Folk fans rejoice! The intimate folk and roots event returns to Newcastle
Image: Katie Doherty and Dave Gray – founders of Folklub Newcastle
Promising a fresh and intimate take on the traditional folk club, cannily titled Folklub (which takes inspiration from its Glaswegian namesake) returns to Newcastle for an all-day celebration of folk music and good times on Saturday 11th February.
Spearheaded by founders Dave Gray and Katie Doherty, who were forced to to put their big ambitions for their new venture on the back burner when Covid struck, the duo are excited about the event’s comeback.
Dave said: “It was always the plan to bring Folklub back. The launch was an overwhelming success and it really gave us confirmation that there really is a big appetite for this type of Folklub in Newcastle. But because we really wanted to keep the intimate Folklub spirit and the essence of live music – which had worked so well in 2020 – we knew we would have to wait until it felt like the right time. It absolutely feels like that’s now.”
The idea behind Folklub Newcastle was that it would shine a light on up and coming folk and roots talent, who would perform alongside big names from the folk scene. Performing at the event will be 2020’s songwriting competition joint winners Ella Joy Hunton and Rosie Anderson, alongside Glasgow’s Kinnaris Quintet, Pedler//Russell and North East up-and-comers, Brierdene.
Speaking of the acts, Katie said: “Kinnaris Quintet are a really exciting five-piece. They haven’t played in Newcastle for a long time and they are completely unmissable. Pedler//Russell have produced a really innovative album called Field and Dyke. It explores stories from Pedler’s native Lincolnshire using rhythms of machines from the factories there. We love this concept. Then as well as our Folklub songwriting winners – who were both so good we just couldn’t choose between them – we will also have local up and coming act Brierdene. Dave saw the band perform recently and was completely blown away by their energy and skilled playing.”
As well as the live music, there will also be a family clog workshop from Newcastle Kingsman.
Folklub Newcastle will take place on Saturday 11th February at Brinkburn Brewery, Newcastle.