Christchurch Folk Music Club

Adam McGrath and Esther Swift Friday 21st February 2020

Adam McGrath and Esther Swift a night of contrast and exceptional musicianship. Esther from the Northern hemisphere brought grace, exquisite techniques that highlight her talented compositions juxtaposing against the raw energy of the Southern hemisphere boy, who weaves stories that thread his songs together in a wonder of captivation and awe. The contrasts were not tectonic plates raunchily grating against the other, their alternate works were like the springboard that launched the musical musings into the limelight displaying the respect that each other upheld for their co-performers. This esteem was so evident which gave the audience the reassurance that this was indeed two creatives working in symbiotic respect and harmony. The opening duet was powerful, both in its execution and the challenge ably achieved to change a contemporary rock ballad into a folk ballad. To my ears there was really no other way to hear this song. Bringing that freshness as a duet to the conclusion of the show would have added the pinnacle of performance accolades, however, did not distract from the concert of sensational talents sharing the stage. Judi Smitheram

More Reviews

Jed Rowe, with Monique Aiken, 30 Sept 2018

The night opened with the returned to her home city after seven years proving her guitar and singing skills in the Wellington folk scene, was Monique Aiken Monique presented confidently bringing us her own songs eloquently crafted delivered with vocal...

read more

Review: The Beggarmen Fundraiser Concert

Reviewed by Tony Hale     The Christchurch Folk Music Club are piecing together the history of the club and the Canterbury Folk Festival. We look forward to uncovering new information about those that have shared the...

read more

Best Enemies – 7 July 2019

Fellowship fostered by music has been to the fore over the past months at the Folk Cub as the club celebrated 50 years of live acoustic music in November 2018. Seeing the friendships and collaborations over that weekend was truly awe inspiring, a testimony to the...

read more

Waimate Folk Festival, 31 May – 3 June 2019

Waimate Folk Festival at Gunns Bush, Waimate District, Canterbury from Friday 31st May to Monday 3rd June Where musicians both experienced and new from Christchurch, Dunedin, and everywhere in between and further afield. Came together for a weekend of music, dance and...

read more

The Long and Short of it: Danny Tawhiti and Iain Mitchell

21st July 2019 We welcoming back Mitch (Iain Mitchell) to the Christchurch Folk Club, he has treaded our boards before, as well as being a hard working President and committee member of the club. Mitch has been singing British Celtic music semi-professionally since he...

read more

The Muddy Mama Blues Band 26 August 2018

What a night we shared at the Folk Club on Sunday! From the moment the first few bars hit the air the audience was captivated by The Muddy Mama Blues Band. Lead singer Judi Smitheram showed great form, revelling in the mighty musicianship of her five-piece...

read more

The Ceilidh Dance 16 Sept 2018

A cèilidh is a traditional Scottish or Irish social gathering, where dance and music is the binding factor. The dancers were certainly bound in joy for the dance and the Monday Night Session Band brought music that was dance-able and enjoyable. The delight...

read more

Matty Smith and Josh Braden 29 July 2018

A soft, acoustic approach for a night filled with the creativity of Matty's original songs to the fore and shining. There was contrast throughout the night. The night opened with the tones of the David Gray sound-alike Matty crooning his songs with a depth...

read more