What’s On

SHOWCASE
Friday 12th August

At The Royal British Legion
7:30 for 8pm to 11pm
£7 cash or card on the door

Featuring … Terence Blacker

Here is a fabulous artist who will make you laugh out loud with his satirical words which will gell with you and me (it’s our age). Terence’s career as a songwriter and singer has taken him to musical and literary festivals around the world, to theatres and folk clubs. A one-man show of songs and stories to the Edinburgh Festival. On the radio, he sang his version of Noel Coward’s ‘Bad Times Are Just Around the Corner’ on the day before an election of Radio 4’s news programme The World At One.
https://terenceblacker.com

Along with
Phil Crawford

Born 1964 in USA. Grew up a military child living both in the United States and Europe. Some say “he’s a troubled soul”,  others say “he’s a charismatic musical troubadour”.
I say he is a lovely singer song writer with his original songs and well chosen covers and a beautiful Gibson Guitar J45
www.philcrawford.co.uk

Along with
Luke Jame Williams

Luke has received glowing reviews for his engaging and emotive live performances and has supported artists such as Megson, Mark Chadwick (Levellers) and The Little Unsaid. Releasing his debut EP ‘Drove’ in November 2018, Luke gained huge support from BBC6 Music DJ Tom Robinson who made ‘Still In Bed’ his 6 Music Recommends Track Of The Week in April 2019, later naming it his Track Of The Year So Far in July. The song was also played across the station by Lauren Laverne, Steve Lamacq and Tom Ravenscroft. Elsewhere, Luke has received airplay from Amazing Radio and BBC Introducing and has been playlisted by Folk Radio UK.
https://www.lukejameswilliams.co.uk

Along with
Colin Frid

A favourite over the years. He has a “one of a kind voice” and the most beautiful Martin guitar with a choice of songs, either original or from other writers that always compliments his performance.

Along with
Shorelines

A local band, who have been busy rehearing recording and now performing acoustic favourites from every era including covers of folk, indie, pop and Americana.

Sue Johnson  Vocals, Catherine Hunter Vocals, Ann Paul  Acoustic guitar, Richard Baldry Electric guitar, Kevin Sporle           Percussion/vocals, Brooke Bond Double bass
https://www.facebook.com/shorelinesmusic

SHOWCASE
Friday 9th September

At The Royal British Legion
7:30 for 8pm to 11pm
£7 cash or card on the door

Featuring …
Wickenwood

Along with …
Rhys Wilson

Rhys has never stopped writing, performing and recording. His current album ‘Moving Forward’  was released on March 7th 2020 The new album ‘Diary Days’ is also out now.
http://www.rhyswilson.co.uk/

Along with …
Kelly Burkitt & Hart

Folk ‘supergroups’ don’t emerge that often in Suffolk, but this year it happened!
Matt Kelly is a fiddle, viola and mandolin multi-instrumentalist and songwriter from Bury St Edmunds; Ross Burkitt is a singer/guitarist/mandolinist songwriter based on the Deben peninsula; and Graham Hart, based in Diss, is a songwriter influenced by West Coast harmony bands, blending folk and country rock with a nod to Leonard Cohen. Graham’s latest album (also featuring Matt) is Lost Horse Mine.

Along with …
The Buch Band

‘The Buch Band’ is Chris Walls, Martyn Hewitt, Chris Brimley and (if we can twist his arm) Richard Norris – a young at heart band of ‘old guys’ enjoying music and hoping to entertain with our varied set list of twisted covers. Still young at heart we are slowly pillaging a lifetime of music to find “our songs”.

