The Lost Notes will bring their three-part harmonies and story-led folk and Americana songs to St Helen’s Church in Abingdon this September, with support from singer-songwriter Anna Renae.
At a glance
| Event | The Lost Notes with support from Anna Renae |
| When | Thursday 3 September 2026 |
| Where | St Helen’s Church, West St Helen Street, Abingdon, OX14 5EH |
| Doors | 7pm |
| Support | Anna Renae at 7.15pm |
| Main act | The Lost Notes, due on stage at approximately 8pm |
| Tickets | £15 face value, with booking fees applying online |
| Age guidance | All ages, with under-16s accompanied by an adult |
| Booking | Music at the Unicorn |
Folk and Americana act The Lost Notes will return to Abingdon on Thursday 3 September as Music at the Unicorn continues its concert programme at St Helen’s Church.
The Birmingham-based group has developed a following for lively performances built around original songwriting, acoustic roots music and close three-part vocal harmonies.
The concert also has a strong local connection. Organisers say members of the group have roots in Abingdon, while the band has previously appeared at the Unicorn Theatre, including a sold-out concert in December 2024.
Pop and folk singer-songwriter Anna Renae will open the evening, with doors at 7pm and music beginning at 7.15pm.
What audiences can expect from The Lost Notes
The Lost Notes combine folk and Americana with touches of country, blues, pop, soul and jazz.
Their songs move between the heartfelt and the cheerfully unusual, exploring characters and stories involving love, hope, disappointment, bankers, mermaids, mules and what the group describes as Greco-Roman health and safety failings.
The band’s sound is rooted in three-part harmony, with energetic performances designed to draw audiences into the songs rather than keep them at a polite distance.
The Lost Notes are normally a five-piece acoustic roots band, although the group’s current live dates page lists the Abingdon appearance as a trio performance.
Their official biography describes their live shows as ranging from full-band festival performances to more intimate trio concerts, with both formats centred on original songs and vocal harmony.
Good Luck Shoes and a national folk award
The concert follows the release of Good Luck Shoes, the group’s third studio album.
The record continues the band’s mix of Americana, folk and country songwriting while bringing in influences from soul, gospel and jazz.
The Lost Notes were named Band/Duo of the Year in the FATEA Awards for 2024, recognising their growing profile on the British folk and acoustic music circuit.
The group has since continued performing at venues and festivals around the UK, with further appearances scheduled after Abingdon at Liverpool Philharmonic’s Music Room, Seaford Sessions and Portugal’s Costa Festival.
For Abingdon audiences, the September concert offers the chance to hear the songs in one of the band’s more intimate trio settings.
An Abingdon return for the band
The Lost Notes have a history with Music at the Unicorn and the town.
The band played the Unicorn Theatre in September 2022 and returned for a sold-out performance in December 2024. Its own concert archive describes Abingdon as an old home town for one of the group’s members.
That connection is expected to bring friends, family and established local supporters to the St Helen’s concert.
Mike Ward, chairman of Music at the Unicorn, said the move to St Helen’s had allowed the organisation to continue presenting live music while the Abbey Buildings undergo renovation.
He said: “It’s wonderful to see our brilliant songwriters and performers in another beautiful historic building. In short, it’s the same but different.”
Anna Renae to open the evening
Support comes from Anna Renae, a pop and folk singer-songwriter whose music draws on personal storytelling and what she describes as the complexities of everyday life.
Renae has roots in Lancashire and Northumberland, studied Popular Music at the University of Liverpool and is now based in Southampton.
Her acoustic, story-led style should make her a natural fit for an evening centred on songwriting and vocal performance.
She is due to begin at 7.15pm, before The Lost Notes take to the stage at approximately 8pm.
Why Music at the Unicorn has moved to St Helen’s
Music at the Unicorn usually stages its concerts in the medieval Unicorn Theatre within Abingdon Abbey Buildings.
The concert series has temporarily moved to St Helen’s Church while the building phase of a major enhancement project takes place at the Abbey site.
The Abbey Buildings project is expected to cost £5.4 million and is intended to conserve the historic structures while improving access, facilities and their future use as a community and cultural venue.
Music at the Unicorn says all of its remaining 2026 concerts will be staged at St Helen’s.
The move gives the volunteer-run organisation a larger concert space while preserving the historic setting that has become part of its identity.
Music at the Unicorn is a not-for-profit community organisation run entirely by volunteers. It has been presenting concerts in Abingdon for more than 15 years, bringing established performers to the town while also creating opportunities for emerging musicians and singer-songwriters.
A historic riverside concert setting
St Helen’s is one of Abingdon’s most significant historic buildings.
The Grade I-listed church stands close to the meeting of the rivers Thames and Ock. Its origins may date back to the late seventh or early eighth century, although much of the surviving building is medieval.
It is particularly unusual because it is wider than it is long, the result of aisles and chapels being added over several centuries.
Among its most important features are the late 14th-century painted ceiling panels in the Lady Chapel.
The church remains an active place of worship but also regularly hosts concerts and community events, making it a natural temporary home for Music at the Unicorn.
Planning your visit
| Date | Thursday 3 September 2026 |
| Venue | St Helen’s Church, West St Helen Street, Abingdon, OX14 5EH |
| Doors | 7pm |
| Music starts | 7.15pm with Anna Renae |
| Main act | Approximately 8pm |
| Ticket price | £15 face value; online booking fees apply |
| In-person sales | Frend & Co, 29 Broad Street, Abingdon, OX14 3LH |
| Online sales | TicketSource or WeGotTickets |
| On the door | Subject to availability |
| Access | Level access to the main areas and accessible toilets are listed. Contact the organiser in advance about specific seating or access requirements. |
The nearest public parking is off West St Helen Street, although spaces can fill for busy events. Visitors should allow time to park or consider walking into the town centre where practical.
Remaining Music at the Unicorn concerts in 2026
| Date | Main act | Support |
|---|---|---|
| Thursday 3 September | The Lost Notes | Anna Renae |
| Thursday 1 October | Sarah Yeo | Lesley Pike |
| Thursday 15 October | Chris While and Julie Matthews | Adam Matthews |
| Thursday 5 November | Gilmore & Roberts | Rob Clamp |
| Thursday 3 December | Janice Burns and Jon Doran | Wednesday’s Wolves |
All remaining 2026 Music at the Unicorn concerts are due to take place at St Helen’s Church. Dates, performers and ticket availability should be checked through musicattheunicorn.org.uk before travelling.
FAQs
When are The Lost Notes playing in Abingdon?
The Lost Notes will perform at St Helen’s Church on Thursday 3 September 2026.
What time does the concert begin?
Doors open at 7pm. Anna Renae begins at 7.15pm, with The Lost Notes expected on stage at approximately 8pm.
Where is the concert?
The concert is at St Helen’s Church on West St Helen Street in Abingdon, OX14 5EH.
Who is supporting The Lost Notes?
Pop and folk singer-songwriter Anna Renae will open the concert.
Will the full five-piece band perform?
The Lost Notes normally performs as a five-piece or trio. The band’s current live dates page lists the Abingdon concert as a trio performance.
How much are tickets?
The face-value ticket price is £15. Online booking fees apply, and tickets on the door will be subject to availability.
Is the concert suitable for children?
The ticket listing describes the event as open to all ages. Anyone under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
Why is Music at the Unicorn using St Helen’s Church?
The concert series has temporarily moved while the building phase of the Abingdon Abbey Buildings enhancement project is under way. All remaining Music at the Unicorn concerts in 2026 are scheduled for St Helen’s.
Where can people book?
Tickets can be booked through Music at the Unicorn, TicketSource or WeGotTickets.
