Windborne workshop and concert

Windborne are returning to Bristol to give a workshop and concert of songs from their American roots, songs of protest and freedom, and folk songs from other cultures collected on their travels.

Tickets are available for the concert or workshop only, or for both together. The workshop is open to all. There is no need to read music or to be an experienced singer. Songs will be taught by ear, and you will find that there are many strong singers in the group to support you.

Windborne’s captivating show draws on the singers’ deep roots in traditions of vocal harmony, while the absolute uniqueness of their artistic approach brings old songs into the present. Known for the innovation of their arrangements, their harmonies are bold and anything but predictable.

Windborne specialize in close harmony singing, shifting effortlessly between dramatically different styles of traditional music. Their musical knowledge spans many continents and cultures but they remain deeply rooted in American folk singing traditions. Audiences and critics lavish praise upon the singers not only for their technical mastery, but for the passion, engagement, and connection with each other and the audience that imbues each performance with a rare power.

But there’s another, crucial dimension to Windborne that guides and roots their artistry. They are adherents to folk music’s longtime alliance with social activism, labour and civil rights, and other movements that champion the oppressed, the poor, and the disenfranchised. Their songs burst with lyrics that, while penned decades or centuries ago, still ring true in modern times, and Windborne’s dynamic harmonies breathe new life into these songs.

"Spectacularly good, utterly brilliant...a hugely impressive album!"
Blues and Roots Radio

"Completely enthralled with them from the first notes...their harmonies are gorgeous..."
No Depression

"The best musical discovery of the year...Stunningly powerful vocal harmony in the tradition of the Watersons, The Voice Squad, and Coope, Boyes, and Simpson, Windborne sets a new bar for folk harmony singing today"
Brian O'Donovan, National Public Radio

"Some of the finest singers of protest and folk music that I have ever heard...One of the Best Albums of 2017!"
SingOut! Radio Magazine

"A quartet the likes of which I haven't seen since Coope, Boyes and Simpson, the Watersons, or The Voice Squad. Just absolutely phenomenal!"
BBC Traveling Folk

Ticket prices

Pitchblend work hard to keep all of our events accessible to as many people as possible, while still adequately compensating our expert music leaders. To that end we offer a choice of three price bands, to suit your means, as well as a youth rate. In choosing the appropriate price band, we suggest the following guide:

Supporter: If you can comfortably afford to pay your bills, and more than one or two main holidays each year, please consider paying the supporter rate, which will help us to offer lower cost tickets to those who would otherwise be unable to attend.

Standard: If you can pay all your bills, but don't have a lot of disposable income for discretionary spend, the standard ticket price may be right for you.

Concessionary: For anyone on a low income, in receipt of income based benefits, or who would struggle to pay the standard rate.

Youth: 14-21 years old.

Under 14s free, with responsible adult.

£25/20/15/10 Workshop only
£25/20/15/10 Concert only
£45/35/25/15 Workshop + Concert

If you are able to do so, and would like to make a voluntary donation when buying your ticket, this will help us to offer lower cost or complimentary places to those who need them. The suggested donation amount is £5, but you can set this figure to whatever amount you like.

As always, if you are keen to attend but cost is a barrier for you, please contact us directly to discuss options.

Timings

Workshop 14.30-16.30. Concert 18.30-20.30, with interval.
Doors open thirty minutes before the event.

Tea, coffee, and biscuits will be provided free of charge in the workshop. Refreshments will be available during the concert. The venue is fully accessible.

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