THE CUCKOO'S NEST FOLK CLUB

(a non-profit collective promoting traditional & roots folk music in London since 1973)

2025-2026 CONCERT SCHEDULE

OUR NEXT CONCERT

MELISANDE

(presented by Sunfest in cooperation with Cuckoo’s Nest Folk Club)

Friday, May 1, 2026 – 8:00 pm

Please Note: Special VENUE for this concert

Met Underground at Metropolitan United Church,

468 Wellington St, London

(Doors at 7:30 pm)

Advance tickets - $25

Celebrating the 10th anniversary of her [Electrotrad] project, Mélisande revisits songs from her repertoire with a traditional Québécois sound, mostly acoustic, surrounded by four seasoned musicians - life partner & former Genticorum member Alexandre de Grosbois-Garand (wooden flute, bass), Jean Desrochers (acoustic guitar), Gabriel Girouard (fiddle, foot stomping) and Éric Breton (percussion). A multiple award-winning singer, Mélisande selected songs from her four previous releases to create the album Rembobine (Rewind). These songs were found by researching folklorists’ collections and archive centres, and by collecting traditional songs from elders along Quebec’s Richelieu River. Mélisande (lead vocal, jaw harp, mandolin) cleverly enlivens the songs of ancestors in a way that invites youth culture to participate in something old made new again. Her rich musical background and her mesmerizing voice give a fresh take on these traditional songs that she adapts and presents with a modern woman’s perspective. With her infectious energy and engaging stage presence, Mélisande gets the crowd stomping, dancing and singing wherever she goes including last summer’s amazing performances at Sunfest ‘25. Video link - Mélisande [trad] - National Folk Festival 2024 - Australia

Mélisande's Rembobine album was nominated for 3 awards (Canadian Folk Music Awards - Solo Artist / Traditional Singer, GAMIQ - Traditional Album). Mélisande was selected for official showcases at the Northern Turtle Island Collective @ Womex ‘24 (UK), Your Roots Are Showing (Ireland) and Folk Alliance International (Montréal, QC). A new album will be released later this year. Visit melisandemusic.com for more on the band.

For Information call 519-319-5847 or e-mail folk@iandavies.com

Presented by Cuckoo’s Nest in cooperation with London Irish Folk Club

MOONFRUITS

Sunday, May 31, 2026 – 7:30 pm

(Food service available from 6:00 – 8:00 pm)

German Canadian Club, 1 Cove Road, London, ON N6J 1H7

Advance tickets - $25

2024 Canadian Folk Music Award nominees Moonfruits (Emerging Act & Producers of the Year) craft contemporary folk that addresses our collective humanity with heart, wit, and wonder. Led by partners Alex Millaire and Kaitlin Milroy, Moonfruits pen songs in both French and English, a reflection of their bilingual lived experience in their hometown of Ottawa. Theirs is the music of open-minded dreamers and diligent doers, confronting dehumanizing capitalism and environmental catastrophe with a rousing message of solidarity. “The future of roots music is in good hands” — Heather Kitching, Roots Music Canada. This Stingray Rising Star, SOCAN, and Trille Or award-winning group has toured their transportive live show across Canada, the US and Europe.

Live, expect a dynamic performance with warm, welcoming harmonies ranging from raucous to whisper quiet, innovative arrangements with bowed guitar and banjo, a little knob-tweaking and a hefty dose of family-fueled storytelling. Singing in English and French, Moonfruits love to open their audiences’ ears and hearts to sounds unfamiliar and adore a good singalong. “a tremendous live act ... they absolutely brought the house down” — Jan Hall, Folk Roots Radio.

Video Link – “Salt” live performance of title track from Moonfruit’s latest album.

For Information call 519-319-5847 or e-mail folk@iandavies.com

All concerts at begin at 7:30 pm and most are held at the German Canadian Club, 1 Cove Road, London (unless otherwise indicated)

Advance tickets can be purchased during the season at Grooves (Wortley Village),

Long & McQuade North (Fanshawe Park Rd W) and online.

For Information call 519-319-5847 or e-mail folk@iandavies.com

Special Advance “5-for-4” Multi-Ticket is available for $100 only at the Concerts
(pay for 4 concerts and get the 5^th one free)

We continue to be a completely volunteer run organization. We thank you for your support of live music and look forward to seeing you at the concerts. – Ian Davies, Artistic Director.

What’s happened so far in the 2025-26 Season

Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025 – Friends of Fiddler’s Green - SOLD OUT!