Est: 1956

Map &
Directions

_{Venue: The Castle, at  20, Grattan Road  Bradford BD1 2LU}

Topic Newsletter Archive

Newsletter No 286 - April 2026

_{Hello again all.} 

_{Here's our programme the the month ahead:}

_{2nd     April          Singers & musicians       £1 entry}

_{9th      April           The Heathen  Kings} 

_{The Heathen Kings are a three-piece band from Yorkshire with their feet firmly rooted in the British folk and traditional music scene.}

_{Performing traditional, borrowed and self-penned songs, their music ranges from high energy celebrations of this dynamic art form with three voices,}

_{guitars, bouzouki and electric bass, to intimate unaccompanied singing.}

_{Now in their fifteenth year together, Mark, Rachael and Steve have performed nationally, playing headlining and support slots at some of the}

_{most regarded folk clubs and festivals up-and-down the country, plus a handful live radio and television performances.}

_{They have recorded three albums and EPs, Good at the Bad Things, Not in Service and Bedlam to Babylon available on all streaming services and now working on their fourth! £9/£6}

_{For more information visit www.TheHeathenKings.com or https://linktr.ee/theheathenkings}

_{https://wegottickets.com/event/689749}

_{16th     April         Singers & musicians       £1 entry}

_{23rd      April         Painted Sky}

_{Painted Sky have only recently emerged onto the UK folk scene, but they have already made a lasting impression with their progressive acoustic sound.}

_{Siblings George Brandon (guitar/vocal) and Holly Brandon (fiddle/vocal) have been making music together for as long as they can remember. Both have worked on independent projects, with George performing solo and Holly perhaps best known as part of transatlantic folk band, The Magpies. But the siblings have always been drawn back to each other’s playing and tight-knit instrumentals and harmonies reflect the bedrock of their lifelong musical history.}

_{Original material thoughtfully balances the duo’s roots in traditional English music. Their songs are characterised by honest vocals and timeless storytelling, underpinned by driving rhythms. Whilst their exquisite instrumentals weave delicate finger-picking guitar and soaring fiddle with a dynamic energy.}

_{After making waves with their EP – Dawn – in 2020, Painted Sky released their debut album From The Blue in May 2024. Produced by award-winning singer-songwriter, Blair Dunlop, the record stands as a testimony to the siblings’ 20 years of music making. It feeds on a rich pool of English songwriting, traditional songs and ideas to deliver an album with a refreshing mindset, where waves of contemporary textures and arrangements make it feel like an album truly from the blue.     £9/£6}

_{Terribly splendid - RnR Magazine}

_{A quality act in our midst - Northern Sky}

_{Anthemic - Folking.com}

_{International folk sound, lovely harmonies … really like that! - BBC Radio York}

_{Website: https://paintedskyfolk.weebly.com}

_{Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/paintedskyfolk/}

_{Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paintedskyfolk/}

_{https://wegottickets.com/event/689751}

_{30th       April         Becky Mills  Support: Anna Howells.}

_{Hailing from the wild moorlands of North Yorkshire, singer/songwriter Becky Mills brings a uniquely personal and touching slant to the modern folk genre.}

_{With a foot in both contemporary & classic traditions, her evocative songs take the listener through topics encompassing love, loss, motherhood, emigration, the regrets of old age, the nature of heroism, grief during wartime - even the joy of running away to the circus! - a kaleidoscope of subjects, but always with wit, humour, charm and feeling.}

_{Described by listeners as "moving", "witty", sometimes "heart-rending", but always "uplifting", her acclaimed 2013 mainstream debut Dandelion led to comparisons with Sandy Denny - but this was no bolt from the blue. Becky spent the early 2000's recording solo albums locally, whilst gigging far and wide and supporting the likes of Pentangle, Fairport Convention and Barbara Dickson. She then joined Waking the Witch and co-wrote two successful albums. A unique all-girl modern folk ensemble, WtW acquired a loyal fanbase who followed them to major festivals such as Trowbridge, Cambridge and Glastonbury.}

_{In 2018 Becky signed with Talking Elephant records for the release of Tall Tales and Home Truths, the long awaited follow-up to Dandelion, released in April 2019. In 2020 Becky released A Midwinter Miscellany as one third of a trio with Ashley Hutchings and Blair Dunlop.}

_{"Mills is a master storyteller. Shot through with wisdom, her bewitching songs imagine the mysterious lives of others with enormous sympathy" - The Musician magazine}

