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

Est: 1956

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Topic Newsletter Archive

Newsletter No 274 - April 2025

Hope you're all well. Spring is finally here and most welcome it is....

And here's our programme for April:

(To mark Bradford's year as City of Culture we are ensuring that one of our guests each month will be either from Bradford or have strong links with the city.  These will be marked with *)

PLEASE NOTE that the first Thursday in April (3rd ) will NOT now be a singers and musicians night. See below...

3rd April      Hall Bros with John Carey and  Chris Bunyan. *- NB change of programme: as mentioned in the last newsletter this guest night is rescheduled from January this year which had to be cancelled due to bad weather.

 (So please note there will be only one singers and musicians night this month, 17th)

The Hall Brothers & John Carey have played their own brand of acoustic folk rock for over 30 years now and their blend of sibling harmonies, ‘seriously nifty’ guitar-playing, heartfelt songs and flying fiddle instrumentals is guaranteed to delight any audience.

Duncan Hall is a brilliant finger-style guitarist, emotive vocalist and writer of literate songs. Nick Hall is one half of Plumhall and has honed his singing, songwriting and guitar playing skills while performing with the likes of Magna Carta, Ian Prowse, Al Stewart and Fairport Convention. John Carey has also been a member of Magna Carta and brings his instantly recognisable violin sound and spirited live performance style to the band. Chris Bunyan joins them for this performance. Entry £9 (£6 for members)

Live together, they produce unforgettable performances that lift the soul.’

https://www.facebook.com/p/The-Hall-Brothers-100059938123297/

https://wegottickets.com/event/640472

10th  April    Henry Parker*  Support Heslop & Stringer  *

Henry Parker's contemporary take on folk, which he explores via thoughtful yet deeply accomplished guitar playing, unfurls and moves much like the landscape itself – mirroring the unpredictable, yet beautifully flowing, rolling hills and valleys of his native county of West Yorkshire.

Parker’s musical roots go back to a self appointed upbringing in prog-rock and metal. However, enthralled at the age of 20 by the ethereal playing of Bert Jansch and Nick Drake, finger-picking and open tunings rapidly became the essence of his sound. The result is a strain of informed, progressive folk music found nowhere else.

Henry has recorded two albums: the eco-conscious Silent Spring (2019) and Lammas Fair (2021), bringing him to the forefront of the progressive folk music world. In 2023 he curated and recorded on behalf of the American label Tompkins Square Records, bringing together a tribute album to Michael Chapman, one of his most important musical influences.

What Parker does so effectively is to blend ancient with early-70’s and modern styles - Mojo

Channelling the ghosts of Jansch and Renbourn through his fingertips, the fluid playing and emotive singing of Yorkshire-born Henry Parker evokes the spirit of the early-60’s folk revival as if it were yesterday”- RnR Magazine

Precision guitar playing...effortless use of loop pedals, nice to see an unsigned folk musician playing to such a high level - FATEA

A really excellent young guitarist/ songwriter - Steve Tilston

https://henryparkermusic.co.uk/
  

Support Heslop & Stringer  

Mark Heslop & Matt Stringer are a Yorkshire based duo performing original songs, based on a mixture of northern history and their own personal experiences.

Now hailing from Liversedge & Fixby, West Yorkshire, live performances feature guitar, mandolin (Stringer), violin (Heslop) and harmony vocals, bringing their stories to life.

Mark Heslop grew up in Bankfoot/Dudley Hill so is a Bradfordian through and through. He’s a big Bradford City fan and played a song that he wrote at Valley Parade and on Look North when City reached Wembley a LONG time ago.

After releasing their first album New Beginnings in November 2022, the pair set out to introduce themselves to the people of Yorkshire and beyond.

The last couple of years have seen them play at Cleckheaton, Filey, Robin Hood’s Bay, Saltaire and Holmfirth folk festivals, the Great North Folk Festival and UK West Coast Folk Festival at Blackpool Winter Gardens and several of the county’s great folk clubs. They previously appeared at the Topic as a support to Paul Walker & Karen Pfeiffer in April 2023

Matt Stringer works in Bradford at the new city park office near the fountains from August 2024 onwards, which he’s excited about. He also lived in Gomersal/Cleckheaton for many years, which is a BD postcode, and sadly attended Odsal Stadium most weeks to support the Bradford Bulls.

