Chris Cleverly & Jess Vincent

Birmingham Dream Folk Songwriter Chris Cleverley is joining with Wiltshire troubador Jess Vincent for a rare and intimate solo acoustic hometown concert here at The Heath Bookshop!

Chris Cleverley

Chris Cleverley was born under a solstice moon, in the honeysuckle mysticism of a late 80s Midsummer. As his fledgling days unfurled, the symbolic sounds of ‘Hunky Dory’, ‘Graceland’ and ‘Ladies of The Canyon’ echoed from the woodchip walls of the South Birmingham terrace where he was raised; quiet and curious, saturnine and shy. Here, the soul of a young artist was shaped.Fast-forward three decades; With five nationally acclaimed records under his belt, and ringing endorsements from The Times, Telegraph and BBC6 Music, 2x FATEA ‘Male Artist of the Year’ Chris Cleverley is described as “One of the most vital voices of his Folk generation” (KLOF). His boundary-shattering ‘Dream-Folk’ songwriting now sits on the cutting edge of acoustic music. 

Exploring powerful, human themes from displaced people to the fragile beauty of our natural world, we travel with him from the arid deserts of Syria, to the rich Mediterranean sunsets of the Cretan coastline; a captivating voyage of place, landscape, season and self. With a compendium of songs for the misfits, steeped in love, joy, grief, anxiety and empathy, his truly immersive performance unites each individual in the room on their own journey towards finding a place in this head-spinning modern world. 

A true guitar-man, his breathtaking fingerstyle technique dances above lush ambient soundscapes, drawing comparisons ranging from Lo-fi American Greats, Elliott Smith & Sufjan Stevens to UK guitar royalty John Martyn & Nic Jones; a curious tapestry weaved from the hazy psychedelia of the 60s folk revival and the soulful oblivion of the 90s Pacific Northwest. Whether you like your folk music contemporary or classic, Chris Cleverley has you covered. With replenishing calm and warm humour, this unique one-man live show occupies the space between concert performance and yoga nidra meditation; plunging audiences head first into a revitalising journey that promises to leave them feeling that little bit more wholesome than when they arrived.

Hauntingly serene. Effortlessly 21st Century.

"Rather Lovely Electro-Folk" - Radcliffe & Maconie - BBC 6 MUSIC

"The feel of Elliott Smith and Sufjan Stevens" ★★★★ - Scottish Daily Express

"Frighteningly brilliant works" - The Daily Star 

Jess Vincent

Jess Vincent is a singer-songwriter with a distinctive and compelling voice. Following an inspiring chapter living in Bulgaria, she has returned to England with renewed energy and creativity. Now working on a brand-new album and touring with her acclaimed album Lions Den, Jess weaves heartfelt storytelling with mesmerising melodies. Her performances are a unique blend of fresh, new material and cherished originals, reflecting an artist truly rediscovering her passion.

“..one of the brightest stars out there… Vincent’s crystal-clear vocals sending shivers down the spine. ” Malcolm Carter PennyBlack Music“Soulful, strong and utterly engrossing” Mick Tems, Folk Wales“uniquely and obliquely original” - Rock’n’Reel R2

See you there!

Catherine & Claire