Along with …
Thursday’s Band

One of the UK’s most intriguing acoustic bands – Mark Gamon (guitar, vocals and songs); Matt Kelly (fiddle, viola, mandolin, vocals and songs); and Rhys Wilson (guitar and vocals). Much of the repertoire focuses on our own songs, with live sets broken up by sympathetic covers and exuberant tunes. Six years in, the entire band are agreed: this is the best thing we’ve ever done. Thursday’s Band have released two full albums – Chittagong Tattoo and All We Have in Common – both available from www.clunkandrattle.com and www.thursdaysband.bandcamp.com

SHOWCASE
Friday 30th September

At The Royal British Legion
7:30 for 8pm to 11pm
£7 cash or card on the door

Featuring …
Chris Fox

A genre defying Folk troubadour Chris made rapid progress through the UK folk and roots scene with his song writing, utilising a variety of styles across the roots lexicon of traditional & contemporary folk, Americana, Country and Blues. Audiences are enthralled by his rich vocals, complex guitar playing, and loop pedal alchemy finding Chris to be humorous &  thought provoking in equal measures. His naturally laid back, unostentatious style creates the perfect ambience for an intimate and inclusive live experience drawing listeners in with tales of both the everyday and the unexpected.

Born and raised in Cambridgeshire, Chris Fox cut his teeth playing for pints in local drinking establishments along the river Great Ouse in 2014. Fast forward to an award-winning singer songwriter, Chris has performed at Folk Festivals, Clubs and Theatres in the UK  as Headliner, in Double Bills and as support for major acts on the UK Folk Scene. Runner up in the Bury St Edmunds song competition he went on to win the Sheringham Showcase to open for Fairport Convention at Folk on The Pier 2018 and the Lichfield Folk Festival song writing competition 2019. Chris has played Cambridge Folk festival 3 times including a packed out set in The Den. Now playing headline gigs Chris supports some of the greats including Peter Knights  Gigspanner Trio, Peter Knight & John Spiers, Jim Moray, Trials of Cato, Boo Hewerdine, Lucy Ward, Grannie Attic, Kathryn Roberts & Sean Lakeman, Edwina Hayes and Ange Hardy. Chris released his first studio album ‘From the Shadows’ and the single ‘Bird of Paradise’ in 2019. Both were well received.

Along with …
Tony Phillips with the Doghouse Collective

The Doghouse Ceilidh Band has been around for over 25 years as a tight knit, professional barn dance outfit with a wide range of tunes and dances from across the UK and the USA, Doghouse are also a collective of eclectic musicians interested in collaborations and fusions beyond the standard ceilidh repertoire Tony Phillips (mandola, guitars) Richard Twinn (mandolin, banjo, harp and guitar) Tony Mace (whistles, flute) Marie Mace (bodhran, percussion) Clare Edwardson (fiddle, electric violin) Andrew Martin (cahon)
https://doghousecollective.org/

Along with …
Stewart Murdoch

“An enthusiastic amateur at virtually everything, including songwriting and music” … Stewart Murdoch
What an understatement … Cee Dub LOL

Along with …
Lloyd Crowley and the Ware Ukulele Group

The Ware Ukulele Group founded 2015 has around 25 members, and is still growing! The group play all sorts of songs, and our repertoire spans around 100 years of music! We have everything from the expected George Formby and Israel Kamakawiwo’ole to Rag N Bone Man and Iron Maiden

www.wareukegroup.co.uk

SHOWCASE
Friday 14th October

At The Royal British Legion
7:30 for 8pm to 11pm
£7 cash or card on the door

Featuring …
Lizzy Hardingham

After appearing as a finalist in 2018’s New Roots competition she has gone from strength to strength. Lizzy has had success in the Herts, Milkmaid Folk Club and Watford Folk Song songwriting competitions as well the Royston Young Artists competition. Her sensitively penned songs have been spun on radio stations throughout the UK, across the pond and in Europe; with BBC Cambridgeshire heralding her as “A truly passionate and important voice” . Indomitable folk musician and ornate songstress, Lizzy Hardingham, is paving her way as a powerhouse performer with “beautifully delivered songs that sing straight to the heart”. 2019 saw her storm the UK folk club and festival scene, including Cambridge Folk Festival, while in 2020 she captivated online audiences with “a voice that could fill a stadium and the sensitivity to bring a room to attentive silence”. Post covid she is emerging gracefully into the world of headline shows. Having been nominated for FATEA’s coveted Female Artist of The Year, Lizzy is currently being mentored by the English Folk Expo and working on “firmly nailing her place as one of the rising stars of the folk scene”
Her new album ‘How Did We Get Here’ tours and is released in October! 
https://www.lizzyhardingham.com/

Along with …
Kaszak & Afifi

We play our own compositions and covers (mostly about rabbits or highwaymen LOL) all of them acoustic music with warm voices and close harmonies. Our instruments are guitars, violas, fiddles, cello mandoline, cello and a cuatro.

