The Greenbank Folk Club Podcast

The Greenbank Folk Club Podcast shines a light on the musicians, dancers, storytellers and community members who help shape our folk club in East Bristol and other folk clubs, sessions, festivals and gatherings across the UK. Each episode, hosted by folk club founder Alex Garden, offers an intimate conversation with one of our guests — from concert artists and workshop leaders to regulars at our sessions — exploring their musical journeys, their personal connection to folk traditions and the ideas that influence their creative lives.

The podcast grew naturally out of the wider work of Greenbank Folk Club. Based in the heart of Greenbank, we host twice-monthly open sessions, regular ceilidhs, workshops on folk skills and a thriving concert series. Bristol has a rich folk history, with its legendary clubs, such as Bristol Troubador Club, of the 1960s and 70s playing a major role in the folk revival. Re-establishing that culture - and creating a welcoming, contemporary hub for the folk arts - is at the centre of what we do.

Since founding the club in 2024 (following several years running The Greenbank Session, formerly The Rising Sun session), it’s been clear that our community is shaped by a diverse mix of young, queer, neurodivergent and disabled musicians and listeners who feel safe, included and able to participate in ways that suit them. Our open-tradition approach to accessibility in our sessions means there’s never anything to prepare in advance; people join in however they can, no matter their skill level or background.

The podcast continues that ethos of openness. Through these conversations, we explore not only the music itself but also the broader questions facing today’s folk scene: how the tradition is evolving, what it means to create accessible spaces, and the role folk clubs can play in building community, creativity and belonging.

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