26th August 2020 • 6pm or 8:45pm • London & Online

The Nest Collective invites you to enjoy a beautiful outdoor concert with Nick Hart and Ewan McLennan.

We are very excited to be presenting this series in partnership with Friends of the Earth. They want to double tree cover as part of our fight against climate and nature breakdown. Doubling tree cover could remove 10% of the planet-wrecking emissions in the UK annually. Find out more about Friends of the Earth’s tree campaign, and sign the petition calling for the government to double tree cover, by visiting their website here.

We are thrilled to share the line up of outstanding artists who we will be featuring across the series:

• Saturday 8th August in London: Sam Amidon, Hannah Read

• Wednesday 12th August in London: The Hut People, Kadialy Kouyate

• Saturday 15th August in Sheffield: Rowan Rheingans, Jim Moray

• Wednesday 19th August in Bristol: Dizraeli, Kitty Macfarlane

• Saturday 22nd August in London: Millicent Chapanda, Germa Adan

• Wednesday 26th August in London: Nick Hart, Ewan McLennan

There will be no on-site catering available; you are welcome to bring your own food. Please do not bring your own alcohol, as we will be running a bar.

Nick Hart

Nick Hart is a folk singer deeply rooted in the English tradition. Raised in a family of morris dancers, Nick played instrumental music for many years before discovering his passion for traditional song. Whilst studying for an ethnomusicology degree, he began to explore the large body of recordings of traditional singers from the second half of the 20th century, and this led to several years of fevered study and many nights spent at folk clubs and festivals, honing his skills as an unaccompanied singer.

Nick’s initially hardline attitude to the accompaniment of folk songs has softened over the years, but his love of the nuances of traditional singing informs his minimal guitar accompaniment, and his songs are delivered with a great emphasis on storytelling. His repertoire of songs, drawn largely from his native East Anglia, reflect his understanding of both the depth and breadth of material within the English tradition and he is fast acquiring a reputation as an engaging and entertaining performer.

“Uncluttered, great singing that reminds me of the very best English roots singers… this is the real deal” – Mike Harding

Ewan McLennan

Ewan McLennan first emerged onto the UK folk scene with the release of his debut album ‘Rags & Robes’. The recording gained much critical praise, was described by Maverick as ‘a collection of truly captivating songs’, and featured in MOJO’s top ten folk albums of 2010. After an appearance on the BBC Radio 2 Folk Show and a televised performance for the Celtic Connections Festival at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, his debut was capped by winning the BBC Folk Award’s Horizon Award in 2011.

Ewan’s music was immediately noted for its depth of feeling and sincerity, something which comes from his respect and passion for the music he plays. Whether singing haunting traditional Scottish ballads or weaving the powerful stories that make up his own songs, Ewan’s unique, moving and earthy voice is always compelling. Having performed with and been taught by a number of world-renowned guitarists, from Martin Simpson to Robin Hill and Gerry Douglas, his own guitar playing is recognised as outstanding and forms an essential part of his music.

Keeping you safe

We are taking a number of measures to help everyone feel safe during these concerts, including:

• Significantly reducing our audience numbers
• Operating a safe queuing system at the bar
• Running a paperless, cashless system – card payments only please
• No printed tickets required, our door staff will have your order details
• Staff will be wearing PPE
• Hand sanitiser will be available on arrival, at the bar and at toilets

In return, we ask that you:

• Keep to the timings for the show you have booked
• Show your ticket on a mobile device rather than printed tickets
• Keep a safe distance away from other visitors and staff, and respect the safeguarding wishes of others
• Wash your hands using hand sanitiser at appropriate points
• Support our staff by showing patience whenever queuing is required
• Use your own personal protective equipment (PPE), if you choose to do so
• Regrettably, please do not bring dogs to any of our events
• Keep your belongings with you at all times and take your litter home

Our audiences say:

“The music of all the Campfire Club gigs I went to was outstanding, but what really makes them special is the atmosphere – beautiful, intimate venues, attentive listening and lovely people really make these idyllic ways to spend an evening.”

“This event was phenomenal. I cannot wait until I have an opportunity to attend another one. It was well organised and the musicians were something else. I certainly didn’t feel as though I was in Peckham, but some enchanted woodlands.”

“Walking into a wonderland of nature with beautiful music and people, it made me feel wonderfully elated.”