'What Remains' Octagonal Chapel, Heptonstall, ft John Haycock, Dan Bridgwood-Hill, Magpahi, Laurel Morgan, Zaffar Kunial

unearthing new sounds from an ancient kingdom

John Haycock performs his new album ’What Remains’ with Dan Bridgwood-Hill at the historic Octagonal Chapel in the hilltop village of Heptonstall.

Not far from 'The Cross’, the chapel was Built in 1764, its unique design of the Grade II listed Octagonal Chapel was overseen by John Wesley who preached there, and creates a very distinctive sonic setting for this gathering of music and story.

Also performing is Magpahi (Alison Cooper) conjuring her folk drenched synths with celestial vocals and Laurel Morgan, with drones and angelic light singing.

Paul Weatherhead (Weird Calderdale) is a writer on Psychogeography of the landscape, touching on insightful anecdotes connecting some of the more stranger happenings in Heptonstall.

Zaffar Kunial is a former Wordsworth Trust Poet-in-Residence who reflects on his connection with the land in the valley. 

There will be snacks and refreshments raising money to fund the maintenance of the chapel, these will be available between acts, feel free to bring a sandwich. Doors will be from 5pm with music from 6pm, Join us for an early evening exploring the other worldly energy of Heptonstall. x

Artist bios:

John Haycock

https://john-haycock.com/

https://john-haycock.bandcamp.com/

One of the most accomplished kora players to emerge in recent years, John trained with Gambian griot and kora master Jali Nyonkoling Kuyateh. His musical journey led him to embrace the fusion of electronic and woodwind elements in his compositions and live performances to create captivating and emotive soundscapes. John was the founder musician with resonance at their inaugural event at the former Post Office Sorting House in Todmorden in January 2023 and again at Hope Baptist Chapel in April of the same year. His new album What Remains will be on sale at the event.

Dan Bridgwood-Hill

Dan, sometimes known as dbh, is a Todmorden based composer, violinist, guitarist and multi-instrumentalist, touring and contributing with artists such as Bridget Hayden and Jim Ghedi.

Along with his solo work, his ability to improvise around other musicians is a remarkable asset. He recently played violin on the acclaimed albums 'Cold Blows the Rain' by Hayden and 'Wasteland', by Ghedi. He is part of the unique duet, a meeting between traditional folk and West African kora. Dan tours with this album with John throughout 2026.

Magpahi

https://www.magpahi.com/

A unique vocal style and adept multi-instrumentalist, Alison works across both acoustic (guitar, flute, piano, recorder, harmonium) and electronic instruments (analogue synthesisers, FX units, and samples). She creates haunting reflections of the valley with her own brand of experimental folk.

Laurel Morgan

https://www.instagram.com/laurelmorganmusic/

Inspired by ancient traditions of grief, folk culture, and psychedelia, exploring the emotional expression of sound as a portal to other states of consciousness. Beyond logic and reason, into the depths of the intangible, formless and vulnerable.

Zaffar Kunial (spoken)

https://www.rcwlitagency.com/authors/kunial-zaffar/

https://www.instagram.com/zaffarkunial/

Following his resonance performance at Harmonicon and The Clavie, Hebden Bridge poet Zaff brings spoken word imagery and magic to our day of music and reflection. He is the author of collections such as Us and England's Green, and is known for his poems that explore themes of identity, language, heritage and local landscapes, and will perform new poetry for the Heptonstall Chapel.

Paul Weatherhead (speaker)

https://paulweatherhead.com/buy-weird-calderdale/

Paul Weatherhead is a native of the Calder Valley and the author of the local bestseller Weird Calderdale, which reflects his longstanding fascination with the stranger corners of local history.

His other books and articles explore mass hysteria, ghost hoaxes and psychedelic folklore.

Paul is also a musician, having played electric mandolin with a cult folk rock group, the theremin with a Hebden Bridge psychedelic band as well as composing his solo work of comic folk horror songs inspired by 60s psychedelia, 80s video nasties and the Hebden Bridge Times.

 Jacqueline Anderson and the Octagonal Chapel (speakers)

Academic Jacqueline will discuss the threats to the area and how to channel our collective energy for positive stewardship of the land. Mel and Lloyd, current custodians of the chapel will also highlight details of the space.

We look forward to seeing you there!