Christchurch Folk Music Club
Cam Ye Oér By Bus?
They came frae the north, the bogs and the moors
attacking the heartland as oft times before
They came armed with guitars, accordions and more
and one had an organ and played it full sore
It became with a banquet of beasts freshly slain
and cooked on the platform where folks catch the train
and when hosts and raiders were fed and replete,
why then said their leaders,” now take to your seats”
So all sat and listened as they sallied forth,
a singin’ and playin’ for all they were worth
And first twas the Bantams – an opera well led
by David the Hart helped by Sue and Big Red
And when they had finished their jaunty wee songs,
the Harts they withdrew but Sweet Sue, she stayed on
A song of a bike ride played on Barkman the One,
I smelled the salt sea, I laughed in the sun
Then Philip played nicely with voice sweet and true
and played for the host a wee number or two
Then joined by a lady whose name I forget,
but good vocal style, it stays with me yet
And then was the audience totally destroyed
by the organ, afore-mentioned, and John Sanchez- Lloyd
He played and sang so well that you may be sure,
men, women and kinder were howling for more
So after a drink stop we looked to the floor
to see if these Raiders could come up with more
Up stepped a lean Scotsman, we knew he could do it,
he plays lovely music does that Davy Stewart
A beautiful ballad of love that was gone
and one of a place where the people moved on
And then some flat picking, a jig, a strathspey,
better than he looks, some people might say
Then T. Kiesonowski or Tony to you,
played us some blues songs and joined by our Sue
Then one he had written that blows us away,
Coming down from Paradise on a diamond- hard day
How could they finish ? they’d all played so well,
with a superstar songstress, Isabella Miller-Bell
With Sue Grant on guitar she launched into song
and easily carried the audience along
And then all these Raiders assembled as one,
their final finale was finally begun
“Will the circle be broken?” they asked us in song,
“Hell no!” we replied, as we all sang along
And so it was ended and everyone left,
the Station, as usual, of people bereft
As our friends all returned to their swamp on the plain,
we can’t wait for the time when we see them again
Bottlelake Junction
Christchurch's newest Celtic-Bluegrass Band, Bottlelake Junction wowed the audience with some awe inspiring music by three musicians individually accomplished and together they were dynamic. This trio emerged from the Canterbury Folk Festival...
Dan Walsh combined ‘virtuoso playing and winning songwriting’
18th February 2018, Fresh from a nomination for BBC Folk Awards Musician of the Year and off the back of the busiest world tour of a successful career, Dan Walsh returned for a third trip to New Zealand, and his third to the Folk Club, to...
Alan Reid in Concert, guest artist 2018 Auckland Folk Festival
We heard him here first on 21st January 2018. On his way to the Auckland Folk Festival Alan Reid from Scotland of Battlefield Battle claim, shared his wealth of experience with us in the beautiful Addington Haven. Nearly fifty years of...
Alistair Brown – a well traveled Scottish singer & concertina
Alistair Brown has been singing the old songs, and new songs written by people who like the old songs, since he was fifteen years old. He began his career helping out in the folk clubs of his native Scotland during the folk revival of the 60s,...
Joel Fafard releases his ‘Fowl Mood’ CD
13 March, 2018 Joel features on the cover of the current ‘Hear Ye’, maybe not as prestigious as the cover of the “Rolling Stone” however a real kudos statement for our club. Joel certainly met the challenge with his performance on Sunday night....
Graham Wardrop and Roger Lusby
A night when two Otago raised lads brought their well-founded and honed skills to a Christchurch stage, amidst a room filled with anticipation and a full audience. If there was expectation in the air for a fantastic night of entertainment,...
The Squirrelly Bills & Gary Elford
25th March 2018 Like the phoenix rising from the ashes this night shone with the changed billing. Due to unforeseen circumstances The Squirrelly Bills stepped up from their support act role and covere3d the first half of the night with Gary...
The Port Hillbillies
27th May 2018 The Port Hillbillies concert marked the end of a joyous union of four talents that met majorly through Christchurch Folk Club connections. Kris Brown on guitar has taken the opportunity of a ‘dream job’ and will be returning to...
Ferris Family and Friends
22nd April 2018 A night where the music soared with eagles wafted on the up draughts of some great music generated by a flock of Ferris family and or Ferris family friends. The evening promised and delivered a show with lots of variety, colour,...
Adam McGrath
June 2018 There is an interwoven thread of connections between Adam McGrath and the Christchurch Folk Club spanning many years. He has previously performed at both the Folk Club and the Canterbury Folk Festival, and we hope to have him or The...