An special Kickstarter evening with GAVIN FAIRHALL LEVER at Cafe No9

Event information

This show is part of GFL's recent Kickstarter campaign to raise funds to record their brand new album 'Tearing Down Walls'. All ticket holders for this event will receive a complimentary digital copy of the album!!

GAVIN FAIRHALL LEVER are a stunning explosion of colour in the wild and unruly garden of the
London folk scene. A tangle of roots from Northern Ireland, Cornwall and Norfolk gives exuberant life to a truly contemporary folk music, full of thorns and flowers. The trio bring together the exhilarating, joyful tumble of Celtic trad, a melodic warmth, vibrant rhythmic invention, and the subtle expressivity of jazz harmony. Tunes unfold like stories, with dynamic and textured arrangements keeping the pages turning, from chapters of luminous stillness into passages of unstoppable drive. All performed with a compelling combination of fire, precision and mongrel bite.

The trio have become renowned for their captivating live performances (“flawless” - FolkLondon), including at Caceres Irish Fleadh (Spain), Zilleghem Folk (Belgium), Broadstairs Folk Festival, and Celtic Connections Glasgow. Following on from the success of their debut record (“One of my top favourites of the year... Brilliant.” - RnR ****), their second album was recorded live to tape at Analogue Catalogue Studios in Northern Ireland with Julie McLarnon (Lankum, Alasdair Roberts, Brian Eno), and will be released in February 2025.

‘Their eponymous debut captur[es] the close-knit improvisational nature of their live performance...The three meld closely to work as one...circling in a perfectly balanced orbit around the tune. Their playing is nuanced as an ensemble and as soloists, rising wraithlike up through the music.’ Songlines

‘The vibrant trio bring their multi-instrumental talents to an impressive collection of mostly original material that is an absolute blast to listen to. One of my top favourites of the year... Brilliant.’ RnR ****

‘GAVIN FAIRHALL LEVER’s ecstatic and adventurous music is a giddy series of tone poems; the
sizzling, smoking fiddle and the insistent, questing guitar dart wild and free over a solid anchor of the double bass...razor-sharp composing and surefire musical virtuosity.’ FolkWales

Known for his consistently strong collaborative work at the forefront of London’s thriving folk
scene, with TEYR, The Rad Orchestra, and Jez Hellard, multi-instrumentalist and composer
James Patrick Gavin creates music that dances a line between tradition and irreverence. His
work has been described as ‘High energy brilliance’ - Folk Radio UK,

‘Hugely impressive’ - fRoots, and ‘Dazzling’ - RnR Magazine.

This trio showcases Gavin’s mastery of the full expressive range of the violin. ‘The sound of today’s London Irish’ - Mark Radcliffe BBC Radio 2.

Adrian Lever has played on stages from Lewes Guitar Festival to the Barbican. ‘Outstanding
musicianship’ - Rainlore’s World. He performs with leading English folk fiddlers John Dipper &
Emily Askew as part of Alma - ‘Seductive.. spry, intelligent’ (Sunday Times). Lever’s clear tenor
voice delivers the songs of the trio, while his seasoned and steady guitarist’s hand forms the
rhythmic heart, complete with characteristic Balkan and flamenco stylings.

Tim Fairhall contributes a distinctive style, coming from a background in contemporary jazz,
improv and post- classical electronica. His playing has been described as ‘First class.. rounded
beauty’ (Jazz Journal). He has performed on stages as diverse as Cologne Philharmonic and
Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club, and with musicians ranging from Sephardic singer Yasmin Levy to the
piano/laptop-led trio Piano Interrupted; he brings an improvisational alertness and sensitivity,
jazz musicianship and an adventurous spirit to the trio.

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Please note this ticket price DOES include a BYOB fee should you wish to bring alcohol to the venue.

All additional purchases of drinks and sweet treats from the cafe counter are always very much appreciated.