Hands of the Heron + support from Anna Anise at Waverley Bar

Bristol-based psychfolk trio Hands of the Heron is a long-running collaboration between Bec Garthwaite, Beth Roberts & Claire Vine , each of whom brings a signature songwriting style to the band. Moving effortlessly between sparse choral folk and shimmering instrumental textures, their interlocking vocal harmonies are a constant thread running through the various hues of their dreamlike, mercurial songs. Their third album Quiet Light (Cuculi Records, 22 Nov 2024) is a seamless expression of blend and balance that explores the tension between tending for yourself and connecting with others. 

The band founded Cuculi Records together as a DIY space to release their own albums, as well as music by friends & collaborators from the grassroots alt-folk community. Esteemed jazz critic Ted Gioia recommended their second album 13 Moons as one of his top recordings for 2021, which has also been described as “a wondrous collection of curious story-songs, choral singing and carefully layered instrumentation” (Joyzine) with “exquisite versatility and insight” (God Is In The TV Zine) and “songwriting mastery that perfectly delivers reverberating folk-pop” (Tap The Feed). 

They’ve played a diverse range of festivals, including Fire in the Mountain, Purbeck Valley Folk, Green Man, Summer’s End Prog Festival and Fanny’s Meadow. In 2023, they sold out a double bill with Rachael Dadd at St Ambrose Bristol, as well as gigs at Exeter Library, The Barrelhouse, Plymouth Aquarium and Outlandish Nights. In 2024, they’re headlining prog event Eppyfest, alongside gigs at Bristol Folk Festival and The Harrison All-Day Folk Fest in London, before embarking on a UK album release tour in the autumn with support from songwriter & labelmate Anna Anise.

https://www.facebook.com/handsoftheheron
https://handsoftheheron.bandcamp.com/

Support from the night is by Anna Anise 
Anna is a warm summer breeze of trad-influenced folk, captivating audiences with her lyrical storytelling and glorious melodies. Anna’s passion for community through music is evident in her infectious energy onstage and ability to bring a whole room together with a hooky chorus. 
Genres: trad folk, alt folk, singer-songwriter, acoustic / For fans of: The Staves, Joni Mitchell, First Aid Kit, Laura Marling
http://linktr.ee/annaanise