We are delighted to welcome Cara Dillon, an extraordinary, multiple award-winning Irish folk singer, and acclaimed musician and producer Sam Lakeman to headline our June concert.

Throughout an enviable career which has seen them explore opportunities to tread many different paths – from releasing folk crossover albums on indie label Rough Trade; recording on Disney soundtracks to collaborations with orchestras and even leading dance DJs – Cara has continuously chosen to firmly plant herself within the landscape of her Irish cultural heritage and that’s something to celebrate.

Their enduring partnership has ensured they have remained at the very pinnacle of the folk genre for well over two decades and this performance will feature a selection of acoustic songs from previous releases and may also include material from her highly anticipated 2024 release, “Coming Home”, her first in over six years. Within it Cara effortlessly blurs the lines between spoken word and song to stunning effect, exploring profoundly personal memories, her native Co. Derry and the people, places and customs she holds closest to her heart; revealing a newly found freedom to express herself within the tiniest of details and life’s larger mysteries

Opening the evening will be Heron Island, a duo that sparked into existence on a narrow boat trip on the River Avon in the summer of 2023. Chaz Thorogood and Giles Nuttall, best friends and lifelong musicians, came together after years of performing in other people’s projects to write, record and gig songs which drew on their shared experiences of childhood in the south Devon countryside and their love for honest music built around the guitar. .

Tickets for the concert, which takes place at Christ Church Downend on Friday 20 June 2025, are available online here and from Melanie’s Kitchen in Downend (cash only). They are priced at £20 each in advance or £22 on the door. Doors open at 7.00pm and the music starts around 7.45pm. This event is also included in our Summer Season Ticket.
 
There will be a bar, stocking cider, soft drinks, wine, hot drinks and real ale from locally-based Hop Union Brewery. Audience members are encouraged to bring their own glass/mug/tankard, as well as reusable bottles for water, as part of the drive to be more environmentally aware; there is a 50p discount for those that do. There will also be sweet treats available at the bar courtesy of Radstock-based The Great Cake Company as well as a prize draw, which helps to fund the support artists for each concert.
 
For further information, please email [email protected] or find us on social media.

Terms & Conditions: All tickets are non-transferable. Please note that we operate a strict no-returns policy. Downend Folk & Roots is a "listening venue". Noisy patrons may be ejected from the premises. The organisers reserve the right to ask latecomers to wait for a suitable break in the performance before taking their seats. Our events are photographed and your image may be used online. If you would rather it was not, please speak to a team member when you arrive. By purchasing tickets, you agree to these terms and conditions.

Entry requirements: no age restrictions — Read more — Read less