At: Hullabaloo, 41 Westgate, Shipley, BD18 3QX

Est: 1956

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Topic Newsletter Archive

TOPIC FOLK CLUB, BRADFORD

At the Bradford Irish Club, Rebecca Street, BD1 2RX                    

Newsletter No. 136 – September 2013

Hello again everyone,

A slightly earlier newsletter this month as we've been under the radar for a few weeks, as is normal for the Topic during the month of August.

So, as  Autumn approaches, what have  we to offer to compensate for the passing of a not bad summer? Plenty is the answer: read on.

5th September
The Durbervilles
Our old friends from the Batley Delta, with their original blend of folk and roots music. For the few who don't know them, the band, made up of  Lee Walsh, Mark Boyce, David P. Crickmore, Gus Taylor and Ruth Wilde with too many instruments to mention - is characterised by great musicianship and superb vocal harmonies. £6/£5

12th September
Landermason
A return visit by this very talented duo of Paul Mason and Fiona Lander who hail from Northumberland. Fiona (vocals, piano, whistles, saxes, clarinet and recorder) and Paul (guitars and vocals) have developed a unique sound over the ten years or so that they have been performing together, combining both traditional and contemporary folk with other styles in their highly original arrangements. They have recently completed their fifth studio album and are regularly featured on BBC and other radio stations. £6/£5

19th September
Prelude
With their original line-up of Brian and Irene Hume and Ian Vardy, Prelude are still recording and performing to rave reviews. Best-known for their world-wide success with a haunting  a capella version of Neil Young’s After the Goldrush in 1974, they have toured with the likes of Ralph McTell, Joan Armatrading and  Don McLean: they also recorded backing vocals on Ralph McTell’s iconic Streets of London.  Last year they recorded their eighth album The Belle Vue  Sessions. It will be a real pleasure to have the band as guests of the club. £6/£5

26th September
Jon Loomes and Tom Kitching
John Loomes is a multi-instrumentalist par excellence. Too many to mention here, a dozen or so, but including fiddle, mandolin, concertinas, melodeon, hurdy-gurdy:  also a member of the highly acclaimed innovative dance band Heretique.  Jon has various projects on the go most of the time: currently it’s performing with the excellent fiddle player Tom Kitching, something of  a Topic regular nowadays, having visited the club in recent years accompanying Gren Bartley and Gavin Davenport on separate occasions, as well as with the superb Pilgrims Way. £6/£5

"They were superb - both Tom and Jon displayed amazing musicianship and great fun and energy too."

A final word about the Shuttle Shuffle Arts and Music Festival which was held in Bradford over the weekend of 17th/18th August. A most enjoyable two days with music of many genres to sample. The Topic had  a room of its own where many of the club's regulars gave an hour of their time to an ever changing audience. There were strong performances from 14 acts: what came across was the depth of talent on Bradford's doorstep. It was heartening to see so much good music under the Topic banner, and good to be "out there" away from our comfort zone to show Bradford's music enthusiasts what the club has to offer. Many thanks to Sue Gafffney's untiring work in putting the programme together, also to Neil Etherington and Muppet for publicity and MCing. Hopefully the festival will be back on a yearly basis. Praise too to Factory Street Studios for hosting/organising the event.

If you would like to become a member of the Topic Folk Club, it costs just £5.00 per year, running from 1st January. Being a member entitles you to the lower ticket prices shown in this newsletter, as well as the chance to become more involved in the workings of the club if you would like to.

If you’re visiting the club for the first time, be sure to come and say hello, and if anyone has any suggestions for the club, for example if you would like us to try to book a particular artist, we’d like to hear them.

The Topic runs on Thursdays at the BRADFORD IRISH CLUB.  8.30pm start. (Singers & Musicians nights start at 8.15pm). Like all the clubs in the area, our aim is to provide good quality live entertainment to suit all tastes of those interested in folk music, and we thank you for your continued support.

Floor singers are always welcome, especially in the first half. Please try to get there by 8.15pm if you’d like a slot – it helps the MC to plan the evening.

To find the Topic on Facebook search for "Topic Fc"

Tony Charnock, Topic Newsletter Editor  

tocharn@gmail.com        

www.topic-folk-club.org.uk