Juniper LIVE in Cardiff + Chris Avery

Juniper is a contemporary folk band that emerged from the vibrant Birmingham music scene. Bringing together musicians with diverse musical backgrounds, the group has developed a distinctive sound that draws on traditional Celtic influences while incorporating elements from a broad range of genres. The band’s members bring experience from a variety of musical disciplines, including orchestral music, funk, Americana, house music and rock. These influences sit alongside a strong foundation in folk traditions, creating an approach that respects traditional forms while embracing contemporary musical ideas. Alongside their concert performances, Juniper has established itself as an experienced ceilidh band, performing at festivals, weddings, celebrations and public events throughout the United Kingdom. Their work combines traditional dance music from England, Scotland and Ireland with an accessible and energetic performance style. Juniper has built a reputation through both live performance and original recordings. The band specialises in self-penned material inspired by Celtic musical traditions, presenting original compositions alongside arrangements rooted in folk music. In 2024, Juniper released Framework, an album described by the band as a collection of traditional and contemporary sounds that reflects their genre-crossing approach. This was followed by their second album, Halfway Home, developed and recorded in collaboration with award-winning percussionist and producer Cormac Byrne, known for his work with The Haar and the Seth Lakeman Band. Released in 2025, Halfway Home further developed the band’s sound, combining Celtic-influenced compositions with a wider palette of contemporary musical influences. The title of Halfway Home reflects the band’s experience of touring and performing across the country, balancing life on the road with connections to home, family and community. Support Act Chris Avery is a Welsh guitarist-composer. His work bridges ancient melody and contemporary performance, shaped by a deep engagement with Welsh folk song, dance music, and classical repertoire. His meditative arrangements for guitar and voice rework these materials through a modern lens. He has appeared on stages from Glastonbury to Shakespeare’s Globe, and on broadcasts from BBC Radio 2’s Folk Show to Radio 3’s In Tune. His live work moves freely between traditions, creating unexpected pairings. Traditional dance music set against Bach, modal jazz moving into modern minimalism. This concert is not about preservation, it’s about imagination. Old melodies are heard not as museum pieces, but as living music.