Lots of Great Music for 2024!
We are pleased to announce a list of dates in 2024. We will meet on the 1st and 3rd Sunday of each month.
Cash only on the door please, £8 for guest nights, £2 for Singers Nights. Doors open at 7.30 for 8pm start
and we look forward to seeing you all very soon
Sunday 7th January Singers Night
Sunday 21st January The Rob Connelly Band
This semi-acoustic trio with an alt-folk style has been described as “almost country with a touch of rock’n’roll”. They are a folky mix of the Eagles, Paul Simon, The Wandering Hearts and the Beautiful South, to name a few, with an emphasis on lots of gorgeous harmonies. They are from Chepstow and have been playing together for over 6 years gradually honing into a tight, harmonic sound based in searching and deep thinking songs. They have played several local festivals and are looking to *wow* a whole new audience with their fun, dynamic and original set. https://www.robconnollyband.com/
Sunday 4th February Singers Night
Sunday 18th February Old Friends
Old Friends have been performing together for the past five years, after finding themselves singing the same songs at their local folk club in Bristol. Howard Jones’ accomplished finger- style achieves a unique sound from a single guitar that is complimented by harmonised vocals from John Plumridge. Their attention to style and authenticity is impressive, as are the sweet vocals. They sing the songs that mean the most to them, from across a diverse spectrum of acoustic singer songwriters who have made their mark on the folk genre, most notably in their case,Paul Simon, but many others too. Whoever said nostalgia isn’t what it used to be, needs to come and see Old Friends!
Sunday 3rd March Singers Night
Sunday 17th March Dragons Breath
From the mystic landscape of South Wales comes this idiosyncratic fusion of musicians. Offering a captivating treasury of songs and tunes, Dragons Breath celebrates the rich diversity of humanity from merriment to misery. They have played for festivals, concerts, folk clubs, ceilidhs, twmpathau, weddings, fundraisers, street parties and back gardens throughout Wales and the borders. www.dragons-breath.co.uk
Sunday 7th April Singers Night
Sunday 21st April Craig and Willoughby
Cathryn Craig is from Richmond, Virginia and has built a strong reputation as both singer and songwriter. She is no stranger to Tennessee´s Nashville recording studios, working with Chet Atkins, The Righteous Brothers, Shel Silverstein, Jorma Kaukonen and Garth Brooks.Brian Willoughby is best known for his virtuoso performances on electric and acoustic guitar. As well as playing with the Strawbs in the 80s and 90s, Brian has been a session player/sideman in much demand, playing with the likes of Mary Hopkin, Roger Whittaker, Monty Python, Joe Brown and Jim Diamond and Nanci Griffith.“They catch a mood that could produce goosebumps on sheet metal (The Glasgow Herald)“Traditional songs and delicately crafted originals by assured performers with formidable story-telling abilities“ (Record Collector) “Sublime guitar work and one of the finest voices around“ (Folking.com) www.craigandwilloughby.com
Sunday 5th May Katie Grace Harris with Mike Weaver
Katie’s first “instrument” is her distinctive pure voice – she uses it to draw her audiences into the story she is telling with ‘spine-tingling’ results. Her engaging live performances usually feature her playing a range of instruments including Piano, Piano Accordion, Dulcimer and Shruti Box. She can often be seen toting a home-made chess board stomp box and a pair of sturdy boots for a full one-woman-band experience! Katie traces her folk roots to singing along as a girl with her Dad as they drove around in the rusty family Triumph Toledo. ‘We would sing songs from Joni Mitchell, The Spinners, Ralph McTell and James Taylor.’ These early experiences clearly influenced her own musical sound. Her repertoire ranges from gentle new arrangements of traditional songs alongside raw and exposed original compositions. Her well-crafted live sets combine historic legends and stories with a smattering of social justice to temper the mix. https://www.katiegraceharris.com/ Cheltenham-born singer/songwriter Mike Weaver’s stop-start career has spanned six decades. His new album, The Greyest Bits, features fresh recordings of some of the most popular songs he has composed and performed over the years, all written between 1978 and 2022. He first sang live in the late 1970s, but was always a reluctant performer, preferring to write and share his music with small groups and friends in more intimate surroundings. Working as an illustrator and journalist as his day job, Mike met and encouraged many musicians in those early days. He started his own marketing and publishing business in 1989, and largely withdrew from the music scene before quitting completely in 1997, when his twin daughters were born. Sixteen years later he picked up his guitar and found his true voice. Encouraged by a few artists he’d supported through his newspaper columns and blogs, he began to write music again. Returning with a greater depth and sensitivity that comes with maturity, there were some thought-provoking new songs, and re-workings of earlier numbers to match life’s experience too. It took time. The hairline receded, the hair colour changed (naturally), the keys were moved up and down. www.mikeweavermusic.com
Sunday 19th May Singers Night
Sunday 2nd June LocTup Together
LocTup Together, Chris Lock and Ian Tupling (hence the name!) are a close-harmony duo who have been singing together for over thirty years. Their repertoire is varied and encompasses both traditional and contemporary folk songs, some self-penned and a few humorous ones thrown in for good measure. Their strong affinity with maritime songs – not just shanties, but sea songs with stories – has taken them to festivals all over Europe, both as LocTup Together and as part of the acclaimed maritime group, Four ‘n’ Aft. They do regular performances at the Ellesmere Port Boat Museum singing songs of the canals and waterways and also on the lovely traditional barge ‘Gifford’, occasionally being towed by a horse whilst they sing! (They tell us that the horse is singularly unimpressed)!!! As well as performing throughout the UK, they have sung at festivals in Poland, Germany, France, The Netherlands, Ireland, the Channel Islands, Norway and the Åland Islands https://loctuptogether.wordpress.com/
