Midnight Skyracer, an all-female bluegrass quintet, are the latest stars to feature in Bournemouth Folk Club’s impressive autumn season and will be appearing this Saturday 16 October.

The club meets every month in its new venue of the spacious Grade II listed St Ambrose Church at the top of Alum Chine.

Formed in 2017, Midnight Skyracer perform folk infused bluegrass with amazing vocal harmonies and virtuoso playing.

With the acclaimed Carrivick Sisters, Laura and Charlotte at the band’s heart, the line-up also includes Eleanor Wilkie and the powerhouse vocals of Leanne Thorose who was nominated for the International Bluegrass Music Association Momentum Vocalist of the Year award.

Vera van Heeringen is standing in for usual band member Tabitha Benedict, who lives in the USA and is unable to travel.

The Skyracers were also the first British act nominated for an award by the International Bluegrass Music Association.

Following the release of debut album Fire in February 2018, the band released their follow up album in June 2020 on Island Records.

Shadows On the Moon, recorded at Peter Gabriel’s Real World Studios in Wiltshire, is a mix of hard-driven bluegrass and mountain balladry.

Expect two 45-minute sets of music with a 20-minute interval, and a bar offering a selection of soft and alcoholic drinks will be available. Some Covid safety measures are still in place, including reduced capacity.

Doors open at 7.30pm, music from 8 pm. For more information or to book, see https://bournemouthfolkclub.com/

Still to come in the autumn season are:

● Martyn Joseph – Thursday 25 November

Known as the ‘Welsh Bruce Springsteen’ and known for including Boss covers in his set, Martyn Joseph is an amazing songwriter and guitarist whose career spans four decades.

● Jackie Oates Trio – Saturday 18 December

After 17 years and seven solo albums Jackie Oates must surely be considered one of the mainstays of an accomplished, informed and stylistically individual English traditional music scene.  She will be joined by double bassist John Parker and accordionist/pianist Mike Cosgrove, for a Christmas show to the close the season.