Thursday 20th June, 2019 at 8:00
Entry - £6 (£5 members)

Kelly Oliver

Kelly Oliver is a singer-songwriter, guitarist and harmonica player from Hertfordshire.

She came to performing music a little later in life than many other of the rising stars of the UK music scene. After graduating from Royal Holloway, University of London and then travelling around Europe, Brazil and Argentina, her passion for folk music was ignited with a visit to Ireland. It was there that she was exposed to traditional Irish folk music, and with her Grandmother having been born in Tralee in Ireland, Kelly was heavily drawn to the culture and especially the traditional music, played live with intricacy and passion.

Returning home to England, she began her musical career by playing support slots at folk clubs on the scene, including many at the prestigious Hitchin Folk Club, which happened to be her local. After supporting various high-profile acts such as Phil Beer (Show of Hands), Cara Dillon and Barbara Dickson, Kelly began playing her own headline shows and slots at festivals around the country.

Since then, she has released two albums of her own original songs and has enjoyed many accolades for her work. Her debut album This Land' gained a 4* review from The Telegraph and her second album Bedlam was included in The Sunday Times Essential New Releases and was one of Paul Sexton's Top 20 Albums of the Year in Prog Magazine. Her last five singles have all gained BBC Radio 2 and BBC 6 Music airplay and she performed her 2016 summer single 'Rio' on BBC One's Sunday Morning Live for her first national TV appearance.

Quite an amazing young songwriter – Mike Harding

A fantastic new talent – Chris Hawkins, BBC 6 Music

Please note: start time of 8pm to finish at 10:30 pm

Topic Historic Photo Gallery
Pictures from the 50s, 60s, 70s and more on the website in a single gallery here.

The Topic at 60
The view from 2016, by John Waller. This is not a comprehensive history - instead John has put together a snapshot of the Topic as it is now, telling the story of how those currently responsible for the club's running came to be involved.

Topic Club Membership
£5 a year from 1st January. That gives you £1 off concert tickets, and you can get more involved with running the club too if you are interested.

Clicks since 03-2-2004:

Jun 27

Singers and Musicians

A chance to sing a song or play a tune or just listen. Entry free.

Jul 04

Roger Sutcliffe

This is Roger’s 56th year of playing at the Topic: there is very little we can say about him that his army of admirers don’t already know. But for any newcomers to the world of acoustic music Roger stands on his own as ragtime picker extraordinaire, blues supremo, and singer of songs of those genres. There are invariably a number of guitarists in his audience who have learned their craft first hand from Roger, so whether you pick, play or just listen, get down early for another packed night.

Jul 11

Cath & Phil Tyler

Often described as one the most raw and compelling acts on the scene, Cath and Phil play Anglo-American folk music, sharing a love of traditional folk narratives, mountain banjo and full voiced Sacred Harp singing. Using a combination of guitar, banjo,f iddle & voice they bring a highly concentrated and intimate musical experience that penetrates deep into the essence of the folk tradition.

Taking a more minimal approach to their material than some, they have been described as ‘one of the most compelling musical partnerships on the scene’.

They have performed on stages as diverse as the Royal Opera House in London and a dank tower in the old city walls of Newcastle.

Folk balladry has rarely been performed with such commitment and intensity – Record Collector

Beautiful songs, sung with care and love by two people who collect and cherish the history and impoortance of folk song – Folk Radio UK

Jul 18

Stables

Stables is an alt-folk duo formed by Matthew Lowe (Keston Cobblers Club) and Daniel Trenholme.

Stables was formed in January 2016 during late night drinks between Matthew and Daniel in London. Matthew was working on a new project idea at the time and, after playing through what was to become their first single, 'Steam', at 5 am, the duo was born, and quickly went public four months later.

'Beyond Brushes' (their debut album) was released to critical acclaim just nine months after, in August 2016, and was championed by the likes of BBC's Steve Lamacq, Tom Robinson and BBC6 Recommends amongst others, soon establishing them firmly on the circuit, with a growing fan base.

Just a month after the release Matthew and Daniel embarked on their first UK headline tour, followed by a small French headline. Stables put emphasis on 'energy' when playing live; switching instruments and producing the sound of a full band, with big harmonies and varied styles. Matthew says; 'I always wanted to create a simple sound that could then be taken further when needed, from a small folk club, to a large festival stage'. Stables have gone on to tour the UK further, performing at major festivals including Glastonbury Festival and five European headline tours in just over a year.

Stables' second album, 'Reverie', was released at the end of February 2018.

Cracking Stuff!' Steve Lamacq, BBC Radio 2 & 6 Music

Personal favourite- Tom Robinson, BBC Radio 6 Music

http://www.stablesmusic.com/

Jul 25

Double Header: Tom & Manny McKenzie and Chris Elliott & Caitlin Jones

Tom & Manny McKenzie

Tom McKenzie is a singer-songwriter from Bradford who performs both original songs and covers around Yorkshire. He records, mixes and masters all of his own music and has been doing so since the age of 15. His songs range from acoustic folk to indie. His newest album Tom McKenzie, is folkier than earlier material with a focus on acoustic instrumentation and live arrangements – the double bass, mandolin and fiddle taking larger roles.

Tom has performed in many venues including York Racecourse, Leeds University Union and Bradford Centenary Square, with radio play on a wide range of local radio stations.

Well accomplished musician and all round nice chap – Jericho Keys, BBC Introducing North Yorkshire

Go and check out Tom McKenzie, it is rare to find such talent – Success Circuit

Making waves across Yorkshire with his delightful style of acoustic folk – York Calling

A breakout artist with real potential for a swift upwards climb – Mad Alice Records

http://tommckenzie.co.uk/

Chris Elliott and Caitlin Jones

Chris Elliot and Caitlin Jones are a Staffordshire-based duo playing traditional and original music inspired by the English folk tradition. Well-known locally as part of the successful Bric-a-Brac, who gave the Topic a great night and also wowed audiences in other local venues such as The Castle and Black Dyke Mills Heritage Venue, we are looking forward to what is sure to be a great evening’s entertainment.

https://chrisandcaitlinmusic.org.uk/

August 01, 08, 15, 22 and 29

Singers' and Musicians' Nights throughout August, as traditional.

A chance to sing a song or play a tune or just listen. Entry free.

Or you can go and catch acts at a festival somewhere. That's where they mostly are!