Est: 1956

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_{Venue: Sunbridge Wells,
Upper Millergate, Bradford BD1 1SX}

Topic Newsletter Archive

Newsletter No 280 - October 2025

I trust you have seen the separate email I sent regarding the change of venue....

Here's our programme for the coming month:

(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 *)

2nd October   Singers & musicians   £1 entry

9th  October   Den Miller*    Support: Ben Ashton*

Strong melodies, catchy sing-along choruses and intelligent lyrics, are the trademark of songscomposed and performed by singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, Den Miller. Den is an engaging and entertaining live performer, delivering his music and his message with clarity, energy and a good deal of humour.

His album Join All The Dots presents a quirky outlook on modern life's issues and challenges, including relationships, parenting, war and terrorism. Den shares an unusual viewpoint that entertains and is thought-provoking, to make connections between situations and events that seem to be unconnected.

style - from wildly comic to deeply poignant - make listening a pleasure, and an experience not to be missed -  Horsham Folk Club

A wonderful artist, don't miss this  - Cathryn Craig & Brian Willoughby

An unusual take on the world - Baccapipes Folk Club

denmillermusic.com

Ben Ashton

Bradford-born and raised, Benjamin Ashton is a fingerstyle guitarist, singer and songwriter. Benjamin first began to play live over a decade ago as a busker in Australia as a solution to his student loan not covering the extortionate rent.

Since then he has developed a varied repertoire containing both traditional folk songs and self-penned songs, with his writing covering anything from mill disasters to decorating, to contemplating how our hunter-gatherer minds are struggling in the alien modern world we've created - deep eh? Known to the Topic from floor spots and singers and musician nights, particularly pre-pandemic until work-life balance became a problem for him, Benjamin is now refusing to do his day job past 5 so he can sing again.    £9/£6

https://wegottickets.com/event/672061

16th  October    Singers & musicians   £1 entry

23rd  October     Sunjay

Sunjay is the antithesis of your typical denim-clad disheveled folk and blues musician. From his perfectly groomed hair to his spotlessly shining winklepicker boots he walks onto the stage every inch the "city slicker" When Sunjay starts to sing and play the guitar however, you are transported to a world where blues and country music meld seamlessly amidst humid mangrove swamps and red neck barbecues. Sunjay is, without doubt, the real deal. Drawing from a rich, musical, and cultural background it is hardly surprising that Sunjay has quickly become recognised as one of the UK’s rising stars. His performances have been described as “mature and confident,” while his guitar playing has been hailed as “superb,  brilliant, experienced, intricate and faultless.” Sunjay’s style has that natural drift between folk and blues. He has, in every sense, grown up in public, having performed regularly to ever increasing audiences from the age of seven. Now, at thirty years of age, Sunjay has become a master guitarist, who has crafted his show to perfection. He also has an encyclopedic knowledge of his music, and a wicked sense of humour.  £9/£6

An evening with Sunjay is an evening of exquisite blues, country and folk music with sonorous vocals and a master class in guitar playing, interspersed with hilarious anecdotes.  

One of the best young pickers and singers around – Mike Harding, BBC Radio 2

One of the UK's finest young Blues stars – Iain Anderson, BBC Radio Scotland

A very accomplished and dynamic guitarist, with a mature stage presence and echoes of a young Ralph McTell  – R2 Magazine
Already creating a stir with talents way beyond his years. A really soothing, natural sound and most definitely destined for bigger things – Maverick Magazine

https://www.sunjay.tv/

https://wegottickets.com/event/672063

30th    October    Union Jill (rescheduled)

Union Jill are a Yorkshire-based female acoustic duo with over a decade of festival and folk club experience. As singers, instrumentalists, and songwriters, they bring a sense of storytelling with their songs, with vocals that produce spellbinding effects with their rich harmonies. Union Jill have established an appealing stage presence and gathered an ever-growing fan base across the UK. Taking their inspiration from a wide range of styles, Union Jill bring their own energy and passion to the acoustic music scene. They mix traditional folk instrumentation (guitars, mandola, concertina) with an edgy contemporary feel and powerful vocal delivery. Sharon and Helen’s ability to tell a story through lyrics draws in audiences of all types. Their material embraces historical themes and contemporary issues; personal experiences and protest songs. They have an on-stage banter that you only get from two women sharing a stage.   £9/£6

https://www.facebook.com/UnionJillpage

https://wegottickets.com/event/672065

TOPIC  ZOOM - October 20th 

You are invited to join our cross-continental Topic Zoom session on Monday October 20th. New faces are always welcome to contribute to the music and the often wide-ranging discussions.

