainly have the wind behind them!}

_{With a glorious melding of sublime harmony vocals & guitars, mandolin, Celtic harp, Appalachian dulcimer, schruti box, trumpet, flute, woodwind & percussion the trio perform their own unique material at gigs and festivals. Taking their inspiration from nature, history and heritage they write about love, life, the land and the sea. The stories are told with passion and sublime musicality. The songs are set against soundscapes that are joyous, vibrant and at times, gentle and mesmeric. They also weave their unique magic on the contemporary & traditional.}

_{August 2021 saw the release of their 2nd EP This Great Ocean to great reviews - the first EP To The Blue and Single 'WinterTide' are available on CD and Download. White Sail are putting the finishing touches to a recently recorded live EP entitled White Sail Live in Session at Crooked Room Studio.}

_{"White Sail are rooted in the music of the people and the music of the land. There is a heart driven energy in the way they share their music and songs. I had the pleasure of touring with them two years in succession. We made a lot of music together venturing in to the unknown" Liam Ó Maonlaí, Hothouse Flowers}
 

_{Here’s the Steeple}

_{Here’s The Steeple is the musical handle of multi-instrumentalist Dan Walters. Distinctly northern, Dan has lived most of his life in Teesside and West Yorkshire, where he has developed a reputation for intricate guitar textures and soaring, soulful vocals that warm you up like a good cup of tea. As Here’s The Steeple, his music draws on a range of folk-related influences, from the singer-songwriter stylings of Laura Marling to the experimental folk of Rachael Dadd.}

_{Dan is an accomplished solo performer, and both his original music and his takes on trad. folk songs have received praise from artists including The Brother Brothers, Tiny Ruins, The Unthanks, and the Wilson Family. Recorded, his songs often take on new life with sophisticated arrangements and vocal harmonies, influenced by Dan’s long history of choral singing.}

_{Here’s The Steeple has played both as a soloist and with a band, supporting artists including The Brother Brothers, Will Varley, Tiny Ruins, Jesca Hoop, Scott Matthews, Rozi Plain, and Chris Brain.}

_{Here’s The Steeple’s most recent offering is a collection of 3 double A-side singles, funded by Help Musicians. Released across 2023-24, they explore themes of childhood, relationships, and politics, and demonstrate the thoughtful lyrics and rich textures he has become known for.}

_{“Dreamy, childhood soundscape” - Tom Robinson, BBC Introducing Mixtape}

_{“There’s a lot going on but it sounds like it’s fallen together in a really perfect way... There’s something reaIly, really special about it.” - Emily Pilbeam, BBC 6Music}

_{“I honestly got a little bit lost in that track there... I think it’s stunning... Already looking forward to hearing more. Absolutely soaking that up.” - Christian Carlisle, BBC Introducing Leeds & Sheffield}

_{“Bloody fantastic!” - Adrian McNally, The Unthanks}

_{Entry £9 (£6 members)}

_{Doors open 7pm}
 

5 Feb

_{Singers and Musicians}

_{A chance to sing a song or play a tune or just listen.}

_{Entry £1}

_{Doors open 7pm}
 

12 Feb

_{Pete Coe}

_{Pete has been a professional musician since 1971, playing at festivals concerts, clubs, dances & schools throughout Britain, Europe, Asia, New Zealand & USA. During the ‘70s he toured and recorded with Chris Coe, was a member of the legendary New Victory Band & with Nic Jones, Tony Rose and again, Chris Coe, he was a member of Bandoggs. In the late ‘80s and early ‘90s he toured and recorded with Red Shift but since 1985 he's mainly worked as a soloist & earned an enviable reputation.}

_{His strong, distinctive voice is enhanced by his instrumental versatility, the ringing strings of his bouzouki, the sweet chords of his mountain dulcimer, the plaintive frailing banjo & the pulsing reeds of his melodeon. He's also a country dance caller, creator & band musician. He sings, plays & step dances, sometimes all at once!}

_{His latest album is The Road to Peterloo, about which Tykes News said: “These songs may be 200 years old but they still have the power to shock, amuse and inspire, especially when handled as empathetically and powerfully as by this trio of musicians.”}

_{“There’s a very good reason why Pete Coe’s career has been such a long and successful one: this is a man who never rests on his laurels and who is constantly looking for new angles from which to approach his music. In addition he’s an extremely competent singer, musician, arranger, step dancer and a stage performer of rare ability…” - John Waltham, Living Tradition.}

_{“One of the most important folk artists in Britain” MOJO}

_{“it may be easier and quicker to list the talents that Pete Coe doesn’t have.” - Andy Kershaw, BBC World}

_{“Pete Coe in many ways represents the backbone of the modern folk revival. A fine solo performer and an energetic activist for the scene as well, founding Ryburn 3 Step, running folk clubs, dances and workshops in Ripponden and beyond while also teaching music and dancing in schools. He’s still one of the most committed, most versatile, most important folk artists in Britain.” - Colin Irwin MOJO}

_{Entry £9 (£6 members)}

_{Doors open 7pm}
 

19 Feb

_{Singers and Musicians}

_{A chance to sing a song or play a tune or just listen.}

_{Entry £1}

_{Doors open 7pm}
 

26th February: Dales Music and Dance Collective

5th March: Singers and Musicians

12th March: Paul Walker & Karen Pffeifer

19th March: Singers and Musicians

26th March: Lonan

2nd April: Singers and Musicians (Easter Sunday 5th)

9th April: The Heathen Kings

16th April: Singers and Musicians

23rd April: Painted Sky

30th April: Becky Mills + Support Anna Howells

7th May: Singers and Musicians

14th May: Becky Taylor and Sam Lawrence

21st May: Singers and Musicians

28th May: Tom Bliss with Den Miller

4th June: Singers and Musicians

11th June: Damien Barber + support Pen and Stu

18th June: Singers and Musicians

25th June: Double header Paula Ryan and Roberta Smith

2nd July: Singers and Musicians

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