_{"A collection of warm humanity and emotional truth" - RnR magazine}

_{"A delightful album from start to finish, full of passion, life, great songs and stories” - House of Prog magazine (9/10)}

_{"Superb musicianship and a voice that will give you shivers" -FATEA magazine}

_{Anna Howells}

_{Anna's Irish roots and time in Yorkshire orchestras and ensembles bring a unique quality to her work. Her songs are otherworldly and her clarinet brings a chamberesque flavour to her enchanting sense of melody.Most recently, Anna was named one of the "Highly Recommended Artists" after being selected to perform on the Danny Kyle Open Stage at Celtic Connections in Glasgow.}

_{Since its release on 15th November 2024, Anna’s debut EP Fall of a Leaf has been played on BBC Radio 2 The Folk Show, Iain Anderson BBC Radio Scotland and Celtic Heartbeat BBC Radio Wales among others. The EP, produced by Boo Hewerdine and Chris Pepper at Saltwell Studio, was featured as EP of the Year (Best of 2024) by the David Dee Moore Radio Show.

In 2023, Anna was selected for STAGES at Moniack Mhor (Scotland’s Creative Writing Centre) - an immersive songwriting development programme for emerging artists. Stages, the resulting 12-track collaborative album included Anna's Hope Flies With Swallow's Wings, which led to her being asked to record a Balcony Session for BBC Introducing.  £9/£6

https://www.anna-music.co.uk/

https://wegottickets.com/event/696429}

_{TOPIC ZOOM - MONDAY 20th April 2026}

_{You are invited to join the next Topic Zoom session on Monday 20th April. The digital doors will open at 7.30 for an 8pm start, and the programme will run till 10 pm. To participate in this or other of our monthly Zoom evenings, either as a performer or as an audience member, please contact Guy at guy@wutheringbikes.org.uk}

_{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.}
 

_{----------------------}

_{NON TOPIC STUFF}

_{On Monday 6th April 2026-  -  Liz Narey's First Monday Folk welcomes Serious Sam Barrett.}

_{Venue: Bingley Arts Centre (upstairs theatre), Main St, Bingley BD16 2LZ .}

_{The venue is 100% accessible via staircase and lift.}

_{Doors 7 pm, music 7.30 pm. Pay as you feel, donation and raffle.} 

_{On Sunday 12th April, 7pm until 10pm, Ryburn 3 Step Folk Club, Hollins Mill, Hollins Mill Lane, Sowerby Bridge HX6 2QG welcomes Hebble} 

_{info@ryburn3step.org.uk  or phone 01422 822569}

_{www.ryburn3step.org.uk}

_{Please note this club can only accept cash.}

_{Rachel Modest is appearing at the Avondale Club, 19 Bradford Road, Shipley BD18 3PJ on Sunday 26th April 2026, 7.30 pm. This is a Pay As You Feel event.}

_{----------------------}
 

_{Mic Darling. As many of you will know by now, Mic Darling passed away in early March. Mic and Susie were much loved on the local music scene and appeared  at many of the venues in our area over the years, including The Topic and The Castle. Our condolences go out to Susie.}

_{I'll attach the transcript of Mic's interview with Zbig Szrafranski last year including some photos which some of you will have seen before, but is a timely reminder of Mic's musical background, his comments on the folk scene over the years, and includes one of his poems.}
 

_{TOPIC STUFF}  

_{As many of you 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.}                                                               

_{---------------------------}                                                                             

_{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 normally take place on Thursdays at Wallers Bar, Millergate BD1 (situated in the underground Sunbridge Wells complex).}

_{Singers and musicians nights will take place at:The Castle 20, Grattan Road  Bradford BD1 2 LU.}

_{Street parking for the Castle is available on Barry Street and Grattan Road (£1) just outside the pub, and there is a disabled parking slot.}

_{Doors will open at 7 pm with a 7.30 pm start and a target time of 10pm to finish.}

_{A reminder that the Wallers Bar offers free loyalty cards: after 10 drinks marked off on your card, the next one is free. We are trying to obtain a supply of these cards and hand them to anyone who would like one as they come in.}

_{For those coming to the Wallers Bar, a reminder that you can find free parking on the north side of Thornton Road and up the side streets.}

_{Update on this: the parking bays on Thornton Road just past the car showroom charge 80p for up to 2 hours and are free after 8 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.}

_{Tony Charnock}

_{Topic Folk Club}