Est: 1956

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

Topic Newsletter Archive

Newsletter No 285 - March 2026

_{Hello again all. March is here at last: is Spring really about to spring????? Fingers crossed, it's been a long winter.}

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

_{5th        March           Singers & musicians       £1 entry}
 

_{12th       March           Paul Walker & Karen Pfeiffer   Support: Working on it}

_{With glowing reviews from Edinburgh Fringe and beyond, Paul Walker and Karen Pfeiffer bring a unique Anglo-German flair to the folk scene. Their new show Cheaper Than Therapy blends wit, warmth, harmony, entertainment and deeply engaging songs that connect with audiences from start to finish.}

_{With just two voices, guitar and Irish flute/recorders, Paul and Karen let their folk-inspired  arrangements and imaginative song-writing sparkle and combined with their playful cultural banter (Stoke-on-Trent meets Stuttgart), an unforgettable experience blending musical excellence with theatrical presence emerges. They’ve performed across the UK, Ireland, Germany, Australia and New Zealand, and are known for captivating performances that draw people in – and leave them singing after.}

_{This cultural fusion brings not just songs and stories full of humour and depth – but connection, laughter, and those little moments that turn a good evening into a highlight.}

_{Eclectic, performed with passion – Folk & Honey
A first-class experience – Bietigheimer Zeitung
Great show! – Graham Norton}

_{www.paulwalkermusic.co.uk}

_{Working On It}

_{The trio Working On It are: Andy (vocals and guitar), Jon (guitar, banjo and dobro), and Wendy (vocals, mandolin and guitar). Working On It have a distinctive acoustic-based sound and style. Their music integrates influences from folk, rock, pop, and Americana, featuring lyrics and melodies creatively composed by Andy, with riffs, solos and harmonies from Jon and Wendy Taking inspiration from a wide range of music, a unique sound and style has been created with songs both upbeat and catchy, and some edging more towards the introspective and melancholy. There are also glimpses of classic pop that shine through.  £9/£6}

_{https://thebandworkingonit.com/}

_{https://wegottickets.com/event/689747}
 

_{19th       March            Singers & musicians       £1 entry}
 

_{26th       March           Lonan       Support:  Leo Brazil}

_{Yorkshire-based folk trio Lonan weave together compelling narrative tales and driving instrumental tunes. Often drawing upon contemporary issues as well as traditional song, the band explores the eclectic musical palettes of Evan Davies (mandolin, fiddle, guitar, vocals), Katy Ryder (flute, whistles, guitar, vocals) and Robin Timmis (guitar, fiddle, vocals). Their other projects include award-winning bluegrass outfit, The Often Herd, Lisbon-based Casa De Klezmer and the British Library-backed project Living with Machines.}

_{Having met through the lively Leeds music scene, the trio’s strong friendship and musical foundations were solidified when, after hearing the likelihood of an upcoming lockdown in late March 2020, they quickly moved in together and decided to use the time to do some recording in Timmis’ basement studio. This resulted in their first single, Following Orders’, released in April 2021 (which, in keeping with the story of
the song, raised money for the Leeds homeless charity St George's Crypt) and their debut album Forever Has Flown, released in August 2021 to a sold-out show at Seven Arts in Leeds and followed by a UK tour.

Lonan have since performed at festivals including Llangollen International Eisteddfod, Hebden Bridge Folk Festival and Northern Green Gathering, and their music has been played on shows such as Mike Norris’ Classic Folk and Ian Anderson’s Podwireless, as well as a living room concert live on Chapel FM.}

_{In the summer of 2024 they began working on their next highly-anticipated release at Greenmount Studios, Oddy Locks was released in October 2025}

_{https://www.lonanfolk.com/}

_{Leo Brazil}

_{Leo Brazil has been writing and recording his own music since he was a child singing into a tape machine. As well as drawing on his love for classic pop, rock and roll and soul, Leo draws inspiration from animals with songs that connect personal emotions and experiences with stories from the natural world.}

_{Establishing his own label as an umbrella for diverse projects, Leo works out of his home studio and is developing a unique and colourful evolution of sound that mixes acoustic, folk, rock and psychedelia. After well received first releases in 2024, some collaborations and previews from the forthcoming acoustic based solo record Alone - 2025  started with the debut single from dinosaur themed psych-rock quartet Bone Wars described as forward-thinking, fresh and familiar - The Big Takeover.}

_{Leo is a multi-instrumentalist and in the studio plays keyboards, drums and violin. Live he mostly sticks to guitars and banjo where he draws on his big repertoire of self penned songs, equally comfortable with low key acoustic ballads or foot stomping energetic numbers.
Leo has supported The Crazy World of Arthur Brown, Son of Dave, Floral Image, Trip Westerns, The Blow Monkeys, Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly, Chris Helme, Space, Miles Hunt, Romeo and Michele Stodart, Water Tower Band, Jake Vaadeland, The Blues Band, Seamus Fogerty, Liela Moss, The Rails,    £9/£6}

_{https://www.facebook.com/groups/911506323967628/?locale=en_GB}    

_{https://wegottickets.com/event/690530}

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

_{TOPIC ZOOM - MONDAY MARCH 16TH}

_{You are invited to join the next Topic Zoom session on Monday March 16th 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 2nd March 2026-  -  Liz Narey's First Monday Folk welcomes North Yorkshire based singer/songwriter Anna Howells.  see https://linktr.ee/annamcc75 for more about Anna.}

_{NOTE NEW VENUE! Bingley Arts Centre (in the upstairs studio this month) 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.} 

_{https://linktr.ee/annamcc75}

_{On Sunday 8th March 7pm until 10pm, Ryburn 3 Step Folk Club, Hollins Mill, Hollins Mill Lane, Sowerby Bridge HX6 2QG welcomes Dana Robinson from the USA.}

_{https://www.robinsongs.com/}

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

_{www.ryburn3step.org.uk}

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

_{Local blues and ragtime maestro Gerry Cooper is appearing at the Avondale Club, 19 Bradford Road, Shipley BD18 3PJ on Sunday 29th March 2026, 7.30 pm. This is a Pay As You Feel event.}

_{NEWS FROM THE DALES}

_{This month the Buck Inn session returns to...The Buck Inn, Buckden (now reopened after refurbishment) on  Sunday 8th March 1pm to 4 pm.}

_{This will be that last one before the summer break: hopefully to return in October, so the organisers are hoping for a good turn out on 8th March. There will  be a discussion as to how the sessions will run in the future.}

_{IMPORTANT EVENT COMING UP: ANJA FEST (in memory of a young Bradford woman who died of an undiagnosed heart condition)}

_{On Saturday 28th March from 3pm till 8 pm at  Black Dyke Mills Heritage Venue, Black Dyke Mills, Brighouse Road, Queensbury, BD13 1QA, Topic supporter Zbig Szrafanski has organised a concert featuring local musicians to raise funds for CRY (Cardiac Risk in the Young), which will fund screening for 400 people aged between 14 and 35. Anja was from Bradford and her family are raising funds for the charity in her memory}

_{The attached links will give some background details about Anja and the charity.}

 _{https://www.c-r-y.org.uk/}

 _{https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c23r1rdry4ro}

_{https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/news/25411186.tribute-19-year-old-anja-wilson-queensbury/}

_{The attached flyer gives details of the concert. There is also a Facebook page https://fb.me/e/3pNSltiuB} 

_{It would be great to see this event well supported as it concerns a local family's tragedy. Anja's mum Carly and dad Kevin will be at the concert.}

_{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.}                                                               

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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 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.}

_{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}