"Seeing the changes in the city centre with Bradford Live, the demolition of the NCP on Hall Ings and the proposed new city park is exciting and we’re looking forward to seeing how the city of culture can be an exciting change for the city. It would be a real pleasure for us to contribute to the Topic’s events".   Entry £9 (£6 members).

https://www.facebook.com/HeslopandStringer/

https://wegottickets.com/event/640721

17th  April    Singers & Musicians   £1 entry

24th  April     Chris Cleverley

Chris Cleverley was born under a solstice moon, in an aura of honeysuckle mysticism. Described as ‘impressive’ (The Telegraph), and ‘haunting’ (The Sunday Times) his collection of award-winning independent releases have earned him a robust and loyal, grassroots following on the New British Folk Scene.

With a visceral lyrical style, inspired by the American-Indie greats Elliott Smith & Sufjan Stevens, his ambient Dream-Folk songwriting explores the place of acoustic-driven music within the 21st Century emotional landscape. Shining an honest light on diverse, arresting themes from pervasive artificial intelligence to disquieting climate emergency, it is no wonder Folk Radio UK have called him "One of the most vital voices of his generation." As a student of Nic Jones and Joni Mitchell records, his blistering guitar technique is infused with the hazy, dreamlike essence of the 60s Folk Revival, while his ambient synth-laden production reflects his well-earned position as a true innovator within the world of UK acoustic music. Cleverley is a performer whose presence occupies the room effortlessly - taking his audiences on a journey deep into the self and unpicking our place within this increasingly head-spinning modern age.

Chris’ critically acclaimed 2019 album We Sat Back and Watched it Unfold released to rave reviews, with RnR Magazine describing it as “One of those rare albums that can genuinely be called important”, while earning him the position of FATEA Magazine’s “Male Artist of 2019”.  Entry £9 (£6 members)      

One of the most vital voices of today’s folk generation – Folk Radio UK

Haunting – The Sunday Times

As loaded as Ballard – Time Past and Time Passing

Sheer Stylishness – fRoots

With artists like Chris Cleverley writing and performing like this, the new British folk scene is in incredibly rude health”– Rock Society

It’s so refreshing to hear someone who doesn’t obey the rules – Folking.com

https://chriscleverley.com/

https://wegottickets.com/event/640703

 TOPIC  ZOOM -  28thApril 2025

Joy Leach has submitted the following:

This is an invitation to join the forthcoming Topic Zoom on Monday April 28th.

You may notice it's a week later than our usual 3rd Monday, as the Easter Bank Monday falls on April 21st.

You are welcome to log on with songs, tunes or poems to share or as a member of the audience, when the evenings will be lighter and the days a bit warmer.

Our Zooms are open to everyone anywhere in the UK and beyond.  As previously, the digital doors will open at 7.30 for an 8pm start; the programme will run till 10.00. 

Our thanks to Jim Saville for allowing us the use of his Zoom so we can run the sessions without a break.

For further enquiries about participating, pass codes for the evening etc, please email:

joy.utistugu.49.5.8@gmail.com 

FRIENDS OF HULLABALOO

For anyone who wishes to become a member of Friends of Hullabaloo, there are forms in the bar with all the registration details. Also online registration is quite easy. The link to register is called 'Become a Member' and can be found on the website homepage www.hullabalooshipley.org.uk  Membership Costs £10 per year and will come with some great incentive offers.

The first members meeting will be held in the function room at Hullabaloo on Tuesday 8th April at 7pm-8.30 ish . 

THE TOPIC AND BRADFORD CITY OF CULTURE 2025

The now usual reminder that we are involved in one of the cultural events in the run up to Bradford City of Culture 2025. I'll continue to put the reminder on the newsletters, more people may yet be inspired to submit a song for the project which is now up and running, plenty of songs coming in: the project will be running throughout 2025.

See the usual attached updated flyer Songs with a Bradford Accent.

This ambitious project is by no means limited to the usual participants in the acoustic music scene: if you know of anyone outside our orbit who might be interested in being involved, please let them know about it, nay, encourage them. It's not a competition, by the way, no winners and losers, just a chance to show what local songwriters can do to honour the city's award.

Additionally, to help promote this project we would like to record people saying “Songs with a Bradford accent” in various languages, if the language is spoken in Bradford we want it to be represented.  Could you help?  If possible send a recording to  jem.emmett@bcbradio.co.uk of yourself saying “songs with a Bradford accent” in your language.  If you are not able to record yourself then please get in touch with Jem at BCB and we could arrange for you to record at BCB studios.