Along with …
Mike Excell

Winner of the Watford Folk Club 2014 Song Contest, Mike Excell, is a joy to listen to with his topical story songs For example he reprises his winning song in this video: “Scorecards In Stone”

Along with …
Tom Penn

Solo singer songwriter, previously the guitarist and singer of the band Camisayo. Tom is an accomplished guitarist and soulful singer playing a range of styles. He plays a mix of blues and traditional folk music but writes original songs with an individual sound.

Along with …
Carol Cullen Smith

Bringing us some u-accompanied songs

SHOWCASE
Friday 28th October

At The Royal British Legion
7:30 for 8pm to 11pm
£7 cash or card on the door

Featuring
Kelvin Davies & Gary Jones

Why would a fella all the way over in England deserve a full profile in thecountryblues.com, ?
One of the missions of this acoustic blues directory is not just to feature the famous, but those who should be. Here is one of them, from Stevenage. He works at the Coda Music store and, well, go figure, he plays guitar, and not just a little. Here is one fine fingerpicker and singer. Supported by his buddy on ‘harp’ Gary Jones

Along with …
Causton & Walker
Bryan and Penny play together in SO many collaborations but this is the intimate duo set …. fine and pure

TBC

TBC

SHOWCASE
Friday 11th November

At The Royal British Legion
7:30 for 8pm to 11pm
£7 cash or card on the door

Featuring …
Sky West

We’re acoustic. We love playing covers, but the stuff we love is sixties pop and blues, because that’s what’s hidden in our subconscious. Confusingly, we also write songs, in many different styles so you never know what’s coming next. We formed in 2010. Since then, we’ve been steadily building a reputation for thoughtful lyrics, sudden surprises, and unpredictable verbal introductions. Privately, we frequently come to blows over country music.

Along with
Anna Hester

Anna Hester has a ‘powerful and confident voice’ (Fatea 2014), and moves ‘effortlessly between genres, but always with an emotional core’ (Cambridge Music Reviews 2018). Originally from Milton Keynes, Anna now lives in Cambridge. She was featured in the Fatea Showcase Sessions in 2019, and her music has been played on BBC Introducing Cambridgeshire and the BBC Radio Cambridgeshire Folk Show.
https://annahester.com

TBC

TBC

SHOWCASE
Friday 25th November

At The Royal British Legion
7:30 for 8pm to 11pm
£7 cash or card on the door

Featuring …
Cambridge & Walker

David and Jenna … truly a most impressive …a classic blend of traditional and contemporary material, layered intelligently and contextually into an abiding listening pleasure.’ – FATEA

Also …
Mandy Woods

TBC

TBC

SHOWCASE
Friday 9th December

THIS WILL BE OUR XMAS PARTY
At The Royal British Legion
7:30 for 8pm to 11pm
£7 cash or card on the door

Featuring …
Tenneson Mells

Soulful vocals and close harmony singing set to a backdrop of intricate acoustic guitar arrangements. Our performances are laced with classic guitar solos, delicate fingerpicking and blues harmonica, and our repertoire spans a century of modern music. Pembroke [highly commended Royston young musician] and Dan have over 25 years of live performance experience, and have played notable venues including The O2 Arena, Cambridge Folk Club, London Live TV, Notting Hill Arts Club, and Essex Live Lounge. Clients include famous chefs, SKY TV, Silverstone, and many more.Their own original music has received extensive radio play on the BBC, Radio Caroline and beyond.

