A Celebration of the Christmas Season in Words and Music

Sat 28 NovDoors 19:30

Janice Burns & Jon Doran

Assembly Rooms · Presteigne

Janice Burns & Jon Doran are an award-winning Scottish and English duo who came together after discovering a shared love of traditional music. Their songs tell vivid stories about the nature of life and our place in the world. Burns and Doran’s ‘clever and uncluttered musical storytelling’ (Songlines****) comes alive through close vocal harmonies and sensitive interplay between mandolin, bouzouki and guitar. Their arrangements have a spellbinding presence and an understated energy that transports songs from the pages of books and manuscripts into the imagination of the listener. With their relaxed and personable approach to performance, Burns and Doran are renowned for the warmth of their connection with audiences. From Stage 2 at Cambridge Folk Festival, to Celtic Connections, Edinburgh Tradfest and Cecil Sharp House, the duo are highly sought after across the UK and beyond. They’ve performed in top venues across Europe, including Tivoli Vredenburg (Utrecht), Le Trianon (Paris), and Islington Assembly Hall (London) whilst on a support tour with pagan folk outfit, FAUN. In January 2026, they were invited to perform their songs with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra at Gla...

GigsFolkBlues

Sun 6 DecDoors 15:00

Rhiannon Hooson

Assembly Rooms · Presteigne

As the wheel of the year turns towards its dark point and the winter solstice, Rhiannon Hooson leads us from the Celtic Old Year and into the New. Featuring readings from a new cycle of poems which chart a course through the months of the year, the talk will explore the process of writing and the ways in which close observation can lead to connection with the natural world.

TheatreLiterature

Sun 13 DecDoors 19:00

In the Spirit of the Season - a concert of classical music with a sprinkle of folk

Assembly Rooms · Presteigne

A concert that spans a few centuries of classical music and works its way to folk in the spirit of the season. Leila Basletic, piano; Ruth Watson, oboe; Peter Cornish, clarinet; and John Hymas, violin and accordion.

GigsClassical

Sat 6 Feb 2027Doors 19:30

The Brothers Gillespie

Assembly Rooms · Presteigne

Described by Folk Radio UK as ‘weaving an especially compelling magic’, and 'showing British acoustic music in its best possible light’, Northumbrian duo The Brothers Gillespie make music that is animated by lyrical songwriting, fine fingerstyle guitar playing, multi-instrumental musicianship and ‘the glorious tones of their blood harmony’ (Sam Lee). Brothers James and Sam Gillespie found their sound growing up in the fells and valleys of Northumberland, their songs often describing relationships with wild places and the experience of finding oneself in a world alive with soul. The music comes to them most strongly when walking in the borderlands with their packs and instruments which remains a regular practice for them. This spirit is channeled into their live performances which have a rare and intimate energy, both ethereal and earthy, romantic and radical. The brothers have travelled far and wide with their music and have played at Cambridge and Sidmouth Folk Festivals and opened for Lankum and Sam Lee. In 2021 they featured in the English Heritage ‘Songs of England’ recording series that appeared on BBC Radio 4. The release of their new album ‘The Merciful Road...

GigsFolkBlues

Wed 16 DecDoors 19:00

Belle & Sebastian

De La Warr Pavilion · Bexhill-on-Sea

Performing 'If You're Feeling Sinister' followed by a second set of favourites

GigsIndie & Alternative

Wed 16 DecDoors 19:00

Desperate Journalist

The Garage · London

GigsRockIndie & Alternative

Wed 16 DecDoors 19:00

Echo and the Bunnymen plus Special Guests

Camp And Furnace · Liverpool

Apples For Isaac UK Album Tour 2026

GigsRock

Wed 16 DecDoors 19:00

Maximo Park

The Engine Shed · Lincoln

20th Anniversary Shows plus support

GigsIndie & Alternative