For further details of SWABA and to send a song you have written please get in touch with Robbie at bd25topic@gmail.com.

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY: ADVANCE NOTICE OF SOME FUTURE EVENTS INVOLVING THE TOPIC AND THE BRADFORD CITY OF CULTURE

On the weekend of 4th and 5th May there will be a festival entitled Salt of the Earth Festival, based at Caroline Street Social Club in Saltaire. The Topic has been offered a 90 minute slot early on the Sunday afternoon starting between 1pm -2pm, which we are intending to use to allow those who come to our singers and musicians night the chance to perform to a larger audience. Flyer attached: more details about the club's involvement in the next newsletter.

On Saturday 31st May we are running a Songwriting Workshop at the Bradford Mechanics Institute, 76 Kirkgate BD1 1SZ. This will run from 10.30 am  to 3.30 pm and will be led by local Topic favourites Nick Hall and Michelle Plum, aka Plumhall of course.The event will be open to all abilities. More details nearer the time, meanwhile flyer attached...

This event is in association with and has been made possible by Creative Lives and  Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture.                                                                          

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Topic-goer Zbig Szafranski  has conducted a very interesting interview with Mic (of Mic and Susie Darling). A little too lengthy to include here but you can read it on the Topic Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/groups/647289061950797

NON-TOPIC STUFF

On Monday 7th April 2025 Liz Narey's First Monday Folk welcomes Janglebuddies.  Original/traditional music performed by Phil Cockerham and Dickie Dixon.

Venue:The Ryshworth Club, Keighley Road,Crossflatts, BD16 2EZ. Doors 7 pm. Pay as you feel, raffle. Music from 7.30pm.

Winter Wilson are appearing at The Black Dyke Mills Heritage Venue Brighouse Road, Queensbury BD13 1QA on Saturday April 12th 7pm - 10pm (music from 7.30pm)

https://www.blackdykemills.org/

Marie Little is appearing at Ryburn 3 Step Folk Club, The Hollins Mill, Sowerby Bridge HX6 2QG on Sunday April 13th, 7pm - 10 pm. Tickets £9. Reservations 01422 822569 or email info@ryburn3step.org.uk. 

Please note this club can only accept cash.

www.ryburn3step.org.uk.

Both Marie and Winter Wilson have appeared at theTopic in years gone by.

Local favourites Plumhall are also at The Black Dyke Mills Heritage Venue Brighouse Road, Queensbury BD13 1QA on Saturday April 19th 7pm - 10pm (music from 7.30pm)

https://www.blackdykemills.org/

Looking further ahead: Tom Bliss and Den Miller are doing another short tour to further Tom's ongoing campaign to raise funds for the MS Society (he has raised more than £10,000 so far) - his daughter suffers from this dreadful disease. The first gig is on Friday 9th May, 7.30 pm in St. Andrews Church, Bradford Road Oakenshaw BD12 7EN, so make a note. Full details of this and the rest of the tour in May in the next newsletter. As some of you will remember, Tom and Den gave us a memorable night at the Topic last year.

NEWS FROM THE DALES

(The final Buck Inn session of the 2024/25 season took place on 9th March)

 The Celebration of Beresford Music which will take place on April 13th is now fully booked.

On Saturday 5th April, 7pm - 11pm there is a ceilidh at Killinghall Village Hall with The No Lazy Dancing Dance Band, caller Pete Coe.  Details as per the attached flyer.

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TOPIC STUFF                                                    

As most of you will know by now, we now accept (indeed prefer) payment by card, but you can of course pay by cash if that suits you better.

Membership of the club runs from 1st January and will entitle 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. You can join or renew your membership on any club night.

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For performers who may be thinking of approaching the club for a booking, please email: info4topic@gmail.com

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 Hullabaloo, 41 Westgate, Shipley, BD18 3QX. Doors will open at 7 pm with a 7.30 pm start and a target time of 10pm to finish.

A reminder that freshly prepared food is available at Hullabaloo from 5.30 pm.

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 are hoping we can count on you for your continued support.

Floor singers are always welcome (though may be limited if we have a booked support act - please check). Please arrive by 7.15 pm if you’d like a slot – it helps the MC to plan the evening.

Please continue to take Covid precautions when visiting the club.

Best wishes 

Tony Charnock

Topic Folk Club