Sunday 16th June Singers Night
With their own unique flavour of delicate-but-distinctive folk, Fly Yeti Fly are guaranteed to put a smile on your face. Blending rich vocal harmonies with intricate guitar arrangements, mandolin and harmonica, and with a warmth of spirit that radiates from the stage, the Wiltshire-based duo weave songs and stories about connection, community and the seasons, with a sound that is reminiscent of the late-’60s folk scene. Now living on their canal boat on the Kennet & Avon, their music is heavily influenced by the ebb and flow of life on the water. “…fly yeti fly are a seriously incredible duo…just stunning…”James Santer, BBC Introducing Devon flyyetifly.com
Sunday 7th July Fly Yeti Fly
Sunday 14th July – Forest Folk Club at Coleford Music Festival – 2.30pm to 5pm
Forest Folk Club is presenting an afternoon of musical entertainment with some of our regular contributors between 2.30pm and 5 pm on the Newland Street stage on Sunday 14th July. Do come along and support us! https://colefordmusicfestival.co.uk/
Sunday 21st July Singers Night
Sunday 4th August. Si Barron
Si Barron is a folk singer and songwriter based in Devon. He has a deep relationship with English traditional music and a gift for turning time-honoured melodies into foot tapping anthems. With his rich voice and intense driving guitar sound, which can switch from fast and boisterous to measured and moving, Si communicates an infectious love of English music through his exciting renditions of the tradition. ‘I think he’s a really, really fine guitarist and an even finer interpreter of traditional and contemporary folk songs’ Mike Harding. The Folk Show. Radio 2 sibarron.co.uk
Sunday 18th August Singers Night
Sunday 1st September. Singers Night
Sunday 15th September Carrie Martin
Carrie is a true born and bred Yorkshire lass, born in Hull. She first picked up a guitar at the age of four and made her first public performance at the tender age of nine, playing at a school concert.She later played clubs alongside her father, who worked the circuit as a guitarist and vocalist. In 2011 came the real turning point when she attended a Gordon Giltrap concert only to be invited to step in as support act when the opening act backed out. Encouraged enormously by Gordon, she played and sang a short set of cover versions, and even accompanied him at one point.From this, and with Gordon’s support, she began to rebuild her musical career. She quite soon put out her first release, a seven-track EP entitled Luna, which gathered some favourable attention. When she sent a copy to Gordon, he responded with amazement at the quality of her songwriting, saying that he had no idea she was such a strong writer as well as performer.It was at this point that he really stepped in to become her chief mentor and an extremely close friend, and she puts a great deal of the success she has had down to his friendship and unflagging support. “It’s pretty obvious from the moment you hear Carrie Martin sing that she is an outstanding vocalist with passion in each breath. Don’t be too sidetracked by that voice and stage persona and well-crafted songs, because you might just miss the fact that she is a fine guitar player as well!” Gordon Giltrap carriemartin.co.uk
Sunday 6th October Cobblers Child
Cobblers Child are a four piece band of multi-instrumentalists hailing from Gloucestershire who perform their unique arrangements of folk music from the British Isles and further afield. Along with tales from the Inland Waterways they bring tunes and songs, traditional and modern, as well as their own compositions. Not your average band, they bring an energy to every audience and with the rare Northumbrian Pipes their sound stands out from the crowd! cobblerschild.co.uk
Sunday 20th October Singers Night
Sunday 3rd November Singers Night
Sunday 17th November. Anthony John Clarke
Described by Fairport Convention as a National Treasure, this singer-songwriter has been an integral part of the UK music scene for 30 years. Originally from Belfast, AJ emerged there with his songs ‘The Broken Years’ and ‘The Only Life Gloria Knows’, but now presents as one of the most
humorous and entertaining acts around. Audiences cannot resist the musical invitations to sing from this true gentleman of the music world. Expect a degree of sentiment, but also songs covering topics from the Man From Uncle to Car Boot Sales, Presidents, Karaoke Nights, Nuns, Grandchildren and how to avoid them (he has at least five), Camping, Bigots, and Hitchhiking. This man is perhaps the funniest at serious songs and the most serious about funny songs. Enjoy the ride with AJ and everyone is advised to bring all necessary medication! anthonyjohnclarke.com
Sunday 1st December. Reivers Gallows
Reivers’ Gallows are a bunch of Gloucestershire Pirates that are influenced by traditional songs and tunes. They put them in a barrel, toss them around a bit, then perform them in their own way. They are fiddle-driven (having two crew members, Bron and Kris, on violins), with Lee on lead vocals and guitar/banjo, Phil on cajon and Flog on bass. They love performing tunes where the fiddles take centre stage and get the crowd dancing and have performed at Brixham Pirate Festival, Fantasy Forest, Tewkesbury Med Fest and Field 8 during Cropredy to name but a few More than anything, they like to show that music can cross many boundaries and should be inclusive. https://www.facebook.com/ReiversGallows
Sunday 15th December. Christmas Singers Night