To participate in this or other Zoom evenings, either as a performer or as an audience member, please contact Guy at guy@wutheringbikes.org.uk

The monthly Zoom sessions are open to everyone, anywhere in the UK and beyond. As previously, the digital doors will open at 7.30 for an 8pm start and  the programme will run till 10.00. Songs, tunes and poems are all welcome.

We are grateful to Jim Saville who allows us the use of his Zoom Pro so we can run the evening without a break. He also advises on the technical glitches that can occur from time to time.

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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.

To mark Bradford City of Culture in 2025 the Topic is gathering together folk songs about the story of the people and/or groups who work to make Bradford District a welcome and supportive place.

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.      

You can hear some of the songs submitted on BcB Listen Again presented by Robbie Martin on the following link

https://www.bcbradio.co.uk/      Click on "Listen Again" and Follow the links, clicking on 25th August, and 1700 - 1800                                             

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NON TOPIC STUFF

NEWS FROM THE DALES

The Buck Inn sessions restart on October 12th, 2pm to 5 pm, thereafter on the 2nd Sunday of each month, 1pm - 4pm

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On Saturday 4th October The Jon Palmer Acoustic Band are appearing at Black Dyke Mills Heritage Venue, Black Dyke Mills, Brighouse Road, Queensbury, doors 7.00pm, show starts @ 7.30pm

https://www.blackdykemills.org/

https://www.jonpalmeracousticband.com/

On Sunday 12th October, 7pm until 10 pm  Dougie Mackenzie and Brian Miller, veteran performers of Scottish songs and ballads, come to Ryburn 3 Step Folk Club,  Hollins Mill, Hollins Mill Lane, Sowerby Bridge HX6 2QG. Tickets £9. Reservations 01422 822569 or email info@ryburn3step.org.uk. 

Please note this club can only accept cash.

www.ryburn3step.org.uk.

The Wilderness Yet are appearing at Bacca Pipes, Riddlesden Institute, Scott Lane, Riddlesden, Keighley BD20 5BU on Friday 31st October. Doors open 7:30pm, start 8pm. 

(Please note there is no bar: bring your own alcoholic drinks. Tea and coffee will be available).

https://baccapipes.org.uk/

https://www.thewildernessyet.com/

Kathryn Roberts and Sean Lakeman are appearing at Wadsworth Community Centre on Saturday 25th October.

Doors 6.45, start time 7.45pm

https://www.bgrevents.co.uk/

https://www.kathrynrobertsandseanlakeman.com/

Brian Houston is appearing at the Avondale Club, 19 Bradford Road, Shipley BD18 3PJ on Sunday 26th October, 7pm - 9 pm. This is a Pay As You Feel event.

https://www.brianhouston.com/

Looking a bit further ahead: 

Performers are wanted for the annual Peace and Crafts Fair which takes place in Victoria Hall, Saltaire on 29th November,10 am till 4 pm.

For details email:   music@yorkshirecnd.org.uk 

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. 

PLEASE NOTE that  anyone joining from now until 31st December will only need to pay £5 membership fee.                                                                     

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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.

For the time being Topic guest nights will take place on Thursdays at Wallers Bar, Millergate BD1 (situated in the underground Sunbridge Wells complex); singers and musicians nights will take place in The Rose and Crown, Upper Millergate BD1SD - essentially the same building but at ground level. Doors will open at 7 pm with a 7.30 pm start and a target time of 10pm to finish.

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