Along with
The String Section

The String Section are a Cambridge-based transatlantic string band, playing a hearty mix of Americana, country, folk, bluegrass, fiddle tunes and blues. Sometimes with a classic vocal if your lucky …
https://www.facebook.com/The-String-Section

TBC

TBC

Friday 13th January

At The Royal British Legion
7:30 for 8pm to 11pm
£7 cash or card on the door

Featuring …
Winter Wilson

It is in live performance where these two really excel. Now in their 9th year as full-time musicians, Kip Winter and Dave Wilson bring a sense of intimacy to every venue, blending superb, often hard-hitting original songs, stunning harmonies and musicianship with sometimes hilarious humour and tales of life on the road.
When Mike Harding dubbed Winter Wilson as one of the hardest working duos on the circuit, he’d clearly done his homewor​k. In 2019 ​aside from touring around the UK, Winter Wilson performed in Australia, Spain, Belgium and Canada. They also released Live & Unconventional, the long-awaited live album, recorded on tour and at Cropredy Festival ​(video here) ​ with folk rock icons Fairport Convention. The reviews have been exceptional
https://winterwilson.com

Along with …
TBC

Along with …
TBC

Friday 27th January

At The Royal British Legion
7:30 for 8pm to 11pm
£15 cash or card on the door

Featuring …
Vicki Swan & Johny Dyer

This thoroughly entertaining duo have developed an enviable reputation for their ability to reimagine folk and folk dance music; creating sounds that are simultaneously new and progressive, and yet entirely sympathetic to the tradition. You are very likely to find yourself dancing to a song – and we dare you not to sing the chorus as you go.
Vicki studied at the Royal College of Music on the double bass. She also plays the various types of bagpipes, flute, recorder, piano and nyckelharpa (Swedish keyed
-fiddle).
Composer and competition-winning guitar player; Jonny’s outstanding technical ability, coupled with a wide-ranging musical taste has made him a tireless and forceful musical innovator. Jonny has been singing and playing choral music, soul, jazz and folk for as long as he can remember.
http://www.swan-dyer.co.uk/

TBC

Friday 10th February

At The Royal British Legion
7:30 for 8pm to 11pm
£TBC cash or card on the door

Featuring …
That Blue Patch

“Two people, many instruments and a quirky take on songs old and new”. Performing with their own take on songs from as far back as the 1920s to as recent as the 21st century. Favoured influences are Americana, Blues and Jazz.  Great fun and humour is to be had wherever they play. Influences include Tom Waits, Lyle Lovett, Doris Day, Bob Dylan, Maren Morris, Memphis Minnie, Bonnie Raitt, Bessie Smith, Lemmy…..the list goes on.

Along with …
Kelly and Woolley

Launching their NEW Album Matt Kelly & Gary Woolley, an acoustic duo playing their own songs and their original versions of Cajun, Country, folk

TBC

TBC

Friday 24th February

At The Royal British Legion
7:30 for 8pm to 11pm
£15 cash or card on the door

Featuring … Chris Wood

Chris in his solo incantation is folk royalty and you are guaranteed a sensational night.
In 2006 the BBC Radio 2 Folk awards, the Best Original Song category was won by Chris Wood (and storyteller Hugh Lupton) for One in a Million, a modern retelling of a widespread traditional tale in which a lost ring is rediscovered in the stomach of a fish. In the same year he was also nominated in three other categories: Best Album for The Lark Descending, Best Traditional Track for Lord Bateman ……and …. Folk Singer of the Year.
In 2009, the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards recognised Wood as Folk Singer of the Year, and his album Trespasser was also recognised as Album of the Year.
In 2011, Chris Wood again tasted success at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards, where he was recognised again as Folk Singer of the Year as well as winning Song of the Year for his song Hollow Point, from his album ‘The Handmade Life’, a song about the shooting of Jean Charles de Menezes
http://chriswoodmusic.co.uk/

Support by Mark Gamon

Our very own Mark with a solo set

‘A fine guitarist, singer and songwriter, in styles from folk to blues to jazz… it’s a great collection of stories and a very good listen…’……….UNICORN MAGAZINE

‘The songs really do sparkle with the journeys that are recounted… lives being characterised in sympathetically expressed lyrics…’…….R2 MAGAZINE

‘Genuinely witty in places – running almost contradictory to a blues undertone that reaches through the album… It definitely grows on you…’………FATEA

https://www.markgamon.com/

Friday 10th March

At The Royal British Legion
7:30 for 8pm to 11pm
£15 cash or card on the door

Featuring … TBC

Friday 14th April

At The Royal British Legion
7:30 for 8pm to 11pm
£15 cash or card on the door

Featuring …
